Pvt Klein was born in Wurtemberg Germany, He enlisted into the US Army on May 31, 1866, at New York, NY. He was described as 5'7", blue eyes, light hair & a fair complexion. His civilian occupation was listed as clerk.

Klein also possibly had the aliases of Henrich Klein & Henry Klein.

Klien was assigned to Company C, 37th Infantry Regiment. He was discharged, when his enlistment expired on May 31, 1869, at Camp Lowell Arizona Territory.

On March 15, 1871, Klien reenlisted & was assigned to Company F, 7th US Cavalry.

Klein was eventually promoted to 1st Sergeant of Company F, but was demoted to private after being court-martialed in February 1873, for taking four horses & a sleigh against the orders of Capt Yates.

At the Battle of the Little Bighorn Company F was attached to LTC George Armstrong Custer's battalion. Klein was killed sometime during the fighting.

Two days after the battle most of Company F was found on or near Last Stand Hill. Klein's remains were reportedly found at the base of Last Stand Hill, possibly where marker 55 was placed.

Intially all battlefield deaths were buried where they were found. In 1881 all known battlefield burials were moved to a mass grave at the top of Last Stand Hill.

On July 13, 1865, Klein supposedly married Appolonia Stark, They would have two sons & two daughters. There is no record that his wife applied for a widow's pension.

Gustav Klein