Patrick Golden

Patrick Golden (c. 1836 – May 25, 1872) was an Irish-born soldier in the U.S. Army who served with the 8th U.S. Cavalry during the Indian Wars. He was one of 34 men received the Medal of Honor for "bravery in scouts and actions" in several engagements against the Apache Indians in the Arizona Territory from August to October 1868.

Biography A native of County Sligo, Ireland, Patrick Golden emigrated to the United States and eventually enlisted in the U.S. Army in San Francisco, California. He became a member of the 8th U.S. Cavalry and was assigned to frontier duty in the Arizona Territory. From August to October 1868, Golden was part of a small force, one of two companies numbering 50–60 troopers, tasked to protect settlements from Apache war parties. In this 90-day period, Golden and other soldiers frequently faced the Apaches in heavy fighting, especially in ambushes and sniper attacks, during their patrols. At the end of the campaign, Golden was one of 34 soldiers to receive the Medal of Honor for "bravery in scouts and actions against Indians".