Five men from Havre - Five extraordinary heroes

From the H. Earl Clack Memorial Museum

By James W. Spangelo

The H. Earl Clack Memorial Museum, for Black History Month, is honoring the five members of the Afro-American 10th Calvary who were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for their service in the Campaign for the Liberation of Cuba, which is also called the Spanish–American War, in 1898.

Some of the 10th Calvary was stationed at Fort Assinniboine starting in 1892, and almost all of the regiment’s Troops were stationed at the Fort by 1898, including our five heroes. After War was declared the Regiment prepared to be called to service, and was it was called to service in late spring 1898. They marched out of Fort Assinniboine on Easter Sunday 1898, and were in combat in June and July.

Following are their citations:

Private Fitz Lee

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Private Fitz Lee, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 30 June 1898, while serving with Troop M, 10th U. S. Cavalry, in action at Tayabacoa, Cuba. Private Lee voluntarily went ashore in the face of the enemy and aided in the rescue of his wounded comrades; this after several previous attempts at rescue had been frustrated.

General Orders: Date of issue: June 23, 1899.

Private Dennis Bell

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Private Dennis Bell, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 30 June 1898, while serving with Troop H, 10th U. S. Cavalry, in action at Tayabacoa, Cuba. Private Bell voluntarily went ashore in the face of the enemy and aided in the rescue of his wounded comrades; this after several previous attempts at rescue had been frustrated.

General Orders: Date of issue: June 23, 1899.

Private George Henry Wanton

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Private George Henry Wanton, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 30 June 1898, while serving with Troop M, 10th U. S. Cavalry, in action at Tayabacoa, Cuba. Private Wanton voluntarily went ashore in the face of the enemy and aided in the rescue of his wounded comrades; this after several previous attempts at rescue had been frustrated.

General Order: Date of Issue: June 23, 1899.

Private William H. Thompkins

The President of the United States, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Private William H. Thompkins, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 30 June 1898, while serving with Troop G, 10th U. S. Cavalry, in action at Tayabacoa, Cuba. Private Thompkins voluntarily went ashore in the face of the enemy and aided in the rescue of his wounded comrades; this after several previous attempts at rescue had been frustrated.

General Orders: Date of Issue: June 23, 1899.

Sergeant Major Edward Lee Baker, Jr.

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Sargent Major Edward Lee Baker, Jr., United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 1 July 1898, while serving with 10th U.S. Cavalry, in action at Santiago, Cuba. Sergeant Major Baker left cover and, under fire, rescued a wounded comrade from drowning.

General Orders: Date of Issue: July 3, 1902

Gentlemen, thank you for your service