Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, Sergeant John May received the Medal of Honor for his actions on July 12, 1870 at Wichita River, Texas during the Indian Campaigns. At the time he was serving with Company L, 6th U.S. Cavalry. May was about 31 years old.
12 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on August 25, 1870.
May was born in 1839 in Wurttemberg, Germany — one of 130 recipients born in Germany. His Medal of Honor is credited to Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. May died on March 19, 1886 in La Junta, Colorado, at the age of about 47. He is buried at Fairview Cemetery in La Junta, Colorado.
May 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
- 1839Born in Wurttemberg, Germany
- July 12, 1870Act of valor — Wichita River, TexasAge about 31. Company L, 6th U.S. Cavalry
- August 25, 1870Medal of Honor presented
- March 19, 1886Died in La Junta, ColoradoAge about 47.
- Resting placeFairview CemeteryLa Junta, Colorado
