Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, First Sergeant Jacob Widmer received the Medal of Honor for his actions on September 29, 1879 at Milk River, Colorado during the Indian Campaigns. At the time he was serving with Company D, 5th U.S. Cavalry. Widmer was about 34 years old.
8 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on May 4, 1880.
Widmer was born in 1845 in Wurttemberg, Germany — one of 130 recipients born in Germany. His Medal of Honor is credited to Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. Widmer died on July 5, 1880 in Fort Niobrara, Nebraska, at the age of about 35. He is buried at Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
Widmer is one of 426 Medal of Honor recipients from the Indian Campaigns and one of 380 credited to Pennsylvania.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Volunteered to accompany a small detachment on a very dangerous mission.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Timeline
- 1845Born in Wurttemberg, Germany
- September 29, 1879Act of valor — Milk River, ColoradoAge about 34. Company D, 5th U.S. Cavalry
- May 4, 1880Medal of Honor presented
- July 5, 1880Died in Fort Niobrara, NebraskaAge about 35.
- Resting placeFort Leavenworth National CemeteryFort Leavenworth, Kansas
