Rank Sergeant Died June 23, 1895 Unit 9th Cavalry Regiment Role Medal of Honor | Name Thomas Shaw Awards Medal of Honor | |
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Place of burial Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington County, Virginia | ||
Service/branch United States Army Battles/wars American Indian Wars Battles and wars American Indian Wars Allegiance United States of America | ||
Thomas Shaw (1846 – June 23, 1895) was a Buffalo Soldier in the United States Army and a recipient of America's highest military decoration – the Medal of Honor – for his actions in the Indian Wars of the western United States.
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Biography
Shaw joined the Army from Pike County, Missouri, and by August 12, 1881 was serving as a Sergeant in Company K of the 9th Cavalry Regiment. On that day he participated in an engagement at Carrizo Canyon in New Mexico. For his actions during the engagement, Shaw was awarded the Medal of Honor nine years later, on December 7, 1890.
Shaw died in 1895 and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington County, Virginia. His grave can be found in section 27, lot 952, map grid BB 48.
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Sergeant, Company K, 9th U.S. Cavalry. Place and date: At Carrizo Canyon, N. Mex., August 12, 1881. Entered service at: Pike County, Mo. Birth: Covington, Ky. Date of issue: December 7, 1890.
Forced the enemy back after stubbornly holding his ground in an extremely exposed position and prevented the enemy's superior numbers from surrounding his command.