Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, Private William H. Harris received the Medal of Honor for his actions on June 25, 1876 at Little Big Horn River, Montana during the Indian Campaigns. At the time he was serving with Company D, 7th U.S. Cavalry. Harris was about 26 years old.
22 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on October 5, 1878, 2 years after the action.
Harris was born in 1850 in Madison County, Kentucky. His Medal of Honor is credited to Mount Vernon, Rockcastle County, Kentucky. Harris died on June 9, 1885 in Berea, Kentucky, at the age of about 35. He is buried at Camp Nelsson National Cemetery in Nicholasville, Kentucky.
Harris is one of 426 Medal of Honor recipients from the Indian Campaigns and one of 44 credited to Kentucky.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Voluntarily brought water to the wounded under fire of the enemy.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Timeline
- 1850Born in Madison County, Kentucky
- June 25, 1876Act of valor — Little Big Horn River, MontanaAge about 26. Company D, 7th U.S. Cavalry
- October 5, 1878Medal of Honor presented
- June 9, 1885Died in Berea, KentuckyAge about 35.
- Resting placeCamp Nelsson National CemeteryNicholasville, Kentucky
