William E. Birkhimer

William Edward Birkhimer (March 1, 1848 – June 10, 1914) was an United States Army Brigadier General and lawyer received the Medal of Honor while a Captain during the Philippine-American War. His career was long and varied, as he started as an Iowa private in the Union Army during the Civil War.

Career Dates

 * March 21, 1864, Private, 4th Iowa Cavalry
 * June 15, 1870 Commissioned second lieutenant from United States Military Academy, US Artillery Corps
 * 1873 Honor Graduate, Artillery School
 * 1874-1876 Assistant Professor of Natural & Experimental Philosophy
 * July 29, 1876 promoted to First Lieutenant
 * 1886-1890 Judge Advocate, Department of the Columbia
 * April 21, 1887 promoted to Captain
 * 1889 L.L.D. University of Oregon
 * 1899 Associate Justice Supreme Court of the Philippines (audencial) Manila, Philippines
 * 1900, Colonel of volunteers, 28th Volunteer Infantry
 * August 1, 1902 promoted to Major
 * May 20, 1905 promoted to Lieutenant Colonel
 * February 15, 1906 promoted to Brigadier General
 * February 16, 1906 retired at own request

Birkhimer is the grandfather of Williston Birkhimer Palmer and Charles Day Palmer, brothers who became four-star generals.

Medal of Honor citation
Rank and Organization: Captain, 3d U.S. Artillery. Place and Date: At San Miguel de Mayumo, Luzon, Philippine Islands, May 13, 1899. Entered Service At: Iowa. Birth: Somerset, Ohio. Date of Issue: July 15, 1902.

Citation:

"With 12 men charged and routed 300 of the enemy."