The Indian Wars is the name used by the United States government to describe a series of military conflicts between the United States and Indigenous peoples from 1776 to 1898.
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor was created during the American Civil War and is the highest military decoration presented by the United States government to a member of its armed forces. Receiving the award did not originally require that the recipient must have distinguished themselves at the risk of their own life above and beyond the call of duty in action against an enemy of the United States; that language was added later.
Due to the nature of this medal, it is commonly presented posthumously.
A Image Name Service Rank Place of action Date of action Unit NotesArmyBrazos River, Texas41st U.S. InfantryAttacked with 2 men a force of 11 Indians, drove them from the hills, and reconnoitered the country beyond.ArmyArizona TerritoryIndian ScoutsGallant conduct during campaigns and engagements with Apaches.ArmyTurret Mountain, Arizona TerritoryCompany I, 23d U.S. Infantry"Gallantry in action."ArmyWichita River, TexasCompany M, 6th U.S. CavalryGallantry during the pursuit and fight with Indians.ArmySan Carlos, Arizona TerritoryCompany L, 8th U.S. CavalryWith two other men, voluntarily scouted hostile terrain to find a wagon passage and held off an Apache attackArmyWounded Knee Creek, South DakotaCompany E, 7th U.S. CavalryWhile the Indians were concealed in a ravine, assisted men on the skirmish line, directing their fire, etc., and using every effort to dislodge the enemy.ArmySappa Creek, KansasCompany H, 6th U.S. CavalryRapid pursuit, gallantry, energy, and enterprise in an engagement with Indians.
B
Image Name Service Rank Place of action Date of action Unit NotesArmySpring Creek, Nebraska5th U.S. CavalryLed his men in their defense against an attack by a superior force of Indians.ArmyCompany E, 5th U.S. CavalryGallant conduct during campaigns and engagements with Apaches.Army and AdjutantBear Paw Mountain, Montana Territory5th U.S. InfantryMost distinguished gallantry in action with the Nez Perce Indians.ArmyCedar Creek, etc., Montana Territory – Company D, 5th U.S. InfantryGallantry in engagements.ArmyMcClellans Creek, Texas5th U.S. InfantryFor rescuing two girls being held by Native Americans. Second award, previously received a Medal for actions in the Civil War.ArmyLittle Big Horn, Montana TerritoryCompany A, 7th U.S. CavalryBrought water for the wounded under a most galling fire.ArmyFort Apache, Arizona TerritorySignal CorpsBravery in action in Arizona. The Army Reserve center in Phoenix, Arizona is named for him.ArmySycamore Canyon, Arizona TerritoryCompany A, 1st U.S. CavalryConspicuous gallantry in a charge upon the Tonto Apaches.ArmyArmyCompany B, 5th U.S. CavalryGallant conduct during campaigns and engagements with Apaches.ArmyBig Horn, Montana TerritoryCompany E, 7th U.S. InfantryCarried dispatches to Gen. Crook at the imminent risk of his life.ArmyStaked Plains, Texas4th U.S. CavalryGallantry in a long chase after Indians.ArmyArizona Territory8th U.S. CavalryBravery in scouts and actions against Indians.ArmyNear Elkhorn Creek, Wyoming TerritoryCompany A, 3rd U.S. CavalryLed