The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Corporal Charles Albert Bessey, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 13 January 1877, while serving with Company A, 3d U.S. Cavalry, in action at Elkhorn Creek, Wyoming. While scouting with four men and attacked in ambush by 14 hostile Indians, Corporal Bessey held his ground, two of his men being wounded, and kept up the fight until himself wounded in the side, and then went to the assistance of his wounded comrades.