Private William Shaffer, a soldier in the U.S. Army, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on August 13, 1868 vicinity of the Black Mountains, Arizona during the Indian Campaigns. At the time he was serving with Company B, 8th U.S. Cavalry. Shaffer was about 27 years old.
30 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on July 24, 1869.
Shaffer was born in 1841 in Bavaria, Germany — one of 130 recipients born in Germany. His Medal of Honor is credited to Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio. Shaffer died on January 2, 1910 in Los Angeles, California, at the age of about 69. He is buried at I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Los Angeles, California. Records also list him as Schaffer, William.
Shaffer is one of 426 Medal of Honor recipients from the Indian Campaigns and one of 256 credited to Ohio.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Bravery in scouts and actions against Indians.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Timeline
- 1841Born in Bavaria, Germany
- August 13, 1868Act of valor — Vicinity of the Black Mountains, ArizonaAge about 27. Company B, 8th U.S. Cavalry
- July 24, 1869Medal of Honor presented
- January 2, 1910Died in Los Angeles, CaliforniaAge about 69.
- Resting placeI.O.O.F. CemeteryLos Angeles, California
