SGT. THOMAS SHAW (MOH)
(1846-1895)
COMPANY K., 9TH CAVALRY REGIMENT
BUFFALO SOLDIER-INDIAN WARS.
Thomas Shaw was born in Covington County, Kentucky in 1846. A runaway slave, he served in the Union Army during the Civil War and was noted as the best marksman in the Regiment. He was stationed at Ft. Davis Texas in 1870 and 1871 and later participated in the War against the Apaches.
On August 12th, 1881, he was part of a small detachment in pursuit of the Apache Chief, Nana, who along with several of his warriors, were attacking settlements and ranches in southern New Mexico Territory.
Sgt. Shaw and Sgt. George Jordan were both part of a small detachment on 19 Cavalrymen holding an important position soldiers when the
y were surprised by the Apaches in Carrizo Canyon on the west side of the Mimbres Mountains. Though vastly outnumbered, the two non-commissioned officers, gallantly led their troops in forcing the Apaches back, holding their ground in an extremely exposed position, thereby preventing the Apaches from surrounding their command. Both non-coms were awarded the Medal of Honor for their gallant leadership in this battle.
ATTENTION TO ORDERS: December 7th, 1890. ACTION DATE: August 12th 1881;
SERVICE: Army; RANK: Sergeant; COMPANY: Company K; DIVISION: 9th US Cavalry----
“The President of the United States of Amer
ica, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Sergeant Thomas Shaw, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 12 August 1881, while serving with Company K, 9th U.S. Cavalry, in action at Carrizo Canyon, New Mexico. Sgt. Shaw forced the enemy back after stubbornly holding his ground in an extremely exposed position and prevented the enemy’s superior numbers from surrounding his command.”
SGT. THOMAS SHAW IS BURIED IN ARLINGTON NATIONAL
CEMETERY, ARLINGTON, VIRGINA