Private John Keenan, a soldier in the U.S. Army, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on August 13, 1868 vicinity of the Black Mountains, Arizona during the Indian Campaigns. At the time he was serving with Company B, 8th U.S. Cavalry. Keenan was about 25 years old.
30 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on July 24, 1869.
Keenan was born in 1843 in Tubbercurry, County Sligo, Ireland — one of 258 recipients born in Ireland. His Medal of Honor is credited to San Francisco, San Francisco County, California. Keenan died on March 18, 1906 in McIntyre, Iowa, at the age of about 63. He is buried at McIntyre City Cemetery in McIntire, Iowa.
Keenan is one of 426 Medal of Honor recipients from the Indian Campaigns and one of 142 credited to California.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Bravery in scouts and actions against Indians.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Timeline
- 1843Born in Tubbercurry, County Sligo, Ireland
- August 13, 1868Act of valor — Vicinity of the Black Mountains, ArizonaAge about 25. Company B, 8th U.S. Cavalry
- July 24, 1869Medal of Honor presented
- March 18, 1906Died in McIntyre, IowaAge about 63.
- Resting placeMcIntyre City CemeteryMcIntire, Iowa