Leroy H. Vokes
Encyclopedia
Leroy H. Vokes was an American
soldier in the U.S. Army
who served with the 3rd U.S. Cavalry during the Indian Wars
. A veteran of campaigns against the Plains Indians
, he was one of four men who received the Medal of Honor
for "gallantry in action" against hostile Indians at the Loupe Fork of the Platte River
in Nebraska
on April 26, 1872.
on November 12, 1849. He later moved to St. Louis, Missouri
where he enlisted in the U.S. Army. Volkes was assigned to 3rd U.S. Cavalry and took part in a number of campaigns against the Plains Indians
during the early 1870s. On April 26, 1872, Volkes was one of four men received the Medal of Honor
for "gallantry in action" battling Indians at the Loupe Fork of the Platte River
in Nebraska
. The other recipients were Sergeant John H. Foley, Private William H. Strayer and civilian scout William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody
.
Citation:
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soldier in the U.S. 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...
who served with the 3rd 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...
. A veteran of campaigns against the Plains Indians
Plains Indians
The Plains Indians are the Indigenous peoples who live on the plains and rolling hills of the Great Plains of North America. Their colorful equestrian culture and resistance to White domination have made the Plains Indians an archetype in literature and art for American Indians everywhere.Plains...
, he was one of four men who 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 in action" against hostile Indians at the Loupe Fork of the Platte River
Platte River
The Platte River is a major river in the state of Nebraska and is about long. Measured to its farthest source via its tributary the North Platte River, it flows for over . The Platte River is a tributary of the Missouri River, which in turn is a tributary of the Mississippi River which flows to...
in Nebraska
Nebraska
Nebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River....
on April 26, 1872.
Biography
Leroy H. Vokes was born in Lake County, IllinoisLake County, Illinois
Lake County is a county in the northeastern corner of the state of Illinois, on the shore of Lake Michigan. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 703,462, which is an increase of 9.2% from 644,356 in 2000. Its county seat is Waukegan. The county is part of the Chicago metropolitan area...
on November 12, 1849. He later moved to St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
where he enlisted in the U.S. Army. Volkes was assigned to 3rd U.S. Cavalry and took part in a number of campaigns against the Plains Indians
Plains Indians
The Plains Indians are the Indigenous peoples who live on the plains and rolling hills of the Great Plains of North America. Their colorful equestrian culture and resistance to White domination have made the Plains Indians an archetype in literature and art for American Indians everywhere.Plains...
during the early 1870s. On April 26, 1872, Volkes was one of 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 in action" battling Indians at the Loupe Fork of the Platte River
Platte River
The Platte River is a major river in the state of Nebraska and is about long. Measured to its farthest source via its tributary the North Platte River, it flows for over . The Platte River is a tributary of the Missouri River, which in turn is a tributary of the Mississippi River which flows to...
in Nebraska
Nebraska
Nebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River....
. The other recipients were Sergeant John H. Foley, Private William H. Strayer and civilian scout William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody
Buffalo Bill
William Frederick "Buffalo Bill" Cody was a United States soldier, bison hunter and showman. He was born in the Iowa Territory , in LeClaire but lived several years in Canada before his family moved to the Kansas Territory. Buffalo Bill received the Medal of Honor in 1872 for service to the US...
.
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: First Sergeant, Company B, 3d U.S. Cavalry. Place and date: At Loupe Fork, Platte River, Nebr., 26 April 1872. Entered service at:------. Birth: Lake County, Ill. Date of issue: 22 May 1872.Citation:
Gallantry in action.
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Indian Wars