Bernhard Jetter

Bernhard Jetter (February 26, 1862 – August 23, 1927) was a German-born soldier in the U.S. Army who served with the 7th U.S. Cavalry during the Indian Wars. He was one of twenty men who received the Medal of Honor for gallantry against the Dakota at the Battle of Wounded Knee, but now called the Wounded Knee Massacre, in South Dakota on December 29, 1890.

Bernhard Jetter
Born(1862-02-26)February 26, 1862
Wurttemberg, Germany
DiedAugust 23, 1927(1927-08-23) (aged 65)
Brooklyn, New York, United States
Place of burial
Cypress Hills National Cemetery
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service/branchUnited States Army
Years of service1883 – 1896
RankFirst Sergeant
Unit7th U.S. Cavalry
Battles/warsIndian campaigns
AwardsMedal of Honor
Spouse(s)
Rose Elizabeth Wagner
​
​
(m. 1916; his death 1927)​

Biography

Bernhard Jetter was born in Wurttemberg, Germany in 1862.[1] He immigrated into the United States at New York City, New York on April 17, 1881.[2][1] He enlisted in K Troop, 7th Cavalry Regiment, U.S. Army on May 5, 1883 in New York City. He was promoted to sergeant; he was discharged on May 4, 1888 upon his termination of service at Rapid City, Dakota Territory with a character rating of excellent.[3] Bernard Jetter (sic) re-enlisted near Rapid City on June 5, 1888.[4] Jetter was among the cavalry troops sent to arrest Chief Big Foot and disarm his Sioux followers and, on the morning of December 29, 1890, surrounded their camp on the banks of Wounded Knee Creek. In the ensuing Wounded Knee Massacre, Jetter and several other soldiers took part in search-and-destroy missions along White Clay Creek and were cited for "distinguished bravery" in skirmishes against the Sioux. Jetter himself was witnessed "killing an Indian who was in the act of killing a wounded man" in his unit. He and nineteen other members of his regiment were awarded the Medal of Honor on April 24, 1891.[5][6][7] Jetter was discharged as a first sergeant on June 4, 1893 at Fort Sheridan.[4] He immediately re-enlisted on June 5, 1893 at Fort Sheridan.[8] Jetter was naturalized as a U.S. Citizen on July 10, 1896 in the U.S. District Court in New York, New York; his occupation at the time was "U.S. soldier."[1] He was discharged by authority of a special order on September 4, 1896 as a first sergeant at Fort Huachuca, Arizona Territory was a character rating of excellent.[8]

Jetter married Rose Elizabeth Wagner on June 3, 1916 in New York, New York, giving his marital status as widowed.[9]

Jetter returned to Brooklyn after leaving military service and died in Brooklyn on August 23, 1927 at the age of 65; his wife Rose survived him.[10] He was interred at Cypress Hills National Cemetery.[11]

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Sergeant, Company K, 7th U.S. Cavalry. Place and date: At Sioux campaign, December 1890. Entered service at: ------. Birth: Germany. Date of issue: 24 April 1891.

Citation:

Distinguished bravery.[12]

See also

References
  1. "New York Naturalization Index (Soundex), 1792-1906," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVT7-Y1ZK : 13 February 2015), Bernhard Jetter, 1896; citing New York City, New York, New York, United States, Index to Naturalization Petitions filed in Federal, state and local court in New York, 1792-1906, NARA microfilm publication M1674 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 121; FHL microfilm 1,420,362.
  2. "New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1891," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVSK-T1TQ : 15 April 2015), Bernhard Jetter, 1881; citing NARA microfilm publication M237 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm .
  3. "United States Registers of Enlistments in the U.S. Army, 1798-1914," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJDR-QXNM : 24 May 2014), Bernhard Jetter, 05 Jun 1883; citing p. 165, volume 080, New York, , , United States, NARA microfilm publication M233 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 42; FHL microfilm 350,348.
  4. "United States Registers of Enlistments in the U.S. Army, 1798-1914," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VRQ6-JRD : 4 December 2014), Bernard Jetter, 05 Jun 1888; citing p. 276, volume 85, Rapid City, , Dakota Territory, United States, NARA microfilm publication M233 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 44; FHL microfilm 1,319,377.
  5. Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs. Medal of Honor recipients, 1863-1973, 93rd Cong., 1st sess. Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office, 1973.
  6. Bruce E. Johansen, The Native Peoples of North America: A History. Vol. 2. New Brunswick, New Jersey: Rutgers University Press, 2006. (pg. 289) ISBN 0-8135-3899-8
  7. Army Times Publishing Company. "Military Times Hall of Valor: Bernhard Jetter". Awards and Citations: Medal of Honor. MilitaryTimes.com. Retrieved June 29, 2010.
  8. "United States Registers of Enlistments in the U.S. Army, 1798-1914," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJDR-461Q : 24 May 2014), Bernhard Jetter, 05 Jun 1893; citing p. 271, volume 090, Fort Sheridan, , Illinois, United States, NARA microfilm publication M233 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 47; FHL microfilm 1,319,380.
  9. "New York, New York City Marriage Records, 1829-1940," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:24QF-GLC : 20 March 2015), Bernhard Jetter and Rose Elizabeth Wagner, 03 Jun 1916; citing Marriage, Manhattan, New York, New York, United States, New York City Municipal Archives, New York; FHL microfilm 1,614,519.
  10. "New York, New York City Municipal Deaths, 1795-1949," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2W52-7Y6 : 20 March 2015), Bernhard Jetter, 23 Aug 1927; citing Death, Manhattan, New York, New York, United States, New York Municipal Archives, New York; FHL microfilm 2,048,625.
  11. Bernhard Jetter at Find a Grave
  12. "Medal of Honor recipients". Indian War Campaigns. United States Army Center of Military History. June 8, 2009. Retrieved June 29, 2009.
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