Charles A. Bessey

Charles A. Bessey (1848–1909) was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions in the Indian Wars of the western United States.

Biography Bessey was born in Reading, Massachusetts in 1848. By January 13, 1877, he was serving as a corporal in Company A of the 3rd Cavalry Regiment

On that day, Bessey and three privates were repairing a telegraph line between Forts Laramie and Fetterman in eastern Wyoming Territory when they learned that Native Americans had attacked three herders close by, Aged 60 or 61 at his death, he was buried in Biloxi City Cemetery, Biloxi, Mississippi.

Medal of Honor citation Bessey's official Medal of Honor citation reads: While scouting with 4 men and attacked in ambush by 14 hostile Indians, held his ground, 2 of his men being wounded, and kept up the fight until himself wounded in the side, and then went to the assistance of his wounded comrades.