Bernhard Jetter
Encyclopedia
Bernhard Jetter was a German-born soldier in the U.S. Army
who served with the 7th U.S. Cavalry during the Indian Wars
. He was one of twenty-four men received the Medal of Honor
for gallantry against the Sioux
at the Battle of Wounded Knee in South Dakota
on December 29, 1890.
. Jetter was among the cavalry troops sent to arrest Chief Big Foot and disarm his Sioux
followers and, on the morning of December 29, 1890, surrounded their camp on the banks of Wounded Knee Creek
. In the ensuing battle of Wounded Knee, Jetter and several other soldiers took part in search-and-destroy missions
along White Clay Creek
and were cited for "distinguished bravery" in skirmishes against the Sioux. Jetter himself was witnessed "killing an Indian who was in the act of killing a wounded man" in his unit. He and twenty-four other members of his regiment were received the Medal of Honor
on April 24, 1891. Jetter returned to Brooklyn after leaving military service and died in Brooklyn
on August 23, 1927, at the age of 65. He was interred at Cypress Hills National Cemetery
. His wife Rose died 31 years later and was buried next to him.
Citation:
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...
who served with the 7th U.S. Cavalry during 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...
. He was one of twenty-four men received 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 gallantry against the Sioux
Sioux
The Sioux are Native American and First Nations people in North America. The term can refer to any ethnic group within the Great Sioux Nation or any of the nation's many language dialects...
at the Battle of Wounded Knee in South Dakota
South Dakota
South Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States. It is named after the Lakota and Dakota Sioux American Indian tribes. Once a part of Dakota Territory, South Dakota became a state on November 2, 1889. The state has an area of and an estimated population of just over...
on December 29, 1890.
Biography
Bernhard Jetter was born in Wurttemberg, Germany in 1862. He later emigrated to New York City, New York where he enlisted in the U.S. Army. Jetter became a member of the 7th US Cavalry and eventually reached the rank of sergeantSergeant
Sergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world. Its origins are the Latin serviens, "one who serves", through the French term Sergent....
. Jetter was among the cavalry troops sent to arrest Chief Big Foot and disarm his Sioux
Sioux
The Sioux are Native American and First Nations people in North America. The term can refer to any ethnic group within the Great Sioux Nation or any of the nation's many language dialects...
followers and, on the morning of December 29, 1890, surrounded their camp on the banks of Wounded Knee Creek
Wounded Knee Creek
Wounded Knee Creek is a tributary of the White River, approximately long, in southwestern South Dakota in the United States. Its Lakota name is '....
. In the ensuing battle of Wounded Knee, Jetter and several other soldiers took part in search-and-destroy missions
Search and destroy
Search and Destroy, Seek and Destroy, or even simply S&D, refers to a military strategy that became a notorious component of the Vietnam War. The idea was to insert ground forces into hostile territory, search out the enemy, destroy them, and withdraw immediately afterward...
along White Clay Creek
White Clay Creek
White Clay Creek is an tributary of the Christina River in southern Pennsylvania and northern Delaware in the United States. It is renowned for its scenic character and is largely federally protected....
and were cited for "distinguished bravery" in skirmishes against the Sioux. Jetter himself was witnessed "killing an Indian who was in the act of killing a wounded man" in his unit. He and twenty-four other members of his regiment were received 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...
on April 24, 1891. Jetter returned to Brooklyn after leaving military service and died in Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
on August 23, 1927, at the age of 65. He was interred at Cypress Hills National Cemetery
Cypress Hills National Cemetery
Cypress Hills National Cemetery is the only United States National Cemetery in New York City and has more than 21,100 interments of veterans and civilians. There are 24 Medal of Honor recipients buried in the cemetery, including three men who won the award twice...
. His wife Rose died 31 years later and was buried next to him.
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Sergeant, Company K, 7th U.S. Cavalry. Place and date: At Sioux campaign, December 1890. Entered service at: ------. Birth: Germany. Date of issue: 24 April 1891.Citation:
Distinguished bravery.
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Indian Wars