John Merrill (Medal of Honor)

Wounded at Milk River, he stayed on duty under heavy gunfire

John Mitchell Merrill was born in New York about 1846. He entered the United States Army and served in Company F, 5th Cavalry, reaching the rank of sergeant.

On 29 September 1879, his unit was engaged at Milk River, Colorado, during the Ute conflict. Troops attempting to reach the White River agency met resistance along the river and became involved in prolonged fighting. Merrill was painfully wounded but remained on duty. His Medal of Honor citation recognized the valuable service he continued to render despite his injury.

The Army awarded his Medal of Honor on 7 June 1880. He survived the campaign, but died only a few years later, on 10 June 1883, at Fort D. A. Russell in Wyoming. He was buried in Olivet Catholic Cemetery at Cheyenne. His brief surviving citation records endurance under wounds rather than detailing a separate charge or rescue.

Official Medal of Honor citation:

Though painfully wounded, he remained on duty and rendered gallant and valuable service.