Patrick Golden
Encyclopedia
Patrick Golden was an Irish-born soldier in the U.S. Army
who served with the 8th U.S. Cavalry during the Indian Wars
. He was one of 34 men received the Medal of Honor
for "bravery in scouts and actions" in several engagements against the Apache Indians
in the Arizona Territory
from August to October 1868.
. He became a member of the 8th U.S. Cavalry and was assigned to frontier duty in the Arizona Territory
. From August to October 1868, Golden was part of a small force, one of two companies numbering 50-60 troopers, tasked to protect settlements from Apache
war parties
. In this 90-day period, Golden and other soldiers frequently faced the Apaches in heavy fighting, especially in ambushes and sniper attacks, during their patrols. At the end of the campaign, Golden was one of 34 soldiers to receive the Medal of Honor
for "bravery in scouts and actions against Indians". The men of the regiment were officially issued the award on July 24, 1869, in one of the largest Medal of Honor presentations at the time. Golden died in Brooklyn, New York on May 25, 1872, at age 36. He was buried in Cypress Hills National Cemetery
.
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 8th 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 34 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 "bravery in scouts and actions" in several engagements against the Apache Indians
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...
in the Arizona Territory
Arizona Territory
The Territory of Arizona was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from February 24, 1863 until February 14, 1912, when it was admitted to the Union as the 48th state....
from August to October 1868.
Biography
A native of County Sligo, Ireland, Patrick Golden emigrated to the United States and eventually enlisted in the U.S. Army in San Francisco, CaliforniaSan Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
. He became a member of the 8th U.S. Cavalry and was assigned to frontier duty in the Arizona Territory
Arizona Territory
The Territory of Arizona was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from February 24, 1863 until February 14, 1912, when it was admitted to the Union as the 48th state....
. From August to October 1868, Golden was part of a small force, one of two companies numbering 50-60 troopers, tasked to protect settlements from 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...
war parties
Raid (military)
Raid, also known as depredation, is a military tactic or operational warfare mission which has a specific purpose and is not normally intended to capture and hold terrain, but instead finish with the raiding force quickly retreating to a previous defended position prior to the enemy forces being...
. In this 90-day period, Golden and other soldiers frequently faced the Apaches in heavy fighting, especially in ambushes and sniper attacks, during their patrols. At the end of the campaign, Golden was one of 34 soldiers to receive 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 "bravery in scouts and actions against Indians". The men of the regiment were officially issued the award on July 24, 1869, in one of the largest Medal of Honor presentations at the time. Golden died in Brooklyn, New York on May 25, 1872, at age 36. He was buried in 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...
.
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Sergeant, Company B, 8th U.S. Cavalry. Place and date: Arizona, August to October 1868. Entered service at: ------. Birth: Ireland. Date of issue: 24 July 1869.Citation:
Bravery in scouts and actions against Indians.
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Indian Wars