Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, Private James F. Ayers received the Medal of Honor for his actions on April 23, 1875 at Sappa Creek, Kansas during the Indian Campaigns. At the time he was serving with Company H, 6th U.S. Cavalry. Ayers was about 28 years old.
7 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on November 16, 1876.
Ayers was born in 1847 in Collierstown, Rockbridge County, Virginia. His Medal of Honor is credited to Richmond, Virginia. Ayers died on January 18, 1895 in Fort Reily, Kansas, at the age of about 48. He is buried at Fort Riley Post Cemetery in Fort Riley, Kansas.
Ayers is one of 426 Medal of Honor recipients from the Indian Campaigns and one of 48 credited to Virginia.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Rapid pursuit, gallantry, energy, and enterprise in an engagement with Indians.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: Red River War, American Indian Wars.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Virginia →
Timeline
- 1847Born in Collierstown, Rockbridge County, Virginia
- April 23, 1875Act of valor — Sappa Creek, KansasAge about 28. Company H, 6th U.S. Cavalry
- November 16, 1876Medal of Honor presented
- January 18, 1895Died in Fort Reily, KansasAge about 48.
- Resting placeFort Riley Post CemeteryFort Riley, Kansas
Biography
James F. Ayers (1847 – January 18, 1895) was an American soldier in the U.S. Army who served with the 6th U.S. Cavalry during the Indian Wars. He was a participant in the Red River War and one of several men received the Medal of Honor for bravery fighting Indians at the Battle at Sappa Creek on April 23, 1875.
From the Wikipedia article “James F. Ayers”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
