William D. Edwards

His courage at Big Hole brought the highest American honour.

William D. Edwards was born in Brooklyn, New York, and grew up on a farm near Pembroke. He worked as a plumber before enlisting in the United States Army in February 1870. Assigned to Company F, 7th Infantry, he served at Fort Buford in Dakota Territory and later at Fort Shaw, Montana. He completed his first enlistment as a first sergeant in 1875 and immediately reenlisted.

On 9 August 1877, Edwards fought at Big Hole, Montana, during the Nez Perce War. His bravery earned the Medal of Honor, awarded on 2 December 1878.

Edwards continued serving with the 7th Infantry. By February 1880 he was a commissary sergeant at Fort Snelling, Minnesota. He reenlisted again but was discharged for medical reasons at Rawlins Depot, Wyoming, that December. He subsequently lived at the United States Soldiers' Home in Washington, D.C. Unmarried, he died there on 24 January 1903 and was buried in the Soldiers' and Airmen's National Cemetery.

Medal of Honor citation

Bravery in action.