Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, Private Heth Canfield received the Medal of Honor for his actions on May 17, 1870 in Little Blue, Nebraska during the Indian Campaigns. At the time he was serving with Company C, 2d U.S. Cavalry. Canfield was about 21 years old.
4 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on June 22, 1870.
Canfield was born in 1849 in New Milford, Litchfield County, Connecticut. His Medal of Honor is credited to Carlisle, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. Canfield died on December 16, 1913 in St. Augustine, Florida, at the age of about 64. He is buried at Evergreen Cemetery in St. Augustine, Florida.
Canfield is one of 426 Medal of Honor recipients from the Indian Campaigns and one of 380 credited to Pennsylvania.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Gallantry in action.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Timeline
- 1849Born in New Milford, Litchfield County, Connecticut
- May 17, 1870Act of valor — Little Blue, NebraskaAge about 21. Company C, 2d U.S. Cavalry
- June 22, 1870Medal of Honor presented
- December 16, 1913Died in St. Augustine, FloridaAge about 64.
- Resting placeEvergreen CemeterySt. Augustine, Florida
