Sgt. Emanuel Stance Earned Medal of Honor at Fort McKavett in 1870

Despite being born into slavery in Louisiana in 1844, Emanuel Stance made the most of his newly won freedom when he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1866. In more than 20 years of service, he saw action in several battles during the Indian Wars fought in Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska, including one that earned him the Medal of Honor.