b. 09/10/1843 Kalida, Ohio. d. 01/04/1932 Mount Holly, New Jersey.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 30/09/1877 Bear Paw Mountain, Montana.
Edward S Godfrey MOH
Godfrey was born October 9, 1843 in Ottawa, Ohio. He enlisted as a private in the US Army at the beginning of the American Civil War. He served in Company D, 21st Ohio Infantry from April to August 1861. Because of his skills, he was admitted to the United States Military Academy at West Point two years later, and graduated in 1867.
Godfrey joined the 7th United States Cavalry and as a lieutenant was a survivor of Battle of the Little Bighorn. He wrote an account of the battle and his experiences in it, originally published in Century Magazine in January 1892, which was highly influential in shaping perceptions of the battle and Custer’s generalship. Despite being severely wounded at the Battle of Bear Paw Mountain against Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce Indians, September 30, 1877, Godfrey continued to lead his men in battle. He received the Medal of Honor on September 27, 1894 for his leadership actions during this battle.
Godfrey was breveted major on February 27, 1890. He served in Cuba in 1898 during the Spanish–American War and in the Philippine–American War overseas (1899–1902). He retired from the Army on October 9, 1907 with the rank of Brigadier General.
At the ceremony of the burial of the Unknown Soldier from World War I in Arlington, Virginia, Godfrey led two platoons of Medal of Honor awardees as participants.
MOH CITATION:
Led his command into action when he was severely wounded.
BURIAL LOCATION: ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY, ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA.
SECTION 3, LOT 4175-F
LOCATION OF MEDAL: U.S. ARMY HERITAGE & EDUCATION CENTER, CARLISLE, PENNSYLVANIA.
