Quick Facts
Biography
Augustus Walley (March 10, 1856 – April 9, 1938) was a Buffalo Soldier 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.
On August 16, 1881, Walley was serving as a private in Company I of the 9th Cavalry Regiment. On that day, Walley participated in an engagement in the Cuchillo Negro Mountains of New Mexico, where he was cited for "[b]ravery in action with hostile Apaches" for helping rescue stranded soldiers under heavy fire. His Lieutenant, George Ritter Burnett, also received the Medal of Honor for this action. Nine years later, on October 1, 1890, he was issued the Medal of Honor for his actions during the engagement.
Walley remained in the Army until 1907, having also served in the Spanish–American War and Philippine–American War. He was recalled to duty as a First Sergeant during World War I, and retired again in March 1919. He died at age 82 and was buried at Saint Luke's Cemetery in Reisterstown, Maryland.
Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Private, Company I, 9th U.S. Cavalry. Place and date: At Cuchillo Negro Mountains, N. Mex., August 16, 1881. Entered service at: ------. Birth: Reistertown, Md. Date of issue: October 1, 1890.
Citation:
Bravery in action with hostile Apaches.