Christian Steiner (soldier)

Cavalry saddler honored in the Chiricahua Mountains

Christian Steiner received the Medal of Honor for gallantry in the Chiricahua Mountains of Arizona Territory on 20 October 1869. He served as a saddler with Company G of the 8th United States Cavalry during the Indian Campaigns.

Steiner was born in Württemberg, Germany, in 1833. His award was accredited to St. Louis, Missouri. The available authoritative record does not establish the circumstances of his immigration, childhood or enlistment, so those parts of his life remain undocumented here.

The official citation contains only three words, “Gallantry in action.” It confirms the recognition but offers no account of the particular movements or deeds involved. Specific descriptions of his battlefield conduct cannot therefore be supported by that citation alone.

The award date recorded by the Congressional Medal of Honor Society is 14 February 1870. Steiner died in Hot Springs, Arkansas, on 5 August 1880 and is buried there in Hollywood Cemetery. His Medal of Honor preserves the record of a cavalry soldier whose individual story survives only in limited detail.

Medal of Honor citation

Gallantry in action.