Rudolph von Medem
Encyclopedia
Rudolph von Medem was a German-born soldier in the U.S. Army
who served with the 5th U.S. Cavalry during the Indian Wars
. He was one of three men received the Medal of Honor
for "gallantry in action and campaigns" against the Western Apache
s in the Arizona Territory
during the Apache Wars
.
in 1846. He later emigrated to the United States and enlisted in the U.S. Army in New York City
, New York
. He became a member of the 5th U.S. Cavalry and sent out west to the frontier. Serving with distinction against the Apache Indians
in the Arizona Territory
, he eventually rose to the rank of sergeant
. He was one of three regimental members, the others being fellow Sergeants George Deary and Bernard Taylor, who received the Medal of Honor
for "gallantry in action and campaigns", specifically during the Battle of Sunset Pass
.
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 5th 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 three 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 and campaigns" against the Western Apache
Western Apache
Western Apache refers to the Apache peoples living today primarily in east central Arizona. Most live within reservations. The White Mountain Apache of the Fort Apache, San Carlos, Yavapai-Apache, Tonto Apache, and the Fort McDowell Mohave-Apache Indian reservations are home to the majority of...
s 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....
during the Apache Wars
Apache Wars
The Apache Wars were a series of armed conflicts between the United States and Apaches fought in the Southwest from 1849 to 1886, though other minor hostilities continued until as late as 1924. The Confederate Army participated in the wars during the early 1860s, for instance in Texas, before being...
.
Biography
Rudolph von Medem was born in PrussiaPrussia
Prussia was a German kingdom and historic state originating out of the Duchy of Prussia and the Margraviate of Brandenburg. For centuries, the House of Hohenzollern ruled Prussia, successfully expanding its size by way of an unusually well-organized and effective army. Prussia shaped the history...
in 1846. He later emigrated to the United States and enlisted in the U.S. Army in 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...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. He became a member of the 5th U.S. Cavalry and sent out west to the frontier. Serving with distinction 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....
, he eventually rose to the rank of sergeant
Sergeant
Sergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world. Its origins are the Latin serviens, "one who serves", through the French term Sergent....
. He was one of three regimental members, the others being fellow Sergeants George Deary and Bernard Taylor, 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 and campaigns", specifically during the Battle of Sunset Pass
Battle of Sunset Pass
The Battle of Sunset Pass was fought in November 1874 during the Yavapai War. Following the theft of livestock by a band of Tonto Apaches, a troop of United States Army soldiers was dispatched to track the natives and recover the stolen property...
.
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Sergeant, Company A, 5th U.S. Cavalry. Place and date: 1872-73. Entered service at: ------. Birth: Germany. Date of issue: 12 April 1875.Citation:
Gallantry in actions and campaigns.
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Indian Wars