George H. Morgan

For other people named George Morgan, see George Morgan (disambiguation).
George Horace Morgan
George Horace Morgan
Born(1855-01-01)January 1, 1855
St. Catharines, Canada West
DiedFebruary 14, 1948(1948-02-14) (aged 93)
Washington, D.C., US
Place of burial
Arlington National Cemetery
AllegianceUnited States
Service / branchUnited States Army
Years of service1880–1919
RankColonel
Unit3rd Cavalry Regiment
Commands15th Cavalry Regiment
8th Cavalry Regiment
17th Cavalry Regiment
Battles / warsIndian Wars
*Apache Wars
*Battle of Big Dry Wash
Spanish–American War
Philippine–American War
World War I
AwardsMedal of Honor
Silver Star (2)

George Horace Morgan (January 1, 1855 – February 14, 1948) was an American cavalry officer and Medal of Honor recipient.

Early life

George Horace Morgan was born in St. Catharines, Canada West, on January 1, 1855, to George N. Morgan, who would later serve as a general in the American Civil War.

Military career

Morgan was appointed to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point from Minnesota in 1876, graduating in 1880. He was post commander of Fort Myer, Virginia, when he held the rank of major from March to June 1899.

Morgan served in all the United States' wars from the Indian Wars to World War I. He was wounded by an Apache in the Battle of Big Dry Wash in the Arizona Territory in 1882, for which he received the Medal of Honor. The bullet remained near his heart for over 60 years until it shifted in 1948 and caused his death. He is the namesake of Camp Morgan in Bosnia.[1] Three other men, First Lieutenant Frank West, Second Lieutenant Thomas Cruse and First Sergeant Charles Taylor were also awarded Medals of Honor in this action. West and Cruse are also Academy graduates.[2]

Colonel Morgan was an hereditary companion of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States by right of his father's service in the Union Army during the American Civil War.

Death and burial

Morgan attained the rank of colonel in April 1914, and retired on New Year's Day 1919.[3] He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, 3rd U.S. Cavalry. Place and date: At Big Dry Wash, Ariz., July 17, 1882. Entered service at: Minneapolis, Minn. Birth: Canada. Date of issue: July 15, 1892.[4]

Citation:

Gallantly held his ground at a critical moment and fired upon the advancing enemy (hostile Indians) until he was disabled by a shot.

See also

References

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Army Center of Military History.
  1. ^ "George Horace Morgan". Arlington National Cemetery. Retrieved 2009-04-13.
  2. ^ "Frank West". Home of Heroes. Retrieved 2009-04-17.
  3. ^ "West Point Memorial Page". Archived from the original on 2015-10-18. Retrieved 2013-12-05.
  4. ^ "Medal of Honor recipients Indian Wars Period". Army Center of Military History. Archived from the original on 2013-08-03. Retrieved 2009-04-12.


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