John Chowning Gresham John Chowning Gresham ( September 25 , 1851 – September 2 , 1926 ) was an officer in the United States Army who was a recipient of the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Indian Wars . After graduating from the military academy he accepted a commission int the United States Army and saw combat in several battles during the American Indian wars including the Battle of Canyon Creek . He was assigned to the Department of Dakota until 1884 when he was assigned to the Virginia Agricultural College as a Professor of Military Science and Tactics . In 1887 he returned to the campaigns against the Indians where he was injured and received his Medal of Honor for his actions during the Wounded Knee Massacre . He continued getting promoted until achieving the rank of Colonel before retiring in 1915 . After he retired he was recalled to active duty to command the ROTC and SATC programs at the University of Denver as a member of the California National Guard until the programs were disbanded in 1918 . He died in San Diego , California in 1926 and is buried in San Francisco National Cemetery . Life and career . Gresham was born September 25 , 1851 in Lancaster County , Virginia , and graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1876 . He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the 3rd Cavalry at Fort Lincoln . He transferred to the 7th Cavalry as a replacement following the Battle of Little Big Horn , and served in the Nez Perce War , including the Battle of Canyon Creek . He was promoted to first lieutenant in June 1878 , and continued to serve at various posts within the Department of Dakota until September 1884 . From September 1884 to February 1887 he was Professor of Military Science and Tactics at Virginia Agricultural College . In 1887 Gresham returned to duty with the 7th Cavalry and participated in the campaign against the Sioux in the Wounded Knee Massacre , leading a party into a ravine to attack a group of Indians hiding there . For this action he received the Medal of Honor in March 1895 . He was promoted to captain in April 1892 and moved with the regiment to Arizona . He served as Professor of Military Science and Tactics at the North Carolina College of Agriculture and Mechanical Arts from December 1896 until rejoining the regiment in Havana in March 1899 . Gresham was promoted to major of the 6th Cavalry in September 1901 , and in January 1902 he sailed for Manila to join the regiment . He served with the 6th Cavalry in the Philippines until August 1903 , including General J . Franklin Bell ' s campaign against Miguel Malvar . He transferred to the 15th Cavalry and returned to the United States . He returned to the Philippines with the 15th Cavalry in October 1905 , serving there until July 1906 . He transferred to the 9th Cavalry and again returned to the U . S . In July 1907 he was promoted to lieutenant colonel of the 14th Cavalry and given command of the regiment and the post of Boise Barracks . The regiment was sent to Fort Stotsenburg in the Philippines in March 1910 . Gresham was promoted to colonel in August 1911 , and , in April 1912 took command of the 10th Cavalry at Fort Ethan Allen , Vermont . In December 1913 he took command of Fort Huachuca , Arizona . He was in charge of militia affairs for the Western Department from August 1914 until he retired in September 1915 . However , he was immediately assigned to active duty with the California National Guard in Los Angeles , and beginning in January 1918 , he commanded the ROTC and SATC programs at the University of Denver , until they were disbanded in December 1918 . He died September 2 , 1926 in San Diego , California , and is buried in San Francisco National Cemetery . Medal of Honor citation . Rank and organization : First Lieutenant , 7th U . S . Cavalry . Place and date : Wounded Knee Creek , S . Dak . , 29 December 1890 . Entered service at : Lancaster Courthouse , Va . . Birth : Virginia . Date of issue : 26 March 1895 . Citation : Voluntarily led a party into a ravine to dislodge Sioux Indians concealed therein . He was wounded during this action .