John F. Mackie
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| John Freeman Mackie | |
|---|---|
| October 1, 1835 – June 18, 1910 | |
 John F. Mackie |
|
| Place of birth | New York City, New York |
| Allegiance | United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1861 - 1865 |
| Rank | Orderly Sergeant |
| Unit | USS Galena USS Seminole |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War * Battle of Drewry's Bluff |
| Awards | Medal of Honor |
John Freeman Mackie (October 1, 1835 – June 18, 1910) was a United States Marine and a recipient of America's highest military decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in the American Civil War. He was the first Marine to receive the Medal of Honor.[1]
Mackie enlisted in the Marine Corps from New York on August 23, 1861. By 1862, he held the rank of Corporal and was serving on the ironclad warship USS Galena. On May 15, 1862, a five-ship Union Navy squadron, including the Galena, steamed up the James River to test the defenses of the Confederate capital, Richmond, Virginia. After reaching a bend in the river upstream of Dutch Gap, the squadron encountered submerged obstacles and heavy fire from Fort Darling, atop Drewry's Bluff. The fort's artillery batteries inflicted severe damage on the Galena and forced the Union squadron to turn back. During the battle (which would come to be known as the Battle of Drewry's Bluff), most of Galena's naval gun crew was killed or wounded. Mackie led a group of Marines who took over operation of the guns for the remainder of the battle.
Corporal Mackie's official Medal of Honor citation reads:
| “ | On board the U.S.S. Galena in the attack on Fort Darling at Drewry’s Bluff, James River, on 15 May 1862. As enemy shellfire raked the deck of his ship, Corporal Mackie fearlessly maintained his musket fire against the rifle pits along the shore and, when ordered to fill vacancies at guns caused by men wounded and killed in action, manned the weapon with skill and courage.[2] | ” |
Mackie later served at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard and aboard the USS Seminole. It was aboard the Seminole that he received his Medal of Honor on July 10, 1863. Mackie rose to the rank of Orderly Sergeant before receiving an honorable discharge from the Marine Corps on August 24, 1865, after four years of service.
Mackie eventually married and settled near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He died at the age of 74 and is buried in Arlington Cemetery, Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania. At Drewry's Bluff, now within Richmond National Battlefield Park, a marker is posted which features Mackie's Medal of Honor action.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Marine Corps Medal of Honor. United States Marine Corps History Division. Retrieved on 2006-10-31.
- ^ Medal of Honor - Cpl John F. Mackie. United States Marine Corps. Retrieved on 2006-10-31.
- John Freeman Mackie (1836 - 1910). Find a Grave (2001-07-25). Retrieved on 2006-10-31.
| Persondata | |
|---|---|
| NAME | Mackie, John Freeman |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Mackie, John F. |
| SHORT DESCRIPTION | First United States Marine to receive the Medal of Honor |
| DATE OF BIRTH | October 1, 1835 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | New York City, New York |
| DATE OF DEATH | June 18, 1910 |
| PLACE OF DEATH | |
