William Othello Wilson facts for kids

William Othello Wilson (born September 16, 1869 – died January 18, 1928) was an African-American corporal in the United States Army's 9th Cavalry Regiment. He is famous for receiving the Medal of Honor, which is the highest award for bravery in the U.S. military.

William Othello Wilson: A Heroic Soldier

William Othello Wilson was born in Hagerstown, Maryland. He joined the United States Army when he was 20 years old. He became a corporal, which is a non-commissioned officer rank. He was part of the 9th Cavalry Regiment. This regiment was one of the "Buffalo Soldier" units. These units were made up of African-American soldiers.

Early Army Days

Wilson joined the Army in August 1889 from Saint Paul, Minnesota. By December 1890, he was a corporal. He was also known as one of the best shooters in his unit. People often recognized him by his black leather coat and a wide-brimmed white hat.

Bravery at Pine Ridge

Wilson's unit helped patrol during the Ghost Dance War with the Sioux people. This was a conflict in the late 1800s. A very important event happened on December 30, 1890. This was the day after the Wounded Knee Massacre.

Wilson's unit, D Troop, and some supply wagons were surrounded. About fifty Sioux warriors had them surrounded. This happened early in the morning. The soldiers needed help. Wilson bravely volunteered to carry a message. He needed to go to the Indian agency at the Pine Ridge Reservation. This was about two miles away. Other scouts had refused to go.

After leaving the wagons, warriors chased him. But Wilson was fast and managed to outrun them. He reached the agency and alerted other troops. These troops then went to rescue the stranded soldiers. For this act of bravery, William Wilson received the Medal of Honor. He earned this award on December 30, 1891.

Life After the Army

The 9th Cavalry stayed at the Pine Ridge reservation until March 1891. They lived in tents during the winter. A few weeks before his unit left, Wilson took a trip without permission. He went to Chadron, Nebraska. He was later accused of leaving his post. Wilson said it was because of the stress of the winter at Pine Ridge. He spent a week in a guardhouse.

In 1893, Wilson was going to a shooting contest in Nebraska. He was representing his regiment. But he did not return to his unit. He kept his rifle and pistol. The Army did not try to find him.

William Wilson was the only African-American soldier to earn a Medal of Honor and then leave the Army this way. He was also the last African-American soldier to earn the Medal of Honor for bravery on American soil.

After leaving the Army in 1893, Wilson went back to civilian life. He lived in Maryland. He worked as an upholsterer, a cook, and a carpenter. He got married and had seven children. William Othello Wilson passed away on January 18, 1928. He is buried in Rose Hill Cemetery in Washington County, Maryland.

His Lasting Legacy

In February 2003, William Wilson's only living daughter, Anna V. Jones, made a special donation. She gave her father's Medal of Honor to the Maryland African American Museum Corporation. This museum helps people learn about African-American history and culture.