COMMANDER // 1835–1906
William Shafter
Lifespan
1835 – 1906
Active service 1898 — 1 battle across 1 war; first command at age 63.
Profile
William Rufus Shafter was a Union Army officer during the American Civil War who received US highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions at the Battle of Fair Oaks. Shafter also played a prominent part as a major general in the Spanish–American War. Fort Shafter, Hawaii, is named for him, as well as the city of Shafter, California and the ghost town of Shafter, Texas. He was nicknamed "Pecos Bill", inspiration for the fictional character of the same name in tall tales.
Battles (1)
1898
San Juan HeightsSpanish-American War · United States