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Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

Private · U.S. Army

Joseph Watson

Private Joseph Watson, Army, received the Medal of Honor for actions on June 4, 1869 at Picacho Mountain, Arizona Territory during the Indian Campaigns.

Indian Campaigns June 4, 1869

Private Joseph Watson, a soldier in the U.S. Army, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on June 4, 1869 at Picacho Mountain, Arizona Territory during the Indian Campaigns. At the time he was serving with Company F, 8th U.S. Cavalry. Watson was about 23 years old.

One other service member also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on March 3, 1870.

Watson was born in 1846 in Union City, Branch County, Michigan. His Medal of Honor is credited to Chicago, Cook County, Illinois.

Watson is one of 426 Medal of Honor recipients from the Indian Campaigns and one of 210 credited to Illinois.

Official Medal of Honor citation

Killed an Indian warrior and captured his arms.

Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.

Timeline

  1. 1846
    Born in Union City, Branch County, Michigan
  2. June 4, 1869
    Act of valor — Picacho Mountain, Arizona Territory
    Age about 23. Company F, 8th U.S. Cavalry
  3. March 3, 1870
    Medal of Honor presented

Also honored for actions on June 4, 1869

GG George Gates Bugler · Army Indian Campaigns · 1869

Same unit

HM Herbert Mahers Private · Army Indian Campaigns · 1869 JM John Moran Private · Army Indian Campaigns · 1869 PM Philip Murphy Corporal · Army Indian Campaigns · 1869 TM Thomas Murphy Corporal · Army Indian Campaigns · 1869 AS Albert Sale Private · Army Indian Campaigns · 1869 ES Edward Stanley Corporal · Army Indian Campaigns · 1869

More Indian Campaigns recipients from Illinois

Theodore W. b Goldin Private · Army Indian Campaigns · 1876 JT John Tracy Private · Army Indian Campaigns · 1869 JM John Mitchell First Sergeant · Army Indian Campaigns · 1874 PK Philip Kennedy Private · Army Indian Campaigns · 1876 JK John J. h Kelly Corporal · Army Indian Campaigns · 1874 EJ Edward Johnston Corporal · Army Indian Campaigns · 1876
Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.