William E. Birkhimer

William Edward Birkhimer (March 1, 1848 – June 10, 1914) was a United States Army brigadier general and lawyer received the Medal of Honor while a captain during the Philippine–American War.^[1] His career was long and varied, as he started as an Iowa private in the Union Army during the Civil War. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.^[2]

William Edward Birkhimer
William Edward Birkhimer, Medal of Honor recipient
Born	(1848-03-01)March 1, 1848 Somerset, Ohio, U.S.
Died	June 10, 1914(1914-06-10) (aged 66) Washington, D.C., U.S.
Place of burial	Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance	United States Union
Branch	United States Army Union Army
Years of service	1864–1906
Rank	Brigadier general
Unit	3rd U.S. Artillery
Battles / wars	American Civil War Philippine American War Moro Rebellion
Awards	Medal of Honor
Relations	Williston B. Palmer, Charles D. Palmer (grandsons)

Career dates

Birkhimer was inducted as a private in the 4th Iowa Cavalry on March 21, 1864, and Mustered out of service August 8, 1865. On September 1, 1866, he entered West Point as a cadet and on June 15, 1870, was Commissioned second lieutenant from United States Military Academy, 3rd Artillery Regiment. He was an Honor Graduate, Artillery School 1873.

From 1874 to 1876 Assistant professor of natural & experimental philosophy. On April 10, 1879, he promoted to first lieutenant. For 1886 through 1890 he was a Judge Advocate for Department of the Columbia. On February 10, 1898, he was promoted to captain. He received his L.L.D. from University of Oregon in 1889.

He became an Associate Justice Supreme Court of the Philippines (audencial) Manila, Philippines in 1899. On July 5, 1899, he became a Colonel in the 28th United States Volunteer Infantry. On May 1, 1901, he mustered out of volunteers.

He was promoted to major, Artillery Corps August 1, 1901 and on May 20, 1905, was promoted to lieutenant colonel, Artillery Corps. He was promoted to brigadier general February 15, 1906 and on February 16, 1906 retired at his own request.

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

Awards

Grave at Arlington National Cemetery

• Medal of Honor
• Civil War Campaign Medal
• Indian Campaign Medal
• Spanish Campaign Medal
• Philippine Campaign Medal

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.

Books

• Birkhimer, William E. (1914). Military Government and Martial Law (revised, 1914, third ed.). Kansas City, Missouri: Franklin Hudson Publishing Co.

See also

• Biography portal
• American Civil War portal

• List of Medal of Honor recipients
• List of Philippine–American War Medal of Honor recipients