Rudolph von Medem (c. 1846 – unknown) was a German-born American soldier in the U.S. Army who served with the 5th U.S. Cavalry during the Indian Wars. He was one of three men received the Medal of Honor for "gallantry in action and campaigns" against the Western Apaches in the Arizona Territory during the Apache Wars.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]
Rudolph von Medem | |
|---|---|
| Born | c. 1846 Prussia |
| Died | ? |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service | United States Army |
| Years of service | c. 1872–1874 |
| Rank | Sergeant |
| Unit | 5th Cavalry Regiment |
| Battles / wars | Yavapai War |
| Awards | Medal of Honor |
Biography
editRudolph von Medem was born in Prussia[6][7] in about 1846. He later emigrated to the United States and enlisted in the U.S. Army in New York City, New York. He became a member of the 5th U.S. Cavalry and sent out west to the frontier. Serving with distinction against the Apache Indians in the Arizona Territory, he eventually rose to the rank of sergeant. He was one of three regimental members, the others being fellow Sergeants George Deary and Bernard Taylor, who received the Medal of Honor for "gallantry in action and campaigns", specifically during the Battle of Sunset Pass.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]
Medal of Honor citation
editRank and organization: Sergeant, Company A, 5th U.S. Cavalry. Place and date: 1872–73. Entered service at: ------. Birth: Germany. Date of issue: 12 April 1875.
Citation:
Gallantry in actions and campaigns.[8]
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ a b Beyer, Walter F. and Oscar Frederick Keydel, ed. Deeds of Valor: From Records in the Archives of the United States Government; how American Heroes Won the Medal of Honor; History of Our Recent Wars and Explorations, from Personal Reminiscences and Records of Officers and Enlisted Men who Were Rewarded by Congress for Most Conspicuous Acts of Bravery on the Battle-field, on the High Seas and in Arctic Explorations. Vol. 2. Detroit: Perrien-Keydel Company, 1906. (pg. 553)
- ^ a b Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs. Medal of Honor recipients, 1863-1978, 96th Cong., 1st sess. Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office, 1979. (pg. 1021)
- ^ a b Hannings, Bud. A Portrait of the Stars and Stripes. Glenside, Pennsylvania: Seniram Publishing, 1988. (pg. 400) ISBN 0-922564-00-0
- ^ a b O'Neal, Bill. Fighting Men of the Indian Wars: A Biographical Encyclopedia of the Mountain Men, Soldiers, Cowboys, and Pioneers Who Took Up Arms During America's Westward Expansion. Stillwater, Oklahoma: Barbed Wire Press, 1991. (pg. 28) ISBN 0-935269-07-X
- ^ a b Yenne, Bill. Indian Wars: The Campaign for the American West. Yardley, Pennsylvania: Westholme Publishing, 2006. (pg. 150) ISBN 1-59416-016-3
- ^ a b c Sterner, C. Douglas (1999). "MOH Citation for Rudolph Von Medem". MOH Recipients: Indian Campaigns. HomeofHeroes.com. Retrieved June 23, 2010.
- ^ a b c Army Times Publishing Company. "Military Times Hall of Valor: Rudolph Von Medem". Awards and Citations: Medal of Honor. MilitaryTimes.com. Retrieved June 23, 2010.
- ^ "Medal of Honor recipients". Indian War Campaigns. United States Army Center of Military History. June 8, 2009. Archived from the original on August 3, 2013. Retrieved June 29, 2009.