Veteran in crisis? Dial 988 then press 1 · Text 838255 Next observance: Navy Birthday · October 13
Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

First Sergeant · U.S. Army

David Roche

First Sergeant David Roche, Army, received the Medal of Honor for actions on October 21, 1876 at Cedar Creek, etc., Montana during the Indian Campaigns.

Indian Campaigns October 21, 1876Born in Ireland

Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, First Sergeant David Roche received the Medal of Honor for his actions on October 21, 1876 at Cedar Creek, etc., Montana during the Indian Campaigns. At the time he was serving with Company A, 5th U.S. Infantry. Roche was 38 years old.

29 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on July 18, 1877.

Roche was born on May 1, 1838 in County Kerry, Ireland — one of 258 recipients born in Ireland. His Medal of Honor is credited to New York, New York. Roche died on November 19, 1914 in Worcester, Massachusetts, at the age of 76. He is buried at Hope Cemetery in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Roche is one of 426 Medal of Honor recipients from the Indian Campaigns and one of 678 credited to New York.

Official Medal of Honor citation

Gallantry in action.

Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.

Timeline

  1. May 1, 1838
    Born in County Kerry, Ireland
  2. October 21, 1876
    Act of valor — Cedar Creek, etc., Montana
    Age 38. Company A, 5th U.S. Infantry
  3. July 18, 1877
    Medal of Honor presented
  4. November 19, 1914
    Died in Worcester, Massachusetts
    Age 76.
  5. Resting place
    Hope Cemetery
    Worcester, Massachusetts

Also honored for actions on October 21, 1876

JB John Baker Musician · Army Indian Campaigns · 1876 RB Richard Burke Private · Army Indian Campaigns · 1876 DB Denis Byrne Sergeant · Army Indian Campaigns · 1876 JC Joseph A. Cable Private · Army Indian Campaigns · 1876 JC James Spencer Calvert Private · Army Indian Campaigns · 1876 AC Aquilla Coonrod Sergeant · Army Indian Campaigns · 1876 JD John S. Donelly Private · Army Indian Campaigns · 1876 CF Christopher Freemeyer Private · Army Indian Campaigns · 1876 JH John Haddoo Corporal · Army Indian Campaigns · 1876 HH Henry Hogan Private · Army Indian Campaigns · 1876 DH David Holland Corporal · Army Indian Campaigns · 1876 EJ Edward Johnston Corporal · Army Indian Campaigns · 1876

See all 30 recipients for October 21, 1876 →

More Indian Campaigns recipients from New York

GM George Moquin Corporal · Army Indian Campaigns · 1879 WK William Koelpin Sergeant · Army Indian Campaigns · 1874 TM Thomas Murray Sergeant · Army Indian Campaigns · 1876 Frank West First Lieutenant · Army Indian Campaigns · 1882 TK Thomas Kelly Private · Army Indian Campaigns · 1874 EB Edward Branagan Private · Army Indian Campaigns · 1872
Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.