William Rufus Shafter | |
---|---|
Nickname(s) | "Pecos Bill" |
Born | October 16, 1835 Galesburg, Michigan, U.S. |
Died | November 12, 1906 Bakersfield, California, U.S. | (aged 71)
Place of burial | San Francisco National Cemetery, San Francisco, California, U.S. |
Allegiance | United States (Union) |
Service | United States Army (Union Army) |
Years of service | 1861–1901 |
Rank | Major General |
Unit | 7th Michigan Infantry Regiment 19th Michigan Infantry Regiment |
Commands | 17th U.S. Colored Infantry Regiment 24th U.S. Infantry Regiment Fifth Army Corps Department of California |
Battles / wars | List
|
Awards | Medal of Honor |
William Rufus Shafter (October 16, 1835 – November 12, 1906) was a Union Army officer during the American Civil War who received America's highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions at the Battle of Fair Oaks. Shafter also played a prominent part as a major general in the Spanish–American War. Fort Shafter, Hawaii, is named for him, as well as the city of Shafter, California and the ghost town of Shafter, Texas. He was nicknamed "Pecos Bill",[1] inspiration for the fictional character of the same name in tall tales.