Pvt Troy enlisted the US Army on December 30, 1871 at Boston MA. He was described as 5'5", gray eyes, brown hair & dark complexion. His civilian occupation was shoemaker.

On February 1, 1872, Troy reported for duty at Shelbyville KY & was assigned to Company I, 7th US Cavalry. Company I was commanded by Capt Myles Keogh.

On June 3, 1872, Troy was sentenced at a general court marital to forfeiture of pay & confinement for 2 months. On March 2, 1876, he was sentenced to 3 months confinement, forfeiture of pay and a dishonorable discharge at the end of confinement. At the end of his confinement the discharge was rescinded.

At the Battle of the Little Bighorn, Company I was attached to LTC George Armstrong Custer's battalion. Sometime during the fighting Troy was killed.

Troy's body was not indentified. It is likely that his unidentified remains were first buried where they had been found.

In 1881 all known battlefield burials were moved to a mass grave on Last Stand Hill

James E Troy