Thomas Shaw (Medal of Honor)

Thomas Shaw
Sergeant Thomas Shaw
Born	1846 Covington, Kentucky
Died	June 23, 1895 (aged 48–49)
Place of burial	Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Army
Rank	Sergeant
Unit	9th Cavalry Regiment
Battles/wars	American Indian Wars
Awards	Medal of Honor

Thomas Shaw (1846 – June 23, 1895) was a Buffalo Soldier in the United States Army and a recipient of America's highest military decoration – the Medal of Honor – for his actions in the Indian Wars of the western United States.

Biography

Shaw joined the Army from Pike County, Missouri, and by August 12, 1881 was serving as a Sergeant in Company K of the 9th Cavalry Regiment. On that day he participated in an engagement at Carrizo Canyon in New Mexico. For his actions during the engagement, Shaw was awarded the Medal of Honor nine years later, on December 7, 1890.

Shaw died in 1895 and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington County, Virginia.

Thomas Shaw in 1889 as a Sergeant in K Troop, 9th Cavalry

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Sergeant, Company K, 9th U.S. Cavalry. Place and date: At Carrizo Canyon, N. Mex., August 12, 1881. Entered service at: Pike County, Mo. Birth: Covington, Ky. Date of issue: December 7, 1890.

Citation

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.

See also

• List of African American Medal of Honor recipients
• List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Indian Wars

References

• "Indian War Period Medal of Honor recipients". Medal of Honor citations. United States Army Center of Military History. 2005-04-19. Retrieved 2007-01-15.
• "Thomas Shaw". Hall of Valor. Military Times. Retrieved August 28, 2011.