The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Sergeant John A. Kirkwood, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 9 September 1876, while serving with Company M, 3d U.S. Cavalry, in action at Slim Buttes, Dakota Territory. Sergeant Kirkwood bravely endeavored to dislodge some Sioux Indians secreted in a ravine.