Veteran in crisis? Dial 988 then press 1 · Text 838255 Next observance: Navy Birthday · October 13

Boatswain's Mate · U.S. Navy

Alexander McKenzie

Boatswain's Mate Alexander McKenzie, Navy, received the Medal of Honor for actions on June 11, 1871 in Korean Forts, Korea during the 1871 Korean expedition.

Boatswain's Mate Alexander McKenzie, a sailor in the U.S. Navy, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on June 11, 1871 in Korean Forts, Korea during the 1871 Korean expedition. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Colorado. McKenzie was about 34 years old.

11 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day.

McKenzie was born in 1837 in Glasgow, Scotland — one of 41 recipients born in Scotland. His Medal of Honor is credited to New York.

McKenzie is one of 15 Medal of Honor recipients from the 1871 Korean expedition and one of 678 credited to New York.

Official Medal of Honor 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 during this action, McKenzie was struck by a sword and received a severe cut in the head from the blow.

Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.

Wounds and injuries

What the citation records about his wounds:

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.

Places

  • Born: Glasgow — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in New York →

Timeline

  1. 1837
    Born in Glasgow, Scotland
  2. June 11, 1871
    Act of valor — Korean Forts, Korea
    Age about 34. U.S.S. Colorado

Biography

Alexander McKenzie (1837–?) 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.

From the Wikipedia article “Alexander McKenzie (Medal of Honor)”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

Also honored for actions on June 11, 1871

Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Wikidata and Wikipedia. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.