Private Michael Owens was a Marine in the U.S. Marine Corps who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on June 11, 1871 in Korean Forts, Korea during the 1871 Korean expedition. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Colorado. Owens was 34 years old.
11 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day.
Owens was born on February 6, 1837 in New York, New York. Owens died on December 7, 1890 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at the age of 53. He is buried at Mount Moriah Cemetery in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His medal is held by National Museum of the US Marine Corps, Quantico, VA.
Owens 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 Korean forts, 11 June 1871. Fighting courageously in hand-to-hand combat, Owens was badly wounded by the enemy during this action.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Wounds and injuries
What the citation records about his wounds:
Fighting courageously in hand-to-hand combat, Owens was badly wounded by the enemy during this action.
- Age at death: 53
- Resting place: Mount Moriah Cemetery
Timeline
- February 6, 1837Born in New York, New York
- June 11, 1871Act of valor — Korean Forts, KoreaAge 34. U.S.S. Colorado
- December 7, 1890Died in Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaAge 53.
- Resting placeMount Moriah CemeteryPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania
