Background
William C. Bryan, was born on September 9, 1852, in Zanesville, Ohio.
William C. Bryan, was born on September 9, 1852, in Zanesville, Ohio.
His award came for gallantry during the American Indian Wars. He enlisted into the United States Army at Saint Louis, Missouri, United States, and was made a Hospital Steward, in the Medical Company of the Department of the Platte under Assistant Surgeon Curtis East. Munn. The Department of the Platte was commanded by Brigadier General George R. Crook.
Bryan accompanied the Big Horn Expedition in March, 1876, and on March 17, was attached to Company K, of the 2nd United States Cavalry Regiment during Battle of Powder River, when the troop was ordered by Colonel Joseph J. Reynolds, to charge a Cheyenne encampment.
In the charge on the village of Indians, Bryan"s horse was killed under him. Bryan continued to fight on foot, and carried two wounded soldiers to safety, inevitably saving them from capture.
William was later promoted to the rank of Captain. Bryan was cremated in Inglewood Park Cemetery, Los Angeles, California, and his ashes were buried in Fairmount Cemetery in Denver, Colorado.