his men in a defense against an Indian attack, helped the wounded although wounded himselfArmyTurret Mountain, Arizona TerritoryCompany A, 5th U.S. CavalryGallantry in engagements.ArmyArmyCompany I, 1st U.S. CavalryGallant conduct during campaigns and engagements with Apaches.ArmyArmyGallant conduct during campaigns and engagements with Apaches.ArmyWichita River, TexasCompany M, 6th U.S. CavalryGallantry in pursuit of and fight with Indians.ArmyCibicu Creek, Arizona TerritoryCompany D, 6th U.S. CavalryConspicuous and extraordinary bravery in attacking mutinous scouts.ArmyMimbres Mountains, N. Mex. and Cuchillo Negro River near Ojo Caliente, New Mexico Territory and Company C, 9th U.S. CavalryBravery in action.ArmyHell Canyon, Arizona TerritoryCompany L, 8th U.S. CavalryConspicuous gallantry in action.ArmyRed River, TexasCompany F, 4th U.S. Cavalry"Gallantry in action."ArmyLittle Big Horn, Montana TerritoryCompany D, 7th U.S. CavalryBrought water for the wounded under a most galling fire.ArmyNear Fort Selden, New Mexico Territory – Company C, 8th U.S. CavalryServices against hostile Indians.ArmyO'Fallons Creek, Montana Territory2nd U.S. CavalryFearless exposure and dashing bravery in cutting off the Indians' pony herd, thereby greatly crippling the hostiles.ArmySimon Valley, Arizona TerritoryCompany G, 6th U.S. CavalryEngaged singlehanded 2 renegade Indians until his horse was shot under him and then pursued them so long as he was able.ArmyArizona TerritoryCompany B, 8th U.S. CavalryBravery in scouts and actions against Indians.ArmyArizona TerritoryCompany C, 24th U.S. InfantryAlthough shot in the abdomen, in a fight between a paymaster's escort and robbers, did not leave the field until again wounded through both arms.ArmyDavidson Canyon near Camp Crittenden, Arizona TerritoryCompany F, 5th U.S. CavalryIn command of a detachment of 4 men defeated a superior force.ArmyBig Hole, Montana TerritoryCompany A, 7th U.S. InfantryAfter having been severely wounded in right shoulder, continued to do duty in a most courageous manner.ArmyPowder River, Montana TerritoryAccompanied a detachment of cavalry in a charge on a village of hostile Indians and fought through the engagements, having his horse killed under him. He continued to fight on foot, and under severe fire and without assistance conveyed 2 wounded comrades to places of safety, saving them from capture.ArmyBattle of Sugar Point, Leech Lake, MinnesotaHospital CorpsTended Wounded under fire; last Medal of Honor awarded for Indian Wars.ArmyArizona TerritoryCompany B, 8th U.S. CavalryBravery in scouts and actions against Indians.ArmyCedar Creek, etc., Montana Territory – Company G, 5th U.S. InfantryGallantry in engagements.ArmyCuchillo Negro Mountains, New Mexico Territory2nd US CavalrySaved the life of a dismounted soldier, who was in imminent danger of being cut off, by alone galloping quickly to his assistance under heavy fire and escorting him to a place of safety, his horse being twice shot in this action.ArmyWolf Mountains, Montana TerritoryCompany C, 5th U.S. InfantryMost distinguished gallantry in action with hostile Indians.ArmyCedar Creek, etc., Montana Territory – Company G, 5th U.S. InfantryGallantry in engagements.
