Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, First Sergeant William D. Edwards received the Medal of Honor for his actions on August 9, 1877 in Big Hole, Montana during the Indian Campaigns. At the time he was serving with Company F, 7th U.S. Infantry. Edwards was about 28 years old.
5 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on December 2, 1878.
Edwards was born in 1849 in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York. Edwards died on January 24, 1903 in Washington, District of Columbia, at the age of about 54. He is buried at Soldier's Home National Cemetery in Washington, District of Columbia.
Edwards is one of 426 Medal of Honor recipients from the Indian Campaigns and one of 678 credited to New York.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Bravery in action.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: Nez Perce War, American Indian Wars.
Places
- Born: Brooklyn — map
- Died: Washington, D.C. — map
- Buried: Soldiers' and Airmen's Home National Cemetery — map
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in New York →
Timeline
- 1849Born in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York
- August 9, 1877Act of valor — Big Hole, MontanaAge about 28. Company F, 7th U.S. Infantry
- December 2, 1878Medal of Honor presented
- January 24, 1903Died in Washington, District of ColumbiaAge about 54.
- Resting placeSoldier's Home National CemeteryWashington, District of Columbia
Biography
William D. Edwards (1849 – January 24, 1903) was an American soldier in the U.S. Army who served with the 7th U.S. Infantry during the Indian Wars. A participant in the Nez Perce War, he was one of six men who received the Medal of Honor for bravery against Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce at the Battle of Big Hole on August 9, 1877.
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