John W. Heard

John William (or Wilkinson)[1] Heard (March 27, 1860 – February 4, 1922) was a United States Army Brigadier General who was a recipient of the Medal of Honor for valor in action on July 23, 1898, near Bahia Honda, Cuba.

John W. Heard
Born(1860-03-27)March 27, 1860
Senatobia, Mississippi, U.S.
DiedFebruary 4, 1922(1922-02-04) (aged 61)
New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service/branchUnited States Army
Years of service1883–1922
RankBrigadier General
Commands held14th Cavalry Regiment
9th Cavalry Regiment
Hawaiian Department
4th Cavalry Regiment
5th Cavalry Regiment
8th Cavalry Regiment
Battles/warsSpanish–American War
Philippine–American War
World War I
AwardsMedal of Honor

Early life and education

Heard was born on Woodstock Plantation, near Senatobia, Mississippi.[2] He was appointed to West Point, graduating with the class of 1883.[3] Several of his fellow classmates would go on to become general officers in their careers, such as Charles W. Kennedy, George H. Cameron, Harry C. Hale, George W. Read, Lawrence Tyson, Ira A. Haynes, Samson L. Faison, William C. Langfitt, Robert D. Walsh, Omar Bundy, Charles G. Morton, Tyree R. Rivers, John W. Ruckman, Isaac Littell and Clarence R. Edwards.

During the Spanish–American War

Heard deployed to Cuba as part of the 3rd US Cavalry.[2] He departed Florida with his unit and 40-50 Cuban soldiers aboard the wooden fruit transport Wanderer, landing near the mouth of the Mani-Mani River near Bahia Hondo, west of Havana. A force of nearly 1,000 Spanish Cavalry charged Heard's vastly outnumbered force as they were unloading supplies on the beach. Heard's command of his men halted the Spanish force's charge and caused them to fall back. Heard successfully regrouped his men and had them reboard their ship, evacuating all of his soldiers and wounded, leaving no one behind.[4][5] Lieutenant Heard was awarded the Medal of Honor on June 21, 1899, for his actions at the Battle of Mani-Mani.[3]

During World War I

He was promoted to brigadier general in the National Army on October 1, 1918. He commanded the Hawaiian Department.[2]

Postwar career

In June 1919, Heard reverted to his permanent rank of colonel. Prior to the war, he had commanded the 8th Cavalry Regiment, the 5th Cavalry Regiment and then the 4th Cavalry Regiment. After the war, Heard commanded the 9th Cavalry Regiment at Camp Stotsenburg in the Philippines from September 1919 to November 1920. Returning to the United States, he commanded the 14th Cavalry Regiment at Fort Sam Houston from December 1920 to January 1922.[6]

Medal of Honor citation

"For extraordinary heroism on 23 July 1898, while serving with 3d U.S. Cavalry, in action at Bahia Honda, Cuba. After two men had been shot down by Spaniards while transmitting orders to the engine-room on the Wanderer, the ship having become disabled, First Lieutenant Heard took the position held by them and personally transmitted the orders, remaining at his post until the ship was out of danger."[3]

Other awards and honors

He was recognized by Hawaii's legislature for his services upon retirement.[2]

Family and personal life

He married Mildred Jewell Townsend of New York City on June 3, 1886. Together, they had five sons.[2]

Death and legacy

He died on February 4, 1922, in New Orleans.[2] Heard and his wife were buried at the West Point Cemetery.[7]

References
  1. Poole, Joyce Perkerson (2005). A Heard Family Record-based History: The First Five Generations in America. Baltimore, MD: Gateway Press. p. 385. ISBN 978-0740456473 – via Google Books.
  2. Davis, Henry Blaine Jr. (1998). Generals in Khaki. Raleigh, NC: Pentland Press, Inc. p. 169. ISBN 1571970886.
  3. "John William Heard". Military Times Hall of Valor. Retrieved 2016-05-21.
  4. "The End of an Empire". HomeofHeroes.com. Retrieved 2009-04-12.
  5. Watts, Tim J. (2011). "Heard, John W.". America's Heroes: Medal of Honor Recipients from the Civil War to Afghanistan. ABC-CLIO. pp. 136–138. ISBN 9781598843934. Retrieved 2022-07-14.
  6. "John W. Heard". University of Chicago. Retrieved 2022-07-14.
  7. "Heard, Mildred J". Army Cemeteries Explorer. U.S. Army. Retrieved 2022-07-14.
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