Otto Voit
Encyclopedia
Otto Emil Voit was a United States Army
soldier and a recipient of America's highest military decoration—the Medal of Honor
—for his actions in the Battle of the Little Bighorn
.
13th Infantry during the American Civil War
in December 1864. He was a "saddler" (saddle
-maker) in Germany and with the U.S. Army. He deserted his unit at a Missouri River post on February 21, 1866 and subsequently reenlisted in Company H of George Armstrong Custer
's Seventh Cavalry
in December 1866 using the alias Frank May. On December 5, 1873 he surrendered as a deserter and received clemency by Presidential proclamation.
Voit was wounded in the Reno-Benteen hilltop action at the Little Bighorn. He was issued the Medal of Honor on October 5, 1878 for his actions during the battle, specifically for providing covering fire for his comrades who went to get water for the wounded on June 25, 1876.
Voit was discharged in 1898 as Saddler Sergeant at Fort Grant, Arizona
. He moved to Louisville, Kentucky
and in 1902 became a United States citizen. He died of influenza
at age 61 and was buried in Saint Stephens Cemetery in Louisville.
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...
soldier 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 in the Battle of the Little Bighorn
Battle of the Little Bighorn
The Battle of the Little Bighorn, also known as Custer's Last Stand and, by the Indians involved, as the Battle of the Greasy Grass, was an armed engagement between combined forces of Lakota, Northern Cheyenne and Arapaho people against the 7th Cavalry Regiment of the United States Army...
.
Biography
Voit immigrated to the United States in 1862, and enlisted in the Union ArmyUnion Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
13th Infantry during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
in December 1864. He was a "saddler" (saddle
Saddle
A saddle is a supportive structure for a rider or other load, fastened to an animal's back by a girth. The most common type is the equestrian saddle designed for a horse, but specialized saddles have been created for camels and other creatures...
-maker) in Germany and with the U.S. Army. He deserted his unit at a Missouri River post on February 21, 1866 and subsequently reenlisted in Company H of George Armstrong Custer
George Armstrong Custer
George Armstrong Custer was a United States Army officer and cavalry commander in the American Civil War and the Indian Wars. Raised in Michigan and Ohio, Custer was admitted to West Point in 1858, where he graduated last in his class...
's Seventh Cavalry
U.S. 7th Cavalry Regiment
The 7th Cavalry Regiment is a United States Army Cavalry Regiment, whose lineage traces back to the mid-19th century. Its official nickname is "Garryowen," in honor of the Irish air Garryowen that was adopted as its march tune....
in December 1866 using the alias Frank May. On December 5, 1873 he surrendered as a deserter and received clemency by Presidential proclamation.
Voit was wounded in the Reno-Benteen hilltop action at the Little Bighorn. He was issued the Medal of Honor on October 5, 1878 for his actions during the battle, specifically for providing covering fire for his comrades who went to get water for the wounded on June 25, 1876.
Voit was discharged in 1898 as Saddler Sergeant at Fort Grant, 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...
. He moved to Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kentucky, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Since 2003, the city's borders have been coterminous with those of the county because of a city-county merger. The city's population at the 2010 census was 741,096...
and in 1902 became a United States citizen. He died of influenza
Influenza
Influenza, commonly referred to as the flu, is an infectious disease caused by RNA viruses of the family Orthomyxoviridae , that affects birds and mammals...
at age 61 and was buried in Saint Stephens Cemetery in Louisville.
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Saddler, Company H, 7th U.S. Cavalry. Place and date: At Little Big Horn, Mont., June 25, 1876. Entered service at: ------. Birth: Germany. Date of issue: October 5, 1878.Citation:
Volunteered with George Geiger, Charles Windolph, and Henry Mechlin to hold an exposed position standing erect on the brow of the hill facing the Little Big Horn River. They fired constantly in this manner for more than 20 minutes diverting fire and attention from another group filling canteens of water that were desperately needed.
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients
- List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Indian Wars
- Otto Voit Military Record History