Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, Colonel Guy Vernor Henry received the Medal of Honor for his actions on June 1, 1864 at Cold Harbor, Virginia during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with 40th Massachusetts Infantry. Henry was 25 years old.
One other service member also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on December 5, 1893, 29 years after the action. He later rose to the rank of Major General.
Henry was born on March 9, 1839 in Fort Smith, Arkansas. His Medal of Honor is credited to Reading, Berks County, Pennsylvania. Henry died on October 27, 1899, at the age of 60. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. His medal is held by West Point Museum (1896 design), West Point, NY.
Henry is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 380 credited to Pennsylvania.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Led the assaults of his brigade upon the enemy's works, where he had two horses shot under him.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: Spanish–American War.
Life beyond the battlefield
- Offices held: Governor of Puerto Rico
- Occupations: politician, governor
- Education: United States Military Academy
Source: Wikidata.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Pennsylvania →
Timeline
- March 9, 1839Born in Fort Smith, Arkansas
- June 1, 1864Act of valor — Cold Harbor, VirginiaAge 25. 40th Massachusetts Infantry
- December 5, 1893Medal of Honor presented
- October 27, 1899DiedAge 60.
- Resting placeArlington National CemeteryArlington, Virginia
Biography
Guy Vernor Henry (March 9, 1839 – October 27, 1899) was an American military officer and Medal of Honor recipient who served as military governor of Puerto Rico.
From the Wikipedia article “Guy Vernor Henry”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
