Spanish-American War United States Army Officer. A veteran of many Civil War battles including Shiloh and Chickamauga, he was the Colonel and commander of the 22nd United States Regular Infantry regiment at the outset of the Spanish-American War. He led his men from its frontier outpost in Nebraska to its troop deployment in Cuba in June 1898, then was transferred to command the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division of Major General William Shafter's V Army Corps. While leading his brigade in the assault on San Juan Hill, he lead the 13th United States Infantry across the San Juan River, and, heedless of the enemy fire from Spanish fortifications only 500 yards way, directed the deployment of the 13th United States Regular Infantry in an open field. He paid for his bravery, being struck down by a Spanish Mauser bullet, and dying only a few minutes later. The enemy fire at that position was so intense that two of the officers who succeeded him in command of the brigade were also wounded minutes after Colonel Wikoff. Colonel Charles Wikoff was the highest ranking American Army officer to die in combat during the conflict.
Spanish-American War United States Army Officer. A veteran of many Civil War battles including Shiloh and Chickamauga, he was the Colonel and commander of the 22nd United States Regular Infantry regiment at the outset of the Spanish-American War. He led his men from its frontier outpost in Nebraska to its troop deployment in Cuba in June 1898, then was transferred to command the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division of Major General William Shafter's V Army Corps. While leading his brigade in the assault on San Juan Hill, he lead the 13th United States Infantry across the San Juan River, and, heedless of the enemy fire from Spanish fortifications only 500 yards way, directed the deployment of the 13th United States Regular Infantry in an open field. He paid for his bravery, being struck down by a Spanish Mauser bullet, and dying only a few minutes later. The enemy fire at that position was so intense that two of the officers who succeeded him in command of the brigade were also wounded minutes after Colonel Wikoff. Colonel Charles Wikoff was the highest ranking American Army officer to die in combat during the conflict.
Bio by: Rich H.
Inscription
"Colonel, Twent-Second Regiment of Infantry, U.S. Army. Killed In Battle Before Santiago De Cuba, Durring The Assault on San Juan Hill, While in Command Of The Third Brigade, First Division, Fifth Army Corps, July 1st 1898"
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