George Horace Morgan was an American cavalry

Cavalry

Cavalry or horsemen were soldiers or warriors who fought mounted on horseback. Cavalry were historically the third oldest and the most mobile of the combat arms...

 officer and 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...

 recipient. He was the son of a Civil War general, George N. Morgan

George N. Morgan

George Nelson Morgan was a Union general in the American Civil War. Morgan was born in Ontario, Canada, then moved to Minnesota and took up shipbuilding. He joined the 1st Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and advanced from Private to Colonel, commanding the 1st Minnesota at the Battle of...

, and graduated from West Point, the U.S. Military Academy

United States Military Academy

The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...

, in 1880.

Morgan served in all the United States' wars from 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...

 to 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...

. He was wounded by an Apache in the Battle of Big Dry Fork in the Arizona Territory in 1882, for which he 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...

. The bullet remained near his heart for over 60 years until it shifted in 1948 and caused his death. He is the namesake of Camp Morgan in Bosnia

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...

. Three other men, First Lieutenant Frank West

Frank West (Medal of Honor)

Frank West was a United States Army Colonel who was a recipient of the Medal of Honor for actions in fighting Indians at the Battle of Big Dry Wash, Arizona. West is an 1872 graduate of West Point....

, Second Lieutenant Thomas Cruse

Thomas Cruse

Thomas Cruse was a United States Army Brigadier General who was a recipient of the Medal of Honor for valor in action on July 17, 1882, at the Battle of Big Dry Wash, Arizona. An 1879 graduate of West Point, he served in numerous campaigns on the Western Frontier and later in the Philippines...

 and First Sergeant Charles Taylor

Charles Taylor (Medal of Honor)

Charles Taylor was an American cavalry soldier and Medal of Honor recipient. He was cited for "gallantry in action" in the Battle of Big Dry Wash in the Arizona Territory in 1882, for which he received the Medal of Honor. Three other men, First Lieutenant Frank West, Second Lieutenant Thomas Cruse...

 were also awarded Medals of Honor in this action. West and Cruse are also Academy graduates.

Death and burial

Morgan attained the rank of Colonel, and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery

Arlington National Cemetery

Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia, is a military cemetery in the United States of America, established during the American Civil War on the grounds of Arlington House, formerly the estate of the family of Confederate general Robert E. Lee's wife Mary Anna Lee, a great...

.

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, 3d U.S. Cavalry. Place and date: At Big Dry Fork, Ariz., July 17, 1882. Entered service at: Minneapolis, Minn. Birth: Canada. Date of issue: July 15, 1892.

Citation:

Gallantly held his ground at a critical moment and fired upon the advancing enemy (hostile Indians) until he was disabled by a shot.

See also

• List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Indian Wars

External links