Sergeant Charles W. McKay was a soldier in the U.S. Army who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on May 8, 1864 at Dug Gap, Georgia during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Company C, 154th New York Infantry. McKay was 17 years old.
6 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on April 13, 1894, 29 years after the action. He later rose to the rank of Captain.
McKay was born on January 25, 1847 in Mansfield, Cattaraugus County, New York. His Medal of Honor is credited to Allegany, Cattaraugus County, New York. McKay died on August 25, 1912 in Staples, Minnesota, at the age of 65. He is buried at Oak Grove Cemetery in Fergus Falls, Minnesota.
McKay is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 678 credited to New York.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Voluntarily risked his life in rescuing under the fire of the enemy a wounded comrade who was lying between the lines.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Timeline
- January 25, 1847Born in Mansfield, Cattaraugus County, New York
- May 8, 1864Act of valor — Dug Gap, GeorgiaAge 17. Company C, 154th New York Infantry
- April 13, 1894Medal of Honor presented
- August 25, 1912Died in Staples, MinnesotaAge 65.
- Resting placeOak Grove CemeteryFergus Falls, Minnesota
