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★Victoria Cross

A comprehensive archive of decorated military heroes from Commonwealth, American, and allied traditions, ranked by the Unified Scoring Matrix (USM-25). Honouring valour through history.

USM-25.2Scoring Standard

Scored under the Unified Scoring Matrix (USM-25)

Leroy H. Vokes — Victoria Cross

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Service Profile

Branch: U.S. Army
Rank: First Sergeant
Service Era: American Indian Wars
Medals Recorded: 2

Leroy H. Vokes

First Sergeant, U.S. Army

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American Indian Wars

Awards & Decorations

Medal of Honor
Indian Campaign Medal

Ribbon Rack

Biography

Gallantry on the Nebraska frontier earned the Medal of Honor

Leroy H. Vokes was born in Lake County, Illinois, on 12 November 1849. He entered the United States Army through St. Louis and became first sergeant of Company B, 3 rd U.S. Cavalry.

On 26 April 1872, Vokes took part in a cavalry engagement near the Loupe Fork of the Platte River in Nebraska. Captain Charles Meinhold's troops were pursuing a Sioux raiding party. In his report, Meinhold recognized Vokes for closing with an opponent despite repeated shots directed at him.

Vokes received the Medal of Honor on 22 May 1872. Sergeant John H. Foley, Private William H. Strayer and civilian scout William F. Cody also received the decoration for the engagement.

Vokes died in Washington, DC, on 11 June 1924. He was buried in Rose Hill Cemetery at Fredericksburg, Iowa.

Medal of Honor citation

“Gallantry in action.”

Source: https://www.cmohs.org/recipients/leroy-h-vokes

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