Walter Emmett graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1877. He retired as a Colonel in the New York National Guard.
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Walter Emmett graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1877. He retired as a Colonel in the New York National Guard.
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The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Second Lieutenant Robert Temple Emmet, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 18 September 1879, while serving with 9th U.S. Cavalry, in action at Las Animas Canyon, New Mexico. Lieutenant Emmet was in G Troop, which was sent to relieve a detachment of soldiers under attack by hostile Apaches. During a flank attack on the Indian camp, made to divert the hostiles, Lieutenant Emmet and five of his men became surrounded when the Indians returned to defend their camp. Finding that the Indians were making for a position from which they could direct their fire on the retreating troop, the Lieutenant held his point with his party until the soldiers reached the safety of a canyon. Lieutenant Emmet then continued to hold his position while his party recovered their horses. The enemy force consisted of approximately 200.