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Scout · U.S. Army

William "Billy" Dixon

Scout William "Billy" Dixon, Army, received the Medal of Honor for actions on September 12, 1874 at Washita River, Texas during the Indian Campaigns.

Indian Campaigns September 12, 1874

Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, Scout William "Billy" Dixon received the Medal of Honor for his actions on September 12, 1874 at Washita River, Texas during the Indian Campaigns. At the time he was serving with Indian Scouts. Dixon was 23 years old.

5 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on November 7, 1874. Medal issued in 1874; Dixon's Medal of Honor was rescinded following the 1916-1917 review of Army Medal of Honor awards as he was a civilian at the time of his valor; he was restored to the Medal of Honor Roll in 1989.

Dixon was born on September 25, 1850 in Ohio County, West Virginia. His Medal of Honor is credited to Oklahoma, (Indian Territory). Dixon died on March 9, 1913 in Texline, Dallam County, Texas, at the age of 62. He is buried at Adobe Walls Battlefield Site in Adobe Walls, Texas.

Dixon is one of 426 Medal of Honor recipients from the Indian Campaigns and one of 25 credited to Oklahoma.

Official Medal of Honor citation

Gallantry in action.

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

Battles and campaigns

Also served in: Red River War, Second Battle of Adobe Walls.

Places

  • Born: Ohio County — map
  • Died: Cimarron County — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Oklahoma →

Timeline

  1. September 25, 1850
    Born in Ohio County, West Virginia
  2. September 12, 1874
    Act of valor — Washita River, Texas
    Age 23. Indian Scouts
  3. November 7, 1874
    Medal of Honor presented
    Medal issued in 1874; Dixon's Medal of Honor was rescinded following the 1916-1917 review of Army Medal of Honor awards as he was a civilian at the time of his valor; he was restored to the Medal of Honor Roll in 1989.
  4. March 9, 1913
    Died in Texline, Dallam County, Texas
    Age 62.
  5. Resting place
    Adobe Walls Battlefield Site
    Adobe Walls, Texas

Biography

William Dixon (September 25, 1850 – March 9, 1913) was an American scout and bison hunter active in the Texas Panhandle. He helped found Adobe Walls, fired a buffalo rifle shot at the Second Battle of Adobe Walls, and for his actions at the Buffalo Wallow Fight became one of eight civilians to be awarded the U.S. Medal of Honor.

From the Wikipedia article “Billy Dixon”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

Further reading

Also honored for actions on September 12, 1874

AC Amos Chapman Scout · Army Indian Campaigns · 1874 JH John Harrington Private · Army Indian Campaigns · 1874 PR Peter Paul Roth Private · Army Indian Campaigns · 1874 GS George W. Smith Private · Army Indian Campaigns · 1874 ✦ ZW Zachariah Woodall Sergeant · Army Indian Campaigns · 1874

Same unit

AA "William" Alchesay Sergeant · Army Indian Campaigns · 1872 Blanquet Indian Scout · Army Indian Campaigns · 1872 CC Chiquito Scout · Army Indian Campaigns · 1872 JD James B. Dozier Guide · Army Indian Campaigns · 1870 EE Elsatsoosh Corporal · Army Indian Campaigns · 1872 PF Pompey Factor Private · Army Indian Campaigns · 1875 JJ Jim Sergeant · Army Indian Campaigns · 1872 KK Kelsay Scout · Army Indian Campaigns · 1872
Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Wikidata and Wikipedia. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.