Private William Rankin was a soldier in the U.S. Army who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on September 29, 1872 at Red River, Texas during the Indian Campaigns. At the time he was serving with Company F, 4th U.S. Cavalry. Rankin was about 36 years old.
8 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on November 19, 1872. He later rose to the rank of Farrier-USA-Ret..
Rankin was born in 1836 in Lewistown, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania. His Medal of Honor is credited to Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. Rankin died on February 2, 1916 in Lewiston, Pennsylvania, at the age of about 80. He is buried at St. Mark's Episcopal Cemetery in Lewiston, Pennsylvania.
Rankin is one of 426 Medal of Honor recipients from the Indian Campaigns and one of 380 credited to Pennsylvania.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Gallantry in action with Indians.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Timeline
- 1836Born in Lewistown, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania
- September 29, 1872Act of valor — Red River, TexasAge about 36. Company F, 4th U.S. Cavalry
- November 19, 1872Medal of Honor presented
- February 2, 1916Died in Lewiston, PennsylvaniaAge about 80.
- Resting placeSt. Mark's Episcopal CemeteryLewiston, Pennsylvania