b. 1836 County Sligo, Ireland. d. 25/05/1872 Fort Columbus, New York.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 08-10/1868 Arizona.
A native of County Sligo, Ireland, Patrick Golden emigrated to the United States and eventually enlisted in the U.S. Army in San Francisco, California. He became a member of the 8th U.S. Cavalry and was assigned to frontier duty in the Arizona Territory. From August to October 1868, Golden was part of a small force, one of two companies numbering 50-60 troopers, tasked to protect settlements from Apache war parties. In this 90-day period, Golden and other soldiers frequently faced the Apaches in heavy fighting, especially in ambushes and sniper attacks, during their patrols. At the end of the campaign, Golden was one of 34 soldiers to receive the Medal of Honor for “bravery in scouts and actions against Indians”. The men of the regiment were officially issued the award on July 24, 1869, in one of the largest Medal of Honor presentations at the time.
MOH CITATION:
Bravery in scouts and actions against Indians.
BURIAL LOCATION: CYPRESS HILLS CEMETERY, BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.
SECTION 2, GRAVE 4316
LOCATION OF MEDAL: UNKNOWN.
