Honoring Kinney County's Medal of Honor Legacy

As Americans pause on Tuesday, March 25th, 2025, to observe National Medal of Honor Day, we are called to reflect on the highest ideals of courage, sacrifice, and patriotism. This solemn day honors recipients of the Medal of Honor—the highest military decoration awarded for acts of valor that go "above and beyond the call of duty." Yet, for those of us in Kinney County, Texas, this national recognition also serves as a deeply personal reminder of the heroes who walked on the very ground we call home.

Just one month after this national observance, we approach the 150th anniversary of the Bullis Medal of Honor Fight at the mouth of the Pecos River—an event that not only shaped local history but left an indelible mark on the nation’s military heritage. On April 25, 1875, during a confrontation with Comanche warriors, three Seminole-Negro Indian Scouts—Sergeant John Ward, Trumpeter Isaac Payne, and Private Pompey Factor—risked their lives to save 1st Lieutenant John L. Bullis of the 24th Infantry. Their gallantry earned each of them the Medal of Honor, and their legacy lives on in Kinney County, where they are laid to rest.

All three heroes are buried at the Seminole Indian Scout Cemetery alongside fellow scout and Medal of Honor recipient Adam Paine, whose valor was demonstrated at the Battle of Palo Duro Canyon in 1874. Paine's actions in service to Col. R. S. Mackenzie of the 4th U.S. Cavalry were described as “invaluable,” leading to his receiving the Medal of Honor on October 13, 1875.

In an unimaginable fate, Paine was killed in 1876 by another Medal of Honor recipient, Claron A. Windus, then serving as Kinney County’s Deputy Sheriff, while attempting to arrest Paine on a murder warrant. Windus himself had earned the Medal of Honor for gallantry in action at the Wichita River, Texas, on July 12, 1870. He is buried at the Masonic Cemetery in Brackettville. This unlikely event, and the only recorded incident in which one Medal of Honor recipient was killed by another, is well documented as the “Incident on Las Moras Creek,” by Charles M. Neal. 

With five Medal of Honor recipients buried in Kinney County, we have the highest number per capita in the entire country. This is not just a point of pride—it is a call to preserve, teach, and honor the rich and often complicated history that surrounds us.

Learning about our local history isn’t simply an academic exercise—it is a way to understand the character of our community. It helps us appreciate the sacrifices made by those who came before us, and it reminds us of the values that can unite us: bravery, integrity, service, and justice. These stories deserve to be passed down through generations—not only to remember the past but to inspire the future.

As we commemorate National Medal of Honor Day and the upcoming anniversary of the Bullis Fight, let us rededicate ourselves to learning about and honoring the heroes in our own backyard. We would not be here without them. 

We extend sincere gratitude to William F. Haenn for his tireless efforts in preserving and sharing the history of Fort Clark and beyond, and for sharing images and information for this article. His contributions continue to illuminate the extraordinary legacy of our Medal of Honor recipients and ensure that their stories are not forgotten. 

All are encouraged to visit the Unit Memorial at historic Fort Clark which honors all of the MOH recipients who served at Fort Clark, as well as the new exhibits at the Fort Clark Visitor Center, presented by the Fort Clark Heritage Council.