Floyd Henry Crumbly was born on May 10, 1859, to Robert and Mariah Crumbly. His father was a slave and his mother a free woman of color. In 1876, he enlisted as a Private in Company I of the 10th Cavalry and served until 1881. During his enlisted years he served in Texas and present-day Oklahoma campaigning against the Northern Cheyenne, eventually rising to become the post sergeant major at Fort Stockton, Texas. After his discharge he returned to Atlanta, where he served as a business owner and later founded the Negro Historical Society of Atlanta. He received an appointment to the city’s Black militia battalion and went on to serve his country again by obtaining a commission in 10th U.S. Volunteer Infantry during the Spanish-American War, serving from July 1, 1898, to March 8, 1899. He then served with the 49th U.S. Volunteer Infantry during the Philippine Insurrection, leaving the military for good in 1901. Two years later he moved to Los Angeles, where the years of service began to take a toll on his health. Still, Crumbly volunteered yet again when America became involved in World War I, although he did not serve. In 1922, Crumbly was sent to the National Military Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers in Sawtelle, California, where he died on November 14, 1929. 

Floyd H. Crumbly was born on May 10, 1859 in Rome, Floyd County, Georgia. His father was Robert Crumbly and his mother was Sarah Crumbly. Floyd also had a sister, Sarah Jane Crumbly, who was about sixteen years older than him. He was also Protestant. 
Floyd enlisted into the US Army on November 17, 1876. He served on the 10th US Cavalry during the Indian Wars, where he may have fought on horseback. Floyd was discharged on November 16, 1881.  
On December 14, 1881, he married Lula Goldsmith, who gave birth to their daughter, thirteen years prior in 1868. Their second daughter, Flora Crumbly was later born in Georgia in 1885. Their son, Floyd Henry Crumbly Jr. was born in 1889, but only lived to be one year old. He passed on August 8, 1890.  
Eight years later, Floyd enlisted into the Army again on July 21, 1898 in Atlanta, Georgia to serve on the 10th US Infantry. By this time, he had achieved the rank of Sergeant, indicating that he most likely commanded a platoon of soldiers. His wife, Lula, eventually died on October 18, 1892. Floyd went on to enlist again on September 9, 1899 in Atlanta, Georgia to serve on the 49th US Infantry. During his service, he received the rank of Captain and was discharged on June 30, 1901.  
Nine years later, Floyd moved to Los Angeles, California with his wife Myrtle B. Carter. However, in 1917, Floyd reentered for the final time to serve as a medic. He left on June 27, 1919 because of “end of conflict.” This indicates that his duty was done due to the end of the war. During this time period, Floyd was admitted into the Sawtelle National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers due to paralysis on the right side of his body. He also suffered from moderately advanced tuberculosis, which is an infectious bacterial disease that affects the lungs.  
Floyd went on to work as a Real Estate Broker in 1920, until his passing on November 14, 1929. 
 
 
This biography was researched and written by students as part of the Digital Veterans Legacy Project at Loyola Marymount University, funded by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the National Cemetery 
Administration. 

Los Angeles National Cemetery

Thank you Sir, for serving and loving a country, that did not necessarily love you back. Your service was not in vain, for your service as a Buffalo Soldier, opened up many doors for many to follow. Rest Easy. (fellow soldier)

Thanks for your faithful service, Sgt. Maj. It's men like you whose service helped make America great, despite our failings.

FLOYD H CRUMBLY

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