James Brown (Medal of Honor)

Four soldiers faced a larger force and fought their way out.

Sergeant James Brown commanded four men of Company F, 5th United States Cavalry, at Davidson Canyon, Arizona, on 27 August 1872. Facing a larger opposing force, his detachment prevailed. The short Medal of Honor citation singles out his leadership of the small party rather than providing a detailed tactical account.

Brown was born in Wexford, Ireland, in 1847 and entered United States Army service through New York. By the Arizona action he was serving as a cavalry noncommissioned officer. His Medal of Honor was issued on 4 December 1874.

Brown survived the action and received a nonposthumous award. The decoration recognised the leadership he had shown as a cavalry noncommissioned officer during frontier service.