Otto Emil Voit (February 5, 1845 – June 1, 1906) was a German-born immigrant and United States Army soldier who earned the nation's highest military honor, the Medal of Honor, for extraordinary bravery during the Battle of the Little Bighorn in 1876. His life traces a remarkable path: from an orphaned teenager emigrating from Freiburg, Germany, to a skilled saddler in the frontier cavalry, through decades of service marked by both hardship and heroism, to quiet retirement in Louisville, Kentucky.
Early Life and Immigration
Born on February 5, 1845, in Freiburg, Baden (Grand Duchy of Baden, now Baden-Württemberg, Germany), Otto was the son of Franz Wilhelm Friedrich Voit and Elisabetha Stein. Christened five days later on February 10 in a Catholic parish, he grew up in a region facing economic and political instability after the 1848 revolutions. Both parents died by the early 1850s, leaving him orphaned. His maternal grandfather, Xaver Stein, became his guardian and petitioned authorities in Freiburg for permission (and possible support) for Otto's emigration to North America, documented in Baden archival records referencing 1854 and 1862.
At age 17, Otto emigrated alone, departing Hamburg via Southampton and arriving in New York City on September 24, 1862, aboard the HAPAG steamship Borussia. Listed as a saddler by trade, he settled in Louisville, Kentucky—a growing hub for German immigrants—where opportunities in skilled labor and military service awaited.
Military Career
Voit enlisted in the U.S. Army from Louisville in December 1864 (likely December 1 or 8), joining as a saddler in the 13th Infantry during the final months of the Civil War. His expertise in leatherwork and horse equipment suited mounted units.
In February 1866, he deserted from a Missouri River post. He reenlisted in December 1866 under the alias "Frank May" in Company H, 7th U.S. Cavalry Regiment—George Armstrong Custer's famed unit. On December 15, 1873, he surrendered as a deserter and received clemency via Presidential proclamation, allowing continued service under his real name.
Voit served continuously in the 7th Cavalry through the Indian Wars, participating in campaigns including the Great Sioux War. He reenlisted periodically on October 9 dates: 1880 and 1885 at Fort Meade (Dakota Territory), 1890 in Topeka (Kansas), and 1895 at Fort Grant (Arizona Territory). He advanced to Saddler Sergeant, reflecting reliability in his specialized role maintaining cavalry gear.
His career spanned approximately 34 years (with the initial interruption), ending with an honorable discharge in 1898 at Fort Grant, Arizona Territory.
The Battle of the Little Bighorn and Medal of Honor
Voit's defining act occurred on June 25–26, 1876, at the Battle of the Little Bighorn, Montana Territory. Attached to Major Marcus Reno's battalion (Company H, under Captain Frederick Benteen), he helped defend Reno-Benteen Hill after Custer's detachment was annihilated.
Amid a two-day siege with heavy casualties and acute water shortages, Voit volunteered with Privates George Geiger, Charles Windolph, and Henry Mechlin to provide covering fire from an exposed hilltop position overlooking the Little Bighorn River. Standing erect under intense enemy fire, they fired continuously for over 20 minutes, diverting attention and suppressing fire to protect soldiers fetching canteens from the river below. Voit was wounded but survived.
For this gallantry, he received the Medal of Honor on October 5, 1878. The citation states: "Volunteered with George Geiger, Charles Windolph, and Henry Mechlin to hold an exposed position standing erect on the brow of the hill facing the Little Big Horn River. They fired constantly in this manner for more than 20 minutes diverting fire and attention from another group filling canteens of water that were desperately needed."
He was one of 24 7th Cavalry recipients for the battle, most from the Reno-Benteen defense.
Later Life and Death
After discharge, Voit returned to Louisville. The 1900 census lists him as a 55-year-old single boarder (born February 1845, immigrated 1862) in Ward 8 with James and Rebecca McCullough. He naturalized as a U.S. citizen in 1902.
Voit died on June 1, 1906, at age 61 from influenza, as confirmed by Louisville mortuary records. He was buried in Saint Stephen's Cemetery (a Catholic site serving German immigrants), where a Kentucky Historical Society marker honors his heroism.
Legacy
Otto Voit's story embodies immigrant contributions to the U.S. military: overcoming early setbacks through valor, serving faithfully in a pivotal regiment, and earning recognition in one of America's most studied battles. His legacy endures through historical markers, genealogical records, and accounts of Little Bighorn survivors.
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otto_Voit
- Congressional Medal of Honor Society: https://www.cmohs.org/recipients/otto-e-voit
- WikiTree Profile: https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Voit-33
- Kentucky Historical Society Marker: https://history.ky.gov/markers/saddler-sergeant-otto-voit
- Historical Marker Database: https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=161328
- Hall of Valor / Military Times: https://valor.militarytimes.com/recipient/recipient-2511
- FamilySearch Records (various): e.g., Baptism, Immigration, 1900 Census, Death, Enlistment Registers (M233 series entries for 1880, 1885, 1890, 1895)
- "Men with Custer: Biographies of the 7th Cavalry, June 25, 1876" by Ronald H. Nichols (editor), based on Kenneth Hammer's work (1995/updated editions)
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