George Loyd facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
George Loyd
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U.S. Army Medal of Honor (1862–1895)
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| Born | 1843 County Tyrone, Ireland |
| Died | December 17, 1892 (aged 48–49) Fort Riley, Kansas, US |
| Place of burial |
Fort Riley, Kansas
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| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/ |
United States Army |
| Years of service | 1866 – 1892 |
| Rank | First sergeant |
| Unit | 7th Cavalry Regiment |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | Medal of Honor |
George Loyd (1843 – December 17, 1892), whose last name was occasionally spelled "Lloyd," was a United States Army soldier. He fought in the Battle of the Little Big Horn and in the Battle of Wounded Knee, now called the Wounded Knee Massacre, receiving the Medal of Honor for his actions in the latter.
Biography
George Loyd was born in County Tyrone, Ireland in 1843. He immigrated to the U.S.
Loyd first enlisted in the U.S. Army (7th Cavalry Regiment on March 17, 1866, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was discharged as a corporal in Canton, Texas when his term of service expired on March 20, 1869. He re-enlisted on March 21, 1869, at Canton in the 6th Cavalry Regiment; he was discharged as a private on March 21, 1874, at Camp Supply, Indian Territory upon the expiration of his term of service.
Loyd's third enlistment was into Company G, 7th Cavalry on April 13, 1874, at St. Louis, Missouri. Loyd was a survivor of the Battle of the Little Big Horn on June 25–26, 1876; he was promoted to corporal on June 25, 1876. He was discharged as a sergeant on April 12, 1879, at Fort Abraham Lincoln, Dakota Territory when his term of service was completed.
Loyd immediately re-enlisted at Fort Abraham Lincoln and served until his five-year enlistment expired on April 12, 1884, at Fort Totten, Dakota Territory. He re-enlisted on April 15, 1884, at Fort Totten and served until discharged as a sergeant on April 14, 1889 Fort Riley, Kansas.
"Geo" Loyd re-enlisted on April 15, 1889, at Fort Riley. He was among the cavalrymen ordered to capture Chief Big Foot. On December 29, 1890, troopers surrounded the Sioux camp on Wounded Knee Creek with the intention of arresting the Sioux chieftain and disarming his followers. Loyd, a sergeant on the day of the battle, was commended for bravery, especially after suffering a wound to his lung; On April 16, 1891, Loyd was awarded the Medal of Honor. On December 17, 1892, slightly less than two years after the battle, First Sergeant Loyd, then one of the oldest soldiers at Fort Riley, Kansas, died and was buried at the Fort Riley post cemetery.
