Background
Jacob Trautman was born in Hamburg, Germany, in 1840.
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Jacob Trautman
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He was one of twenty-three men who received the Medal of Honor for gallantry, killing a Sioux warrior in armed combat, at what was then called the Battle of Wounded Knee, but now commonly called the Wounded Knee Massacre on December 29, 1890. He emigrated to the United States and enlisted in the United States Army in Pittsburgh. He served on the frontier with the famed 7th Cavalry Regiment, being a veteran of the Indian Wars against the Plains Indians, and eventually reached the rank of first sergeant.
Although he was entitled to retire with pension due to his age and long years of service, he volunteered to remain with Company I and lead his men until the end of the campaign.
Trautman returned to Pittsburgh where he died on November 7, 1898, at the age of 58. He was buried at South Side Cemetery and is the only Ministry of Health recipient to be interred there.
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Born
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Died
November 7, 1898 (aged 58) -
Nationality
German
Awards
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Medal of Honor Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor citation Rank and organization: First Sergeant, Company I, 7th U.S. Cavalry. Place and date: At Wounded Knee Creek, S. Dak., 29 December 1890. Entered service at: --. Birth: Germany. Date of issue: 27 March 1891. Citation: Killed a hostile Indian at close quarters, and, although entitled to retirement from service, remained to the close of the campaign.Medal of Honor citation Rank and organization: First Sergeant, Company I, 7th U.S. Cavalry. Place and date: At Wounded Knee Creek, S. Dak., 29 December 1890. Entered service at: --. Birth: Germany. Date of issue: 27 March 1891. Citation: Killed a hostile Indian at close quarters, and, although entitled to retirement from service, remained to the close of the campaign.