Indian Campaigns Medal of Honor Recipient. Born in Virginia, he served as a Buffalo Soldier Corporal in Company B, 24th US Army Infantry. At Cedar Springs, Arizona, May 11, 1889, Corporal Mays and Sergeant Benjamin Brown were part of an escort for a Army paymaster when a violent robbery was attempted by masked cowboys. Corporal Mays and Sergeant Brown in heroic action fend off the bandits, saved the payroll and eight of the attackers were arrested. For extreme bravery, he and Sergeant Benjamin Brown were awarded the Medal of Honor on February 19, 1890. After dying at the Territorial Insane Asylum, he was originally buried there in a nearby cemetery. Originally having a grave marker with only an assigned number, a federal Military Marker was placed on his grave in 2001. In March 2009, Mays' remains were disinterred, cremated and placed in Arlington National Cemetery with military honors.
Current Burial Location
Prior Burial Location
Current Burial Location
Prior Burial Location
Indian Campaigns Medal of Honor Recipient. Born in Virginia, he served as a Buffalo Soldier Corporal in Company B, 24th US Army Infantry. At Cedar Springs, Arizona, May 11, 1889, Corporal Mays and Sergeant Benjamin Brown were part of an escort for a Army paymaster when a violent robbery was attempted by masked cowboys. Corporal Mays and Sergeant Brown in heroic action fend off the bandits, saved the payroll and eight of the attackers were arrested. For extreme bravery, he and Sergeant Benjamin Brown were awarded the Medal of Honor on February 19, 1890. After dying at the Territorial Insane Asylum, he was originally buried there in a nearby cemetery. Originally having a grave marker with only an assigned number, a federal Military Marker was placed on his grave in 2001. In March 2009, Mays' remains were disinterred, cremated and placed in Arlington National Cemetery with military honors.
Current Burial Location
Prior Burial Location
Current Burial Location
Prior Burial Location
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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