Public Information

Name

McBryar, William

Class

2016

Biography

(1861-1941) William McBryar was a Buffalo Soldier in the US Army who received America’s highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions during the Cherry Creek Campaign in Arizona Territory. His Medal of Honor citation reads: “Rank and organization: Sergeant, Company K, 10th U.S. Cavalry. Place and date: Salt River, Arizona, 7 March 1890. Entered service at: New York, N.Y. Birth: 14 February 1861, Elizabethtown, N.C. Date of issue: 15 May 1890. Distinguished himself for coolness, bravery and marksmanship while his troop was in pursuit of hostile Apache Indians.” McBryar later became a commissioned officer and left the Army as a First Lieutenant. He passed at age 80 and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington County, Virginia.