After landing on June 10, 1871 the
Marines and bluejackets quickly captured the first fort without
incident. The following day they captured the second large fort,
again without incident as it had been abandoned.
The force then moved on towards the
largest fort called THE CITADEL, to which the Koreans had withdrawn for
a gallant stand against the American landing party. After heavy
shelling from the USS Monocacy from the Salee River, the Marines
and bluejackets assaulted the position. First to scale the wall
was the commander of Company D, Naval Lieutenant Hugh McKee.
Killed almost instantly in
hand-to-hand combat as he was swarmed inside the fort, three Navy
bluejackets fought bravely at his side. All three were wounded,
but were subsequently awarded Medals of Honor for their valor. (As
an OFFICER, Lt. McKee was NOT eligible for the Medal of Honor under the
guidelines of his day.)
|
|
|
Alexander
McKenzie
Boatswain's
Mate, U.S. Navy
Born: 1837
at Glasgow, Scotland
Entered Service: New
York, NY
Date/Place of Action: June
11, 1871 - Citadel, Korea
Unit: U.S.S.
Colorado
Presentation: Presented
on February 08, 1872 - G.O. 169
Date of Death: Unknown
Buried at: Unknown
"Fighting at the side of Lt. McKee during this action,
McKenzie was struck by a sword and received a severe cut in the head
from the blow."
|
|
|
|
Samuel
F. Rogers
Quartermaster, U.S. Navy
Born: 1845
at Buffalo, NY
Entered Service: New
York, NY
Date/Place of Action: June
11, 1871 - Citadel, Korea
Unit: U.S.S.
Colorado
Presentation: Presented
on February 08, 1872 - G.O. 169
Date of Death: November
01, 1905
Buried at: Forest
Homes Cemetery - Forest Park, IL
"Fighting courageously at the side of Lt. McKee during this
action, Rogers was wounded by the enemy.
|
|
|
|
William
Troy
Ordinary
Seaman, U.S. Navy
Born: 1848
at Boston, MA
Entered Service: Massachusetts
Date/Place of Action: June
11, 1871 - Citadel, Korea
Unit: U.S.S.
Colorado
Presentation: Presented
on February 08, 1872 - G.O. 169
Date of Death: March
08, 1907
Buried at: Stockton
State Hospital Cemetery - Stockton, CA
"Fighting at the side of Lt. McKee, by whom he was especially
commended, Troy was badly wounded by the enemy.
|
|
