John Chowning Gresham
John Chowning Gresham (September 25, 1851 – September 2, 1926) was an officer in the United States Army who was a recipient of the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Wounded Knee Massacre as part of the Indian Wars.
John Chowning Gresham | |
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Gresham as a West Point cadet | |
Born | Lancaster County, Virginia | September 25, 1851
Died | September 2, 1926 74) San Diego, California | (aged
Place of Burial | San Francisco National Cemetery |
Allegiance | United States of America |
Service/ | United States Army California National Guard |
Years of service | 1876–1915 (Army) 1915–1918 (National Guard) |
Rank | Colonel |
Unit | 7th Cavalry Regiment |
Commands held | 10th Cavalry Regiment |
Battles/wars | Indian Wars
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Awards | Medal of Honor |
After graduating from the military academy he accepted a commission in the United States Army and saw combat in several battles during the American Indian wars including the Battle of Canyon Creek. He was assigned to the Department of Dakota until 1884 when he was assigned to the Virginia Agricultural College as a professor of Military Science and Tactics.
In 1887 he returned to the campaigns against the Indians where he was injured and received his Medal of Honor for his actions during the Wounded Knee Massacre.
After retiring in 1915 he was recalled to active duty to command the ROTC and SATC programs at the University of Denver as a member of the California National Guard until the programs were disbanded in 1918. He died in San Diego, California in 1926 and is buried in San Francisco National Cemetery.