Hugh McKee
Encyclopedia
Hugh Wilson McKee was an American naval officer
in the 1870s who participated in the United States expedition to Korea in 1871.
to a military family. His father, William R. McKee, was a US Army colonel who had been killed in action commanding the Second Kentucky Regiment in the Battle of Buena Vista
during the Mexican–American War
.
Hugh McKee was appointed to the Naval Academy
25 September 1861 and graduated in 1866. His early duty stations included service in the Practice Squadron and aboard the USS Rhode Island
, flagship of the North Atlantic Squadron. In 1867-1869 he was assigned to the steam frigate Franklin and steam sloop of war Ticonderoga
, both operating in European waters. McKee was promoted to Ensign in March 1868.
by March 1870, and was serving in the Asiatic Squadron
as an officer of the USS Colorado
. He was mortally wounded 11 June 1871, while leading a company of bluejacket
s over the walls of a Korea
n fort on Ganghwa Island
close by the Inchon beaches during the United States expedition to Korea. Fifteen sailors and Marines received the Medal of Honor
for their actions during the battle including William F. Lukes
, Alexander McKenzie
, Samuel F. Rogers
, and William Troy
, who attempted to save McKee, as well as Frederick Franklin
, who assumed command of McKee's company until relieved.
McKee died on board the USS Monocacy
at 5:45 p.m. that afternoon and his body was sent to his ship, the Colorado, the next day. His remains were later sent to Shanghai and from there to the United States. He was interred at Lexington Cemetery. He never married and had no descendants. Three ships of the U.S. Navy have been named USS McKee
in his honor.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
in the 1870s who participated in the United States expedition to Korea in 1871.
Early life and military service
McKee was born in Lexington, KentuckyLexington, Kentucky
Lexington is the second-largest city in Kentucky and the 63rd largest in the US. Known as the "Thoroughbred City" and the "Horse Capital of the World", it is located in the heart of Kentucky's Bluegrass region...
to a military family. His father, William R. McKee, was a US Army colonel who had been killed in action commanding the Second Kentucky Regiment in the Battle of Buena Vista
Battle of Buena Vista
The Battle of Buena Vista , also known as the Battle of Angostura, saw the United States Army use artillery to repulse the much larger Mexican army in the Mexican-American War...
during the Mexican–American War
Mexican–American War
The Mexican–American War, also known as the First American Intervention, the Mexican War, or the U.S.–Mexican War, was an armed conflict between the United States and Mexico from 1846 to 1848 in the wake of the 1845 U.S...
.
Hugh McKee was appointed to the Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
25 September 1861 and graduated in 1866. His early duty stations included service in the Practice Squadron and aboard the USS Rhode Island
USS Rhode Island (1861)
|-References:*Bauer, Karl Jack and Roberts, Stephen S. : Register of Ships of the U.S. Navy, 1775-1990: Major Combatants, Greenwood Publishing Group, ISBN 9780313262029.-External links:*...
, flagship of the North Atlantic Squadron. In 1867-1869 he was assigned to the steam frigate Franklin and steam sloop of war Ticonderoga
USS Ticonderoga (1863)
The second USS Ticonderoga was a 2526-ton Lackawanna-class screw sloop-of-war laid down by the New York Navy Yard in 1861; launched on 16 October 1862; sponsored by Miss Katherine Heaton Offley; and commissioned at New York on 12 May 1863, Commodore J. L...
, both operating in European waters. McKee was promoted to Ensign in March 1868.
United States expedition to Korea
McKee had attained the rank of lieutenantLieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
by March 1870, and was serving in the Asiatic Squadron
Asiatic Squadron
The Asiatic Squadron was a squadron of United States Navy warships stationed in East Asia during the latter half of the 19th century, it was created in 1868 when the East India Squadron was disbanded...
as an officer of the USS Colorado
USS Colorado (1856)
The first USS Colorado — a -class, three-masted steam screw frigate — was launched on 19 June 1856 by the Norfolk Navy Yard. It was sponsored by Ms. N. S. Dornin, and commissioned on 13 March 1858, Captain W. H...
. He was mortally wounded 11 June 1871, while leading a company of bluejacket
Sailor
A sailor, mariner, or seaman is a person who navigates water-borne vessels or assists in their operation, maintenance, or service. The term can apply to professional mariners, military personnel, and recreational sailors as well as a plethora of other uses...
s over the walls of a Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
n fort on Ganghwa Island
Ganghwa Island
Ganghwa Island is an island in the estuary of the Han River, on the west coast of South Korea. Ganghwa Island is separated from Gimpo, on the mainland, by a narrow channel, which is spanned by two bridges. The main channel of the Han River separates the island from Gaeseong in North Korea.About...
close by the Inchon beaches during the United States expedition to Korea. Fifteen sailors and Marines received the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
for their actions during the battle including William F. Lukes
William F. Lukes
William F. Lukes was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of America's highest military decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in the 1871 Korean Expedition.-Biography:William F. Lukes enlisted in the U.S...
, Alexander McKenzie
Alexander McKenzie
Alexander McKenzie was a United States Navy Boatswain's Mate who received the Medal of Honor during the Korean Expedition. He was wounded in the rescue of Lieutenant Hugh McKee and was struck by a sword.-Medal of Honor citation:...
, Samuel F. Rogers
Samuel F. Rogers
Samuel F. Rogers was a United States Navy Quartermaster received the Medal of Honor for actions during the Korean Expedition. He was awarded the medal for his rescue of the mortally wounded Lieutenant Hugh McKee....
, and William Troy
William Troy
William Troy entered Service in the US Navy from Massachusetts as a United States Navy sailor. For bravery in action during the 1871 Korean Expedition he received the Medal of Honor on June 11, 1871...
, who attempted to save McKee, as well as Frederick Franklin
Frederick Franklin
Frederick Franklin was a United States Navy sailor who received the Medal of Honor for actions during the 1871 Korean Campaign.-Biography:Frederick H. Franklin was born in 1840 in Portsmouth, New Hampshire....
, who assumed command of McKee's company until relieved.
McKee died on board the USS Monocacy
USS Monocacy (1864)
-External links:*...
at 5:45 p.m. that afternoon and his body was sent to his ship, the Colorado, the next day. His remains were later sent to Shanghai and from there to the United States. He was interred at Lexington Cemetery. He never married and had no descendants. Three ships of the U.S. Navy have been named USS McKee
USS McKee
Three ships of the United States Navy have been named USS McKee, in honor of Hugh W. McKee., was a Dahlgren-class torpedo boat from 1898 to 1912, was a Wickes-class destroyer during World War I...
in his honor.