William Troy

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William Troy
1848 – March 8, 1907
William Troy, Medal of Honor recipient
Place of birth	Boston, Massachusetts
Place of death	Stockton, California
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Navy
Rank	Ordinary Seaman
Unit	U.S.S. Colorado
Awards	Medal of Honor

William Troy (1848–March 8, 1907) entered Service in the US Navy from Massachusetts as a United States Navy sailor. For bravery in action during the 1871 Korean Expedition he was awarded the Medal of Honor on 11 June 1871 . He was part of the party that rescued the mortally wounded Hugh McKee at Citadel Korea and was himself wounded and specifically commended by the Lieutenant.

Troy is buried in the Stockston State Hospital Cemetery in Stockton, California, and a monument in his honor stands at the San Joaquin National Cemetery in Gustine, California.

1 History of the Battle
2 Medal of Honor citation
3 See also
4 References

[edit] History of the Battle

Responding to uprisings in China in 1871 that destroyed the American merchant schooner "General Sherman" and resulted in the murder of its entire crew, six American warships including the USS Benicia were dispatched to Korea in retaliation. After coming under fire, on June 10th a group of 550 sailors and 100 Marines were landed to assault the enemy forts. After making camp on the night of the landing, the following morning the Americans assaulted the middle of the five forts and chased the enemy into a high bluff and the last of the fortified positions called the Citadel. In the assault Lieutenant McKee of Company D was leading his men in a pitched battle. As the enemy swarmed the gallant officer, William Troy, along with Alexander McKenzie and Samuel Rogers (of the USS Colorado) fought at his side to protect him. All three men fell wounded before the swarm of enemy in fierce hand-to-hand combat, and Lieutenant McKenzie was killed. (15 Medals of Honor - 9 Navy and 6 Marines, were awarded over the 3-day period of this action)

[edit] Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Ordinary Seaman, U.S. Navy. Born: 1848, Boston, Mass. Accredited to: Massachusetts. G.O. No.: 169, 8 February 1872.

Citation:

On board the U.S.S. Colorado during the capture of the Korean forts, 11 June 1871. Fighting at the side of Lt. McKee, by whom he was especially commended, Troy was badly wounded by the enemy.