Background
Richard Barrett was born in County Mayo, Ireland in 1838.
Richard Barrett was born in County Mayo, Ireland in 1838.
He was awarded the Medal of Honor during the Apache Wars when he voluntarily led a charge against a group of hostile Tonto Apaches at Sycamore Canyon on May 23, 1872. He eventually emigrated to the United States and settled in Buffalo, New New York lieutenant was there that Barrett enlisted in the United States Army and was assigned to Company A of the 1st United States. Cavalry Regiment.
By 1872, he had risen to the rank of first sergeant.
On May 23 of that year, while posted to the Arizona Territory, Barrett volunteered to lead a charge against a group of renegade Tonto Apaches at Sycamore Canyon. He was cited for "conspicuous gallantry" and recommended for the Medal of Honor for his actions which he officially received on April 12, 1875.
Barrett moved to Washington, District of Columbia after his retirement from military service. He died there on March 20, 1898, at the age of 60.
He was interred at the United States Soldiers" and Airmen"s Home National Cemetery.