Charles H. Heyl

Charles Pettit Heath Heyl was a United States Army officer whose Medal of Honor recognized a small-unit charge during the Indian Wars. Born in Philadelphia on July 22, 1849, he entered the Army after the Civil War and served with the 23rd U.S. Infantry. He later rose to colonel, and his career also included service during the Spanish-American War.

### Charge near Fort Hartsuff

On April 28, 1876, near Fort Hartsuff in Nebraska, Second Lieutenant Heyl led three soldiers in a charge against six opponents entrenched on a hillside. The official citation singles out the voluntary nature of the attack and calls it an act of “most conspicuous gallantry.” The award was presented on October 26, 1897, more than two decades after the action.

Heyl continued in Army service and reached the rank of colonel. He died on October 12, 1926, in Washington, D.C., and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

### Medal of Honor citation

Voluntarily, and with most conspicuous gallantry, charged with three men upon six Indians who were entrenched upon a hillside.

### Sources

- Congressional Medal of Honor Society, “Charles Pettit Heath Heyl,” recipient record and citation. - Arlington National Cemetery, “Charles P. H. Heyl,” Medal of Honor recipient record. - U.S. Army, “Medals of Honor Issued by the War Department up to and Including October 31, 1897,” official register of recipients and citations.