More information:

https://www.nps.gov/people/brent-woods.htm

https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1984/10/29/black-war-hero-finally-honored/b330f89e-8dc4-4153-8f01-f8671cde39b5/

https://www.cem.va.gov/pdf/AfricanAmericans_MilitaryService_CivilWar_through_WWI.pdf

Sergeant Brent Woods (Indian Wars) is a Notable burial at https://www.cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/millsprings.asp. Kentucky-born Brent Woods enlisted in the U.S. Army in Louisville by 1878. He was a career soldier who served until 1902; he retired as a sergeant and returned to Kentucky. Woods saw action in the western territories, and on August 19, 1881, he saved the lives of his detachment there. In July 1894, that bravery was recognized with the Medal of Honor. Woods died August 20, 1906,  Woods was born a slave in Pulaski County, Kentucky and freed at the age of 8. He joined the US Army from Louisville, Kentucky in October 1873 at the age of 18 (although initially claiming to be 23) and was assigned to Company B of the 9th Cavalry Regiment. On August 19, 1881, he participated in a battle at Gavilan Canyon in New Mexico against Chief Nana and a small band of Apaches. After the deaths of six men in his cavalry, including his lieutenant, Woods took command and fought to save the lives of many of his comrades. Thirteen years later, on July 12, 1894, Sergeant Woods was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the engagement. He retired from the army in November 1902 and returned to Somerset. Woods died in 1906 at the age of 50 or 51 and was buried in an unmarked grave at the First Baptist Church of Somerset.

Knowledge of Sergeant Woods' achievements remained largely obscured until 1982 when Lorraine Smith of Somerset started a campaign to mark Woods' grave. On June 20, 1984, the US Army exhumed Woods' remains and gave him a full military funeral on October 28.  https://www.cmohs.org/recipients/brent-woods
*The preceding content is not intended as a comprehensive biography, but it highlights their significance as a result of military or civilian distinction, lasting achievements, or association with impactful national events. 

BRENT WOODS

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