Sergeant Major Joseph Keele, a soldier in the U.S. Army, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on May 23, 1864 at North Anna River, Virginia during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with 182d New York Infantry. Keele was 23 years old.
One other service member also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on October 25, 1867, 3 years after the action. He later rose to the rank of Captain.
Keele was born on August 1, 1840 in Ireland — one of 258 recipients born in Ireland. His Medal of Honor is credited to Staten Island, Richmond County, New York. Keele died on October 16, 1906 in Jersey City, New Jersey, at the age of 66. He is buried at Bayview Cemetery in Jersey City, New Jersey.
Keele 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 and at the risk of his life carried orders to the brigade commander, which resulted in saving the works his regiment was defending.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: American Civil War.
Timeline
- August 1, 1840Born in Ireland
- May 23, 1864Act of valor — North Anna River, VirginiaAge 23. 182d New York Infantry
- October 25, 1867Medal of Honor presented
- October 16, 1906Died in Jersey City, New JerseyAge 66.
- Resting placeBayview CemeteryJersey City, New Jersey
Biography
Joseph Keele (August 1, 1840 - October 16, 1906) was an Irish born soldier and recipient of the Medal of Honor for actions during the American Civil War.
From the Wikipedia article “Joseph Keele”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
