John Chowning Gresham

Who was John Chowning Gresham?

John Chowning Gresham was an officer in the United States Army who was a recipient of the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Indian Wars.

After graduating from the military academy he accepted a commission int the United States Army and saw combat in several battles during the American Indian wars including the Battle of Canyon Creek. He was assigned to the Department of Dakota until 1884 when he was assigned to the Virginia Agricultural College as a Professor of Military Science and Tactics. In 1887 he returned to the campaigns against the Indians where he was injured and received his Medal of Honor for his actions during the Wounded Knee Massacre. He continued getting promoted until achieving the rank of Colonel before retiring in 1915.

After he retired he was recalled to active duty to command the ROTC and SATC programs at the University of Denver as a member of the California National Guard until the programs were disbanded in 1918. He died in San Diego, California in 1926 and is buried in San Francisco National Cemetery.