Neglected San Antonio Medal of Honor graves

June 16, 7:33 PMSan Antonio Active Seniors Travel ExaminerMarcus Wilder

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J.D. Long of Alamo City Pundit provided the photograph.

Thirteen Medal of Honor winners recipients lie forgotten in a small San Antonio cemetery.

The Congressional Medal of Honor is awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of their lives above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in action against an enemy of the United States.

In all, 3,465 Medals of Honor have been awarded to 3,446 men.

Given what is necessary to earn a Congressional Medal of Honor, many must be awarded posthumously.

Heroes rest in this unremembered place. Inscriptions on their headstones speak more eloquently than anything I can write.

Private David B. Barkeley [WWI], U.S. Army, Company A, 356th Infantry, 89th Division.

Pouilly, France, Nov. 9, 1918

Private Frederick Deetline [Indian Wars], U.S. Army, Company D, 7th U.S. Cavalry. Little

Big Horn, Montana, June 25, 1876

Private John Harrington [Indian Wars], U.S. Army, Company H, 6th U.S. Cavalry. Wichita

River, Texas, Sept. 12, 1874

Sergeant Henry Falcott [Indian Wars], U.S. Army, Company L, 8th U.S. Cavalry, Arizona,

August 1868

Corporal Henry A. McMasters [Indian Wars], U.S. Army, Company A, 4th U.S. Cavalry,

Red River, Texas, Sept. 29, 1872

Private James J. Nash [Indian Wars], U.S. Army, Company F, 10th U.S. Infantry, Santiago, Cuba,

July 1, 1898

Private Solon D. Neal [Indian Wars], U.S. Army, Company L, 6th U.S. Cavalry, Wichita River,

Texas, July 12, 1870

Private Simon Suhler, enlisted under the alias Charles Gardner [Indian Wars], U.S. Army,

Company B, 8th U.S. Cavalry, Arizona, August-October 1868

First Lieutenant Lewis Warrington [Indian Wars], U.S. Army, 4th U.S. Cavalry, Muchague

Valley, Texas, Dec. 8, 1874

Private William H. Barnes [Civil War], U.S. Army, Company C, 38th U.S. Colored Troops,

Chapins Farm, Virginia, Sept. 29, 1864

Private George W. Smith [Indian Wars], U.S. Army, Company M, 6th U.S. Cavalry, Wichita

River, Texas, Sept. 12, 1874

Corporal John J. Given [Indian Wars], U.S. Army, Company K, 6th U.S. Cavalry, Witchita

River, Texas, July 12, 1870

Sergeant William DeArmond [Indian Wars], U.S. Army, Company I, 5th U.S. Infantry, Upper

Washita, Texas, Sept. 9-11, 1874

Walking through dry grass in this resting place of giants does not make an American proud. We owe our heroes more. Perhaps we can water the grass. Perhaps your congressperson should know.

Two hundred eighty-one Buffalo Soldiers and several Indian scouts are buried here as well.

Honor men who defended you. Visit San Antonio National Cemetery,

517 Paso Hondo Street, east of downtown San Antonio.

There is space for a few more veterans to be buried here. Apply to the Veterans Administration.

J.D. Long of Alamo City Pundit provided the photograph.

Learn more about Marcus Wilder, his books, and his travel at his website.