William G. Austin
Encyclopedia
William Graston Austin (January 6, 1868 – July 15, 1929) was an American
officer in the U.S. Army
who served with the 7th U.S. Cavalry during the Indian Wars
. He was a veteran Indian fighter who fought against the Plains Indians
for much of his military career. Austin received the Medal of Honor
for gallantry at what was then called, the Battle of Wounded Knee, but now called the Wounded Knee Massacre
on December 29, 1890.
on January 6, 1868. He later moved to New York City
where he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He spent much of his career with the 7th U.S. Cavalry, becoming an experienced Indian fighter on the frontier, and eventually rose to the rank of colonel
. He participated in numerous campaigns against the Plains Indians
, including the Sioux
, and was cited for bravery at the Wounded Knee
on December 29, 1890. On June 17, 1891, he officially received the Medal of Honor
for commanding troops “while the Indians were concealed in a ravine, assisted men on the skirmish line, directing their fire, etc., and using every effort to dislodge the enemy". After his retirement from the military, Austin returned to New York and lived in the city for a few years before moving to Palo Alto, California
where he died on July 15, 1929. His body was cremated at Cypress Lawn Memorial Park, and the ashes delivered to the Roller and Hapgood mortuary, but its final whereabouts is not known.
The MOH status of the 18 men, including Austin, who received the award at Wounded Knee was called into question during a congressional hearing
by Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell
on July 29, 1993, who suggested that their medals should be rescinded given the controversial nature of the battle.
Citation:
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
officer 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 7th 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 a veteran Indian fighter who fought 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...
for much of his military career. Austin 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 at what was then called, the Battle of Wounded Knee, but now called the Wounded Knee Massacre
Wounded Knee Massacre
The Wounded Knee Massacre happened on December 29, 1890, near Wounded Knee Creek on the Lakota Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, USA. On the day before, a detachment of the U.S. 7th Cavalry Regiment commanded by Major Samuel M...
on December 29, 1890.
Biography
William Graston (Grafton) Austin was born in Galveston, TexasGalveston, Texas
Galveston is a coastal city located on Galveston Island in the U.S. state of Texas. , the city had a total population of 47,743 within an area of...
on January 6, 1868. He later moved to 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...
where he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He spent much of his career with the 7th U.S. Cavalry, becoming an experienced Indian fighter on the frontier, and eventually rose to the rank of colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
. He participated in numerous 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...
, including the Sioux
Sioux
The Sioux are Native American and First Nations people in North America. The term can refer to any ethnic group within the Great Sioux Nation or any of the nation's many language dialects...
, and was cited for bravery at the Wounded Knee
Wounded Knee Massacre
The Wounded Knee Massacre happened on December 29, 1890, near Wounded Knee Creek on the Lakota Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, USA. On the day before, a detachment of the U.S. 7th Cavalry Regiment commanded by Major Samuel M...
on December 29, 1890. On June 17, 1891, he officially 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 commanding troops “while the Indians were concealed in a ravine, assisted men on the skirmish line, directing their fire, etc., and using every effort to dislodge the enemy". After his retirement from the military, Austin returned to New York and lived in the city for a few years before moving to Palo Alto, California
Palo Alto, California
Palo Alto is a California charter city located in the northwest corner of Santa Clara County, in the San Francisco Bay Area of California, United States. The city shares its borders with East Palo Alto, Mountain View, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Stanford, Portola Valley, and Menlo Park. It is...
where he died on July 15, 1929. His body was cremated at Cypress Lawn Memorial Park, and the ashes delivered to the Roller and Hapgood mortuary, but its final whereabouts is not known.
The MOH status of the 18 men, including Austin, who received the award at Wounded Knee was called into question during a congressional hearing
Congressional hearing
Congressional hearings are the principal formal method by which committees collect and analyze information in the early stages of legislative policymaking. Whether confirmation hearings — a procedure unique to the Senate — legislative, oversight, investigative, or a combination of these, all...
by Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell
Ben Nighthorse Campbell
Benjamin Nighthorse Campbell is an American politician. He was a U.S. Senator from Colorado from 1993 until 2005 and was during his tenure the only American Indian serving in the U.S. Congress. Campbell was a three term U.S. Representative from 1987 to 1993, when he was sworn into office as a...
on July 29, 1993, who suggested that their medals should be rescinded given the controversial nature of the battle.
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Sergeant, Company E, 7th U.S. Cavalry. Place and date: At Wounded Knee Creek, S. Dak., 29 December 1890. Entered service at: New York, N.Y. Birth: Galveston, Tex. Date of issue: 27 June 1891.Citation:
While the Indians were concealed in a ravine, assisted men on the skirmish line, directing their fire, etc., and using every effort to dislodge the enemy.
Further reading
- Wilson, D. Ray. Terror on the Plains: A Clash of Cultures. Dundee, Illinois: Crossroads Communications, 1999. ISBN 0-916-44547-X