Isaiah Mays

He walked and crawled two miles to summon help in an ambush.

Isaiah Mays earned the Medal of Honor for his conduct during an attack on an Army paymaster’s escort. Born at Carters Bridge, Virginia, on February 16, 1858, he served as a corporal in Company B of the 24th U.S. Infantry.

On May 11, 1889, at Cedar Springs in Arizona Territory, robbers attacked Paymaster Wham’s escort. Mays distinguished himself in the fighting, then walked and crawled two miles to a ranch to obtain help. His official citation recognized both his gallantry and the effort he made to summon assistance. His medal was awarded on February 19, 1890.

Mays died in Phoenix, Arizona, on May 2, 1925. Originally buried in the veterans section of Arizona State Hospital’s All Souls Cemetery, he was reinterred in Arlington National Cemetery in 2009. His award commemorates resolve in bringing help to an attacked escort.

Official Medal of Honor citation

Gallantry in the fight between Paymaster Wham's escort and robbers. Mays walked and crawled two miles to a ranch for help.