William McBryar
Encyclopedia
William McBryar 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 during the Cherry Creek Campaign
in Arizona Territory
.
McBryar joined the Army from New York City
and by March 7, 1890 was serving as a Sergeant in Company K of the 10th Cavalry Regiment. On that day, he participated in an engagement in Arizona
where he "[d]istinguished himself for coolness, bravery and marksmanship while his troop was in pursuit of hostile Apache
Indians." For his actions, Sergeant McBryar was awarded the Medal of Honor two months later, on May 15, 1890.
McBryar later became a commissioned officer and left the Army as a First Lieutenant. He died at age 80 and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery
, Arlington County, Virginia
.
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 during the Cherry Creek Campaign
Cherry Creek Campaign
The Cherry Creek Campaign occurred in March of 1890 and was one of the final conflicts between hostile Apaches and the United States Army. It began after a small group of Apaches killed a freight wagon operator near the San Carlos Reservation and was part of the larger Apache Campaign, beginning in...
in 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....
.
McBryar joined the Army from New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and by March 7, 1890 was serving as a Sergeant in Company K of the 10th Cavalry Regiment. On that day, he participated in an engagement in Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
where he "[d]istinguished himself for coolness, bravery and marksmanship while his troop was in pursuit of 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...
Indians." For his actions, Sergeant McBryar was awarded the Medal of Honor two months later, on May 15, 1890.
McBryar later became a commissioned officer and left the Army as a First Lieutenant. He died at age 80 and was 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...
, Arlington County, Virginia
Arlington County, Virginia
Arlington County is a county in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The land that became Arlington was originally donated by Virginia to the United States government to form part of the new federal capital district. On February 27, 1801, the United States Congress organized the area as a subdivision of...
.
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Sergeant, Company K, 1 0th U.S. Cavalry. Place and date: Salt River, Arizona, 7 March 1890. Entered service at: New York, N.Y. Birth: 14 February 1861, Elizabethtown, N.C. Date of issue: 15 May 1890.Citation:
Distinguished himself for coolness, bravery and marksmanship while his troop was in pursuit of hostile Apache Indians.
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients
- List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Indian Wars