Maj Gen Henry Lawton - Lawton, OK
N 34° 37.015 W 098° 23.900
14S E 555158 N 3830726
The city's namesake stands as a centerpiece of the park complex. He fought in the Civil War as well as along the Rough Riders in the Spanish American War.
Waymark Code: WMA05K
Location: Oklahoma, United States
Date Posted: 10/24/2010
Views: 6
Major General Henry Ware Lawton (1843-1899)
Henry Ware Lawton enlisted in the Union forces at the outvreak of the Civil War at the age of seventeen. He recieved the Congressional Medal of Honor for heroism at the Battle of Atlanta. He was discharged November 25, 1865 with the brevet rank of colonel.
Lawton rejoined the army in 1867, after attending Harvard Law School, and served throughout the Indian Wars. In the spring of 1886, Lwton was chosen to lead a select group of troops into Mexico in pursuit of the Apache Chief, Geronimo. After a strenuous three month chase, Lawton convinced Geronimo to surrender and return with his people to Arizona in September 1886.
At the beginning of the Spanish American War, Lawton was sent to Cuba where he distinguished hmself by the capture of El Caney and by providing support for Teddy Roosevelt and his Rough Riders in their charge on San Juan Hill.
At the close of the war, he was sent to the hillippines in March 1899. During the Battle of San Mateo, while he strode along the front line, as was his custom, he was shot and killed at 9:00 am, December 18, 1899. In a matter of weeks, over one hundred thousand dollars was raised for his widow and four children out of respect and love for the service he had given to his country.
His body rests in Arlington National Cemetery, Washington DC
The City of Lawton, Oklahoma was named in honor of General Lawton on August 6, 1901.
Type of memorial: Statue
Location: Park
Public or private: Public
Who placed it?: Lawton City Council
When was it placed?: 8/6/2004
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Visit Instructions:
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