Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, First Lieutenant Wilber Elliott Wilder received the Medal of Honor for his actions on April 23, 1882 at Horseshoe Canyon, New Mexico during the Indian Campaigns. At the time he was serving with 4th U.S. Cavalry. Wilder was 24 years old.
One other service member also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on August 17, 1896, 14 years after the action. He later rose to the rank of Brigadier General.
Wilder was born on August 16, 1857 in Atlas, Genesee County, Michigan. His Medal of Honor is credited to Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan. Wilder died on January 30, 1952 in Governors Island, New York, at the age of 94. He is buried at Fairlawn Cemetery in Milford, Connecticut.
Wilder is one of 426 Medal of Honor recipients from the Indian Campaigns and one of 112 credited to Michigan.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Assisted, under a heavy fire, in rescuing a wounded comrade.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: World War I, Spanish–American War.
Life beyond the battlefield
- Education: United States Military Academy
Source: Wikidata.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Michigan →
Timeline
- August 16, 1857Born in Atlas, Genesee County, Michigan
- April 23, 1882Act of valor — Horseshoe Canyon, New MexicoAge 24. 4th U.S. Cavalry
- August 17, 1896Medal of Honor presented
- January 30, 1952Died in Governors Island, New YorkAge 94.
- Resting placeFairlawn CemeteryMilford, Connecticut
Biography
Wilber Elliott Wilder (August 18, 1857 – January 30, 1952) was a United States Army Brigadier General who was a recipient of the Medal of Honor for rescuing a wounded soldier under heavy fire.
From the Wikipedia article “Wilber Elliott Wilder”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
