b. 29/12/1848 Jacksonville, Illinois. d. 09/02/1926 Washington DC.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 30/09/1877 Bear Paw Mountain, Montana.
Edward J McClernand MOH
Edward John McClernand was born in Jacksonville, Illinois, on December 29, 1848. He spent his early school years in Jacksonville and Springfield before graduating from West Point in 1870. His first assignment was to Ft. Ellis, Montana with the 2nd U.S. Cavalry in 1870, beginning nearly 30 years in various cavalry assignments primarily in the American West. His actions at Bear Paw Mountain, Montana on September 30, 1877, resulted in his being received the Medal of Honor on November 27, 1894. He returned to the east coast in 1879 as a Tactical Officer at West Point, returning to the frontier with assignments in Montana, California, and Washington starting in 1883.
McClernand fought in the Spanish–American War, serving in the Santiago campaign. He later saw service in the Philippine Insurrection, commanding the 1st Cavalry Regiment. He was promoted to brigadier general shortly before he retired from active service on December 29, 1912. He was recalled to active duty the next day, serving as president of the Cavalry Board until 1914. He lived in Easton, Pennsylvania, where he wrote “With the Indians and the Buffalo in Montana”, for the Cavalry Journal in 1925.
MOH CITATION:
Gallantly attacked a band of hostiles and conducted the combat with excellent skill and boldness.
BURIAL LOCATION: ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY, ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA.
SECTION 3, GRAVE 1931.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: BELIEVED TO BE FAMILY.
