Private First Class Will Croft Barnes was a soldier in the U.S. Army who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on September 1, 1881 in Arizona during the Indian Campaigns. At the time he was serving with Signal Corps U.S. Army. Barnes was 23 years old.
The medal was presented on November 8, 1882.
Barnes was born on June 21, 1858 in San Francisco, San Francisco County, California. His Medal of Honor is credited to Washington, District of Columbia. Barnes died on December 17, 1936 in Phoenix, Arizona, at the age of 78. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.
Barnes is one of 426 Medal of Honor recipients from the Indian Campaigns and one of 34 credited to District of Columbia.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Bravery in action.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: American Indian Wars.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in District of Columbia →
Timeline
- June 21, 1858Born in San Francisco, San Francisco County, California
- September 1, 1881Act of valor — ArizonaAge 23. Signal Corps U.S. Army
- November 8, 1882Medal of Honor presented
- December 17, 1936Died in Phoenix, ArizonaAge 78.
- Resting placeArlington National CemeteryArlington, Virginia
Biography
Will Croft Barnes (June 21, 1858 – December 17, 1936), a private in the U.S. Army Signal Corps, was distinguished for his action in the battle at Fort Apache, Arizona Territory on September 11, 1881. When Fort Apache was besieged by warriors of Geronimo, Barnes escaped and rode to Fort Thomas. Soldiers from Fort Thomas came to the aid of Fort Apache. For his gallantry, Barnes received the Medal of Honor on November 8, 1882, the citation noting his "bravery in action."
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