Samuel A. Cherry

Samuel Austin Cherry (April 14, 1850 – May 11, 1881) was a lieutenant in the United States Army. He spent most of his military career at posts in Wyoming and Nebraska. In 1879, he participated in the Battle of Milk Creek, where he commanded a group of 20 men in a rear-guard action that allowed their column to make an orderly withdrawal from a superior Ute force and establish a defensive position. Cherry was able to bring all 20 of his men back to the column.

In 1881, while based at Fort Niobrara, Nebraska, Cherry was killed by a drunken soldier. In 1883, his name was given to the newly organized Cherry County, Nebraska, which included Ft. Niobrara.

Early life

Cherry was born April 14, 1850, in Lagrange, Indiana, and spent his boyhood there. In 1870, he was admitted to the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York. There, he pushed a classmate away from a falling cannon, which collided with Cherry. The injury left him with a limp for the rest of his life.