Korean Expedition
The United States expedition to Korea in 1871, also known as Sinmiyangyo (Western Disturbance of the Year Sinmi year), was the first American military action in Korea. It took place predominantly on and around the Korean island of Ganghwa. The reason for the presence of the American military expeditionary force in Korea was to support an American diplomatic delegation sent to establish trade and diplomatic relations with Korea and to ascertain the fate of the General Sherman merchant ship. The isolationist nature of the Joseon Dynasty government and the assertiveness of the Americans led to an armed conflict between the two parties. Eventually, the United States failed to secure its objectives.
| Image | Name | Service | Rank | Place of action | Date of action | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | Andrews, JohnJohn Andrews | Navy | E-2 !Ordinary Seaman | USS Benicia !aboard the USS Benicia | 01871-06-09Jun 9, 1871 – 01871-06-10Jun 10, 1871 | USS Benicia | Stood on the gunwale on the Benicia's launch, lashed to the ridgerope and remained unflinchingly in this dangerous position and gave his soundings with coolness and accuracy under a heavy fire. |
| (Brown at right) | Brown, CharlesCharles Brown | Marine Corps | E-4 !Corporal | USS Colorado !aboard the USS Colorado | 01871-06-11June 11, 1871 | USS Colorado | Assisted in capturing the Korean flag from the citadel of the fort |
| — | Coleman, JohnJohn Coleman | Marine Corps | E-1 !Private | USS Colorado !aboard the USS Colorado | 01871-06-11June 11, 1871 | USS Colorado | For hand-to-hand combat and saving the life of Alexander McKenzie |
| — | Dougherty, JamesJames Dougherty | Marine Corps | E-1 !Private | USS Carondelet !aboard the USS Carondelet | 01871-06-11June 11, 1871 | USS Carondelet | Returned to duty after being wounded several times |
| — | Franklin, FrederickFrederick Franklin | Navy | E-4 !Quartermaster | USS Colorado !aboard the USS Colorado | 01871-06-11June 11, 1871 | USS Colorado | For assuming command of Company D, after Lt. McKee was wounded, and handling the company until relieved |
| — | Grace, Patrick H.Patrick H. Grace | Navy | E-7 !Chief Quartermaster | USS Benicia !aboard the USS Benicia | 01871-06-10Jun 10, 1871 – 01871-06-11Jun 11, 1871 | USS Benicia | Carrying out his duties with coolness, Grace set forth gallant and meritorious conduct throughout this action |
| (Hayden at left) | Hayden, CyrusCyrus Hayden | Navy | N-1 !Carpenter | USS Colorado !aboard the USS Colorado | 01871-06-11June 11, 1871 | USS Colorado | Serving as color bearer of the battalion, Hayden planted his flag and protected it under heavy fire |
| Lukes, William F.William F. Lukes | Navy | E-1 !Landsman | Ganghwa Island | 01871-06-09Jun 9, 1871 – 01871-06-10Jun 10, 1871 | USS Colorado | Fighting the enemy inside the fort, Lukes received a severe cut over the head | |
| — | McKenzie, AlexanderAlexander McKenzie | Navy | E-6 !Boatswain's Mate | USS Colorado !aboard the USS Colorado | 01871-06-11June 11, 1871 | USS Colorado | 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. |
| — | McNamara, MichaelMichael McNamara | Marine Corps | E-1 !Private | USS Benicia !aboard the USS Benicia | 01871-06-11June 11, 1871 | USS Benicia | For taking a match-lock from the hands of the enemy while advancing to the parapet |
| — | Merton, James F.James F. Merton | Navy | E-1 !Landsman | Ganghwa Island | 01871-06-09Jun 9, 1871 – 01871-06-10Jun 10, 1871 | USS Colorado | Merton was severely wounded in the arm while trying to force his way into the fort |
| — | Owens, MichaelMichael Owens | Marine Corps | E-1 !Private | USS Colorado !aboard the USS Colorado | 01871-06-11June 11, 1871 | USS Colorado | Fighting courageously in hand-to-hand combat, Owens was badly wounded by the enemy during this action |
| (Purvis in center) | Purvis, HughHugh Purvis | Marine Corps | E-1 !Private | USS Alaska !aboard the USS Alaska | 01871-06-11June 11, 1871 | USS Alaska | Braving the enemy fire, Purvis was the first to scale the walls of the fort and capture their flag |
| — | Rogers, Samuel F.Samuel F. Rogers | Navy | E-4 !Quartermaster | USS Colorado !aboard the USS Colorado | 01871-06-11June 11, 1871 | USS Colorado | Fighting courageously at the side of Lt. McKee during this action, Rogers was wounded by the enemy |
| — | Troy, WilliamWilliam Troy | Navy | E-2 !Ordinary Seaman | USS Colorado !aboard the USS Colorado | 01871-06-11June 11, 1871 | USS Colorado | Fighting at the side of Lt. McKee, by whom he was especially commended, Troy was badly wounded by the enemy |
Read more about this topic: List Of Medal Of Honor Recipients
Famous quotes containing the word expedition:
“It is a sort of ranger service. Arnold’s expedition is a daily experience with these settlers. They can prove that they were out at almost any time; and I think that all the first generation of them deserve a pension more than any that went to the Mexican war.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)