- Simon Suhler
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Simon Suhler Nickname Charles Gardner Born 1844
BavariaDied 1895 (aged 50–51)
San Antonio, TexasPlace of burial San Antonio National Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas Allegiance United States of America
UnionService/branch United States Army
Union ArmyYears of service 1863 - 1865, 1866 - 1878 Rank Sergeant Unit 8th Cavalry Regiment Battles/wars American Civil War
Indian WarsAwards Medal of Honor Simon Suhler (1844–1895) was a private in the United States Army and a recipient of America's highest military decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in the Indian Wars of the western United States.
Contents
Biography
Suhler enlisted in the 32nd Indiana Regiment (known unofficially as the First Indiana German Regiment) at the outset of the Civil War. The 32nd spoke German and were headed by former Prussian officer August Willich. After his capture and wounding at Shiloh and being furloughed back, he deserted from this unit and served under the name of Simon Neustadle, honorably, the remainder of the Civil War in the 11th Heavy Artillery. He also later served in the 4th New York Heavy Artillery.
After the war he joined the 8th Cavalry Regiment under the assumed name Charles Gardner, where he earned the Medal of Honor fighting the Apaches in Arizona. He was awarded the Medal of Honor at the rank of private. After 12 years in the 8th Cavalry he retired at the rank of sergeant. He was recommended to be promoted to lieutenant but this never took place.
Suhler died in 1895 and was buried at San Antonio National Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas. A corrected monument was placed at his gravesite on Veterans Day in 1988. His grave site can be found in Section I Grave 1610 and the GPS location is (lat/lon): 29.2528, -98.28068.
Medal of Honor citation
- Rank and organization: Private, Company B, 8th U.S. Cavalry.
- Place and date: Arizona, August to October 1868.
- Entered service at:------.
- Birth: Bavaria.
- Date of issue: July 24, 1869.
Citation:
Bravery in scouts and actions against Indians.
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients
- List of Jewish Medal of Honor recipients
- List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Indian Wars
- Monument to the 32nd Indiana Regiment
References
- "Gravesite for Simon Suhler (aka: Charles Gardner)". C. Douglas Sterner. http://www.homeofheroes.com/gravesites/states/pages_go/gardner_suhler_charles.html. Retrieved December 5, 2007.
- "Simon Suhler". Claim to Fame: Medal of Honor recipients. Find a Grave. http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=18131. Retrieved December 5, 2007.
- "Florida Atlantic University Library". http://www.fau.edu/library/cmoh8.htm. Retrieved October 5, 2010.
Categories:- 1844 births
- 1895 deaths
- American people of the Indian Wars
- Army Medal of Honor recipients
- Foreign born Medal of Honor recipients
- American people of German descent
- German emigrants to the United States
- Union Army soldiers
- United States Army soldiers
- American Jews
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