John Denny

Sgt. John Denny, c.1900

Library of Congress

Quick Facts

Significance:

Buffalo Soldier, Medal of Honor recipient

Place of Birth:

Big Flats, New York

Date of Birth:

1846

Place of Death:

Washington D.C.

Date of Death:

November 28, 1901

Place of Burial:

Washington D.C.

Cemetery Name:

U.S. Soldiers' and Airmen's Home National Cemetery

John Denny enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1867 in Elmira, New York and served with C Troop of the Ninth Cavalry in the western plains.  Late in 1879, Denny was serving as acting Sergeant of B Troop, Ninth Cavalry while they meandered their way through the arid lands of New Mexico in search of Apache Indians who left their reservations. 

While on patrol, Denny’s troop unknowingly rode into an ambush staged by the Apache they were pursuing. A fierce firefight ensued, and casualties began to mount. One of those causalities, Private A. Freeland was laying incapacitated in an open area of the battlefield, exposed to enemy fire. Upon witnessing this, Denny raced out to Freeland and picked him up and carried him to safety while taking fire from the enemy. Miraculously, Freeland lived to fight another day, thanks to the selfless actions of his fellow trooper, Sergeant John Denny.

For reasons unknown, Denny would not receive any award or citation for his bravery in the immediate years that followed. Twelve years later, with Denny’s former commanding officer attesting and other troopers vouching, Denny received the Medal of Honor in 1891. Perhaps it was the legendary tale of Denny’s actions that allowed his story to live on for twelve years, or possibly that the paperwork finally had made its way through the rank and file in Washington? His Medal of Honor citation reads as follows: "Removed a wounded comrade, under a heavy fire, to a place of safety."

John Denny retired from Army service in 1897 at the rank of Corporal. He was promoted to Sergeant on a few occasions, only to be busted down in rank as a result of unruly behavior for fighting and brawling. Nonetheless, his battlefield actions were never lessened by these unfortunate circumstances. After 30 years of service in the U.S. Army, Denny retired in Nebraska. He received a small pension and supplemented it with a job at Fort Robinson. He lived there until 1899 when he took ill and had to relocate to the U.S. Soldiers’ Home in Washington D.C. His health continued to deteriorate and on November 28th, 1901, John Denny passed away.

Sgt. John Denny is buried along with other military veterans at the U.S. Soldiers' and Airmen's Home National Cemetery in Washington D.C.