C Image Name Service Rank Place of action Date of action Unit NotesArmyCedar Creek, etc., Montana Territory – Company I, 5th US Infantry"Gallantry in action."ArmyLittle Big Horn, Montana Territory – Company B, 7th US CavalryDisplayed conspicuously good conduct in assisting to drive away the IndiansSurname misspelled "Callen" on citationArmyCedar Creek, etc., Montana Territory – Company C, 5th US Infantry"Gallantry in action."ArmyLittle Blue, NebraskaCompany C, 2nd US Cavalry"Gallantry in action."ArmyIndian campaigns, Kansas and Colorado – Company H, 10th US CavalryWas gallant and meritorious throughout the campaigns, especially in the combat of October 15 and in the forced march on September 23, 24 and 25 to the relief of Forsyth's Scouts, who were known to be in danger of annihilation by largely superior forces of IndiansArmyChiricahua Mountains, Arizona TerritoryCompany G, 8th US Cavalry"Gallantry in action."ArmyArizona Territory – Company L, 8th US CavalryBravery in scouts and actions against Indians.ArmyArizona Territory – Company B, 8th US CavalryBravery in scouts and actions against Indians.ArmyBear Paw Mountain, Montana Territory5th US CavalryLed a charge under a galling fire, in which he inflicted great loss upon the enemy.ArmyOn Brazos, River, Texas4th US CavalryHeld the left of the line with a few men during the charge of a large body of Indians, after the right of the line had retreated, and by delivering a rapid fire succeeded in checking the enemy until other troops came to the rescue.ArmyCibicu, Arizona Territory6th US CavalryRescued, with the voluntary assistance of 2 soldiers, the wounded from under a heavy fire.ArmyWolf Mountain, Montana TerritoryCompany A, 5th US InfantryLed his command in a successful charge against superior numbers of the enemy strongly posted.ArmyWashita River, Texas"Gallantry in action." Was one of fewer than 10 civilians in history to receive the Medal of Honor. All four cavalry troopers and two civilian scouts in Zachariah T. Woodall's courier detail were awarded the Medal of Honor for this hours-long battle along the Washita River (some texts say Wichita River, a more southerly tributary of the same Red River of the South watershed).ArmyWhite River, South Dakota6th US CavalryHeaded the advance across White River partly frozen, in a spirited movement to the effective assistance of Troop K, 6th U.S. Cavalry.ArmyArmyIndian ScoutsGallant conduct during campaigns and engagements with Apaches.ArmyWounded Knee Creek, South DakotaCompany E, 1st US ArtilleryTwice voluntarily rescued wounded comrades under fire of the enemy.Wilfred ClarkArmyBig Hole, Mont. and Camas Meadows, Idaho Territory and Company L, 2nd US CavalryConspicuous gallantry, especial skill as sharpshooter.ArmyPinito Mountains, Sonora, Mex.10th US CavalryRushed forward to the rescue of a soldier who was severely wounded and lay, disabled, exposed to the enemy's fire, and carried him to a place of safety.ArmyPlatte River, NebraskaCivilian Scout with 3rd US Cavalry"Gallantry in action." Later known as the legendary westerner and showman Buffalo Bill Cody.ArmyStaked Plains, TexasCompany A, 4th US CavalryRan down and killed an Indian.ArmyWichita River, TexasCompany H, 6th US Cavalry"Gallantry in action."ArmyCedar Creek, etc., Montana Territory – Company C, 5th US Infantry"Gallantry in action."ArmyAgua Fria River, Arizona TerritoryCompany E, 8th US Cavalry"Gallantry in action."ArmyRepublican River, KansasPawnee ScoutsAlso known as "Mad Bear"ArmySanta Cruz Mountains, Mex.Company D, 4th US CavalryConspicuous gallantry during an attack on a hostile Apache Indian Camp; seriously wounded.ArmyArizona Territory – Company B, 8th US CavalryBravery in scouts and actions against Indians.ArmyArizona TerritoryCompany L, 8th US Cavalry"Gallantry in action."ArmyLittle Big Horn River, Montana TerritoryCompany B, 7th US CavalryRescued the body of Lt. Hodgson from within the enemy's lines; brought up ammunition and encouraged the men in the most exposed positions under heavy fire.ArmyBig Dry Fork, Arizona Territory6th US CavalryGallantly charged hostile Indians, and with his carbine compelled a party of them to keep under cover of their breastworks, thus being enabled to recover a severely wounded soldier.ArmySan Carlos, Arizona TerritoryCompany L, 8th US CavalryWith 2 other men he volunteered to search for a wagon passage out of a 4,000-foot valley wherein an infantry column was immobile. This small group passed 6 miles among hostile Apache terrain finding the sought passage. On their return trip down the canyon they were attacked by Apache who were successfully held at bay.ArmyLittle Big Horn River, Montana TerritoryCompany B, 7th US CavalryDeclined to leave the line when wounded in the neck during heavy fire and fought bravely all next day.
D