Edward Settle Godfrey
Edward Settle Godfrey | |
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Born | Kalida, Ohio | October 9, 1843
Died | April 1, 1932 Cookstown, New Jersey | (aged 88)
Place of burial | |
Allegiance | United States of America |
Service/ | United States Army |
Years of service | 1861, 1867–1907 |
Rank | ![]() |
Unit | 21st Ohio Infantry Regiment 7th U.S. Cavalry Regiment |
Commands held | 9th US Cavalry Regiment Department of the Missouri |
Battles/wars | American Civil War Indian Wars Spanish–American War Philippine–American War |
Awards | Medal of Honor |
Edward Settle Godfrey (October 9, 1843 – April 1, 1932) was a United States Army Brigadier General who received the Medal of Honor for leadership as a captain during the Indian Wars.[1]
Early life and education[]
Godfrey was born October 9, 1843 in Ottawa, Ohio. He enlisted as a private in the Union Army at the beginning of the American Civil War. He served in Company D, 21st Ohio Infantry from April to August 1861.
He was admitted to the United States Military Academy at West Point two years later, and graduated in 1867.
Career[]
Godfrey joined the 7th U.S. Cavalry Regiment 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 in 1894 for his leadership actions during this battle.[2]
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.[2]
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 recipients as participants.[3]
Godfrey died on April 1, 1932, at his home in the Cookstown section of New Hanover Township, New Jersey. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery with his wife, Ida Emely Godfrey.[4]
Marriage and family[]
His first wife died before the turn of the century. Their surviving children in 1932 were Mary Godfrey and E.S. Godfrey, Jr., who became a physician.[3] On October 6, 1892, Edward married Ida D. Emely Godfrey (1856–1941), his second wife.
Medal of Honor citation[]
Rank and organization: Captain, 7th U.S. Cavalry. Place and date: At Bear Paw Mountain, Mont., 30 September 1877. Entered service at: Ottawa, Putnam County, Ohio. Born: 9 October 1843, Ottawa, Ohio. Date of issue: 27 November 1894.[1]
Citation:
Led his command into action when he was severely wounded.[1]
See also[]
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Edward Settle Godfrey. |
- List of Medal of Honor recipients
- List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Indian Wars
References[]
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Army Center of Military History.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c "Medal of Honor recipients Indian Wars Period". United States Army Center of Military History. Retrieved 2009-04-12.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Edward Settle Godfrey". Home of Heroes. Retrieved 2009-04-14.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Old Indian Fighter Buried in Arlington". 9 (5). St. Louis, Missouri, reprinted on Rootsweb: Winners of the West. April 30, 1932. Retrieved 2009-04-14. Cite journal requires
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(help) - ^ "Burial Detail: Godgrey, Edward S. (Section 3, Grave 4175-E)". ANC Explorer. Arlington National Cemetery. (Official website).
External links[]
- Edward Settle Godfrey at Find a Grave
- "Edward Settle Godfrey". at ArlingtonCemetery•net. (Unofficial website).
- 1843 births
- 1932 deaths
- People from Burlington County, New Jersey
- People from Ottawa, Ohio
- United States Army Medal of Honor recipients
- Burials at Arlington National Cemetery
- United States Military Academy alumni
- United States Army generals
- American Indian Wars recipients of the Medal of Honor
- Battle of the Little Bighorn
- Pine Ridge Campaign
- People from Kalida, Ohio
- Union Army soldiers