First Lieutenant Frank West, a soldier in the U.S. Army, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on July 17, 1882 in Big Dry Wash, Arizona during the Indian Campaigns. At the time he was serving with 6th U.S. Cavalry. West was 31 years old.
3 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on July 12, 1892, 9 years after the action. He later rose to the rank of Colonel.
West was born on September 26, 1850 in Mohawk, Herkimer County, New York. West died on August 26, 1923 in Mohawk, New York, at the age of 72. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.
West 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
Rallied his command and led it in the advance against the enemy's fortified position.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: Apache Wars, American Indian Wars.
Life beyond the battlefield
- Education: United States Military Academy
Source: Wikidata.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in New York →
Timeline
- September 26, 1850Born in Mohawk, Herkimer County, New York
- July 17, 1882Act of valor — Big Dry Wash, ArizonaAge 31. 6th U.S. Cavalry
- July 12, 1892Medal of Honor presented
- August 26, 1923Died in Mohawk, New YorkAge 72.
- Resting placeArlington National CemeteryArlington, Virginia
Biography
Frank West (September 26, 1850 – August 26, 1923) was a United States Army colonel who was a recipient of the Medal of Honor for actions in fighting Indians at the Battle of Big Dry Wash, Arizona. West is an 1872 graduate of West Point.
From the Wikipedia article “Frank West (Medal of Honor)”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
