Augustus Walley
Encyclopedia
Augustus Walley was a Buffalo Soldier
in the United States Army
and a recipient of America's highest military decoration—the Medal of Honor
—for his actions in the Indian Wars
of the western United States
.
On August 16, 1881, Walley was serving as a private
in Company I of the 9th Cavalry Regiment. On that day, Walley participated in an engagement in the Cuchillo Negro Mountains of New Mexico
, where he was cited for "[b]ravery in action with hostile Apache
s" for helping rescue stranded soldiers under heavy fire. His Lieutenant, George Ritter Burnett
, also received the Medal of Honor for this action. Nine years later, on October 1, 1890, he was issued the Medal of Honor for his actions during the engagement.
Walley remained in the Army until 1907, having also served in the Spanish–American War and Philippine–American War. He was recalled to duty during World War I
, reaching the rank of First Sergeant
before leaving the service. He died at age 82 and was buried at Saint Luke's Cemetery in Reisterstown, Maryland
.
Citation:
Buffalo Soldier
Buffalo Soldiers originally were members of the U.S. 10th Cavalry Regiment of the United States Army, formed on September 21, 1866 at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas....
in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
and a recipient of America's highest military decoration—the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
—for his actions in the Indian Wars
Indian Wars
American Indian Wars is the name used in the United States to describe a series of conflicts between American settlers or the federal government and the native peoples of North America before and after the American Revolutionary War. The wars resulted from the arrival of European colonizers who...
of the western United States
Western United States
.The Western United States, commonly referred to as the American West or simply "the West," traditionally refers to the region comprising the westernmost states of the United States. Because the U.S. expanded westward after its founding, the meaning of the West has evolved over time...
.
On August 16, 1881, Walley was serving as a private
Private (rank)
A Private is a soldier of the lowest military rank .In modern military parlance, 'Private' is shortened to 'Pte' in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries and to 'Pvt.' in the United States.Notably both Sir Fitzroy MacLean and Enoch Powell are examples of, rare, rapid career...
in Company I of the 9th Cavalry Regiment. On that day, Walley participated in an engagement in the Cuchillo Negro Mountains of New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
, where he was cited for "[b]ravery in action with hostile Apache
Apache
Apache is the collective term for several culturally related groups of Native Americans in the United States originally from the Southwest United States. These indigenous peoples of North America speak a Southern Athabaskan language, which is related linguistically to the languages of Athabaskan...
s" for helping rescue stranded soldiers under heavy fire. His Lieutenant, George Ritter Burnett
George Ritter Burnett
George Ritter Burnett was a United States Army officer who received the U.S. military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor. He graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1880.-Early life and career:...
, also received the Medal of Honor for this action. Nine years later, on October 1, 1890, he was issued the Medal of Honor for his actions during the engagement.
Walley remained in the Army until 1907, having also served in the Spanish–American War and Philippine–American War. He was recalled to duty during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, reaching the rank of First Sergeant
First Sergeant
First sergeant is the name of a military rank used in many countries, typically a senior non-commissioned officer.-Singapore:First Sergeant is a Specialist in the Singapore Armed Forces. First Sergeants are the most senior of the junior Specialists, ranking above Second Sergeants, and below Staff...
before leaving the service. He died at age 82 and was buried at Saint Luke's Cemetery in Reisterstown, Maryland
Reisterstown, Maryland
Reisterstown is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Baltimore County, Maryland. Founded by German immigrant John Reister in 1758, it is located to the northwest of Baltimore. Though it is older than the areas surrounding it, it now serves primarily as a residential suburb of...
.
Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Private, Company I, 9th U.S. Cavalry. Place and date: At Cuchillo Negro Mountains, N. Mex., August 16, 1881. Entered service at: ------. Birth: Reistertown, Md. Date of issue: October 1, 1890.Citation:
Bravery in action with hostile Apaches.
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients
- List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Indian Wars
- List of African American Medal of Honor recipients