James Ezekiel Porter (1846-1876) was one of General Custer's officers killed at the Battle of Little Bighorn, also known as Custer's Last Stand. James E. Porter was born in Strong, Maine, in 1846. He attended Bates College (called the Maine State Seminary until 1863) from 1862-1863 and then Norwich University from 1863-1864. Porter was then was appointed to West Point and graduated in 1869. He received a commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. 7th Cavalry Regiment upon graduation. In 1872, Porter became a 1st lieutenant and was assigned to Troop I. He participated in "The Plains" Indian warfare from 1869 to 1876. On June 25, 1876, James Porter was killed in the Battle of the Little Bighorn under Brevet General Custer.
