Blacksmith Wilhelm O. Philipsen was a soldier in the U.S. Army who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on September 29, 1879 at Milk Creek, Colorado during the Indian Campaigns. At the time he was serving with Troop D, 5th U.S. Cavalry. Philipsen was about 27 years old.
8 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on December 12, 1894, 15 years after the action.
Philipsen was born in 1852 in Schleswig, Germany — one of 130 recipients born in Germany. His Medal of Honor is credited to Baltimore, Baltimore County, Maryland. Philipsen died on September 15, 1913, at the age of about 61. He is buried at Louden Park National Cemetery in Baltimore, Maryland. Records also list him as Phillipsen, Wilhelm O..
Philipsen is one of 426 Medal of Honor recipients from the Indian Campaigns and one of 85 credited to Maryland.
Official Medal of Honor citation
With nine others voluntarily attacked and captured a strong position held by Indians.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Timeline
- 1852Born in Schleswig, Germany
- September 29, 1879Act of valor — Milk Creek, ColoradoAge about 27. Troop D, 5th U.S. Cavalry
- December 12, 1894Medal of Honor presented
- September 15, 1913DiedAge about 61.
- Resting placeLouden Park National CemeteryBaltimore, Maryland
