Hugh Purvis
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Hugh Purvis | |
|---|---|
| 1843 – 1922 (aged 78–79) | |
 Hugh Purvis, Medal of Honor recipient |
|
| Place of birth | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Place of death | Unknown |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service/branch |  United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1869-1873, 1874-1879, 1879-1884 |
| Rank | Corporal |
| Unit | U.S.S Alaska |
| Battles/wars | Korean Expedition of 1871 |
| Awards | Medal of Honor |
Hugh Purvis (1843 – 1922) was a United States Marine who received the Medal of Honor for actions on board the U.S.S Alaska during the U.S. expedition to Korea in 1871.
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[edit] Biography
Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Purvis enlisted in the Marine Corps on 27 October 1869. He reported immediately to the Marine detachment on board Alaska soon departing for the Far East. During the punitive United States expedition to Korea (1871), he took part in the assault on an enemy fort on the Han River. In desperate hand-to-hand fighting, the sailors and Marines stormed the walls of the citadel. Private Purvis ran immediately to the flagstaff which bore the Korean colors and loosed the halyards. He was joined by Cpl. Charles Brown, and the two tore down the flag. For his "inspiring and heroic" act Private Purvis received the Medal of Honor.
He was discharged in 1873 and served two later tours with the Marine Corps, 1874 to 1879 and 1879 to 1884, rising to Corporal.
He is buried in Saint Annes Cemetery, Annapolis, Maryland. His grave can be found in the Cedar Bluff Section, Lot 154.[1]
[edit] Namesake
- USS Hugh Purvis (DD-709), a U.S. Navy Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer, was named in his honor.[2]
- Purvis Road on Marine Corps Base Quantico is named in his honor.[3]
[edit] Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Marine Corps. Born: 5 March 1846, Philadelphia, Pa. Accredited to: Pennsylvania. G.O. No.: 169, 8 February 1872.
Citation:
- On board the U.S.S. Alaska during the attack on and capture of the Korean forts, 11 June 1871. Braving the enemy fire, Purvis was the first to scale the walls of the fort and capture the flag of the Korean forces.[4]
[edit] See also
[edit] Notes
- ^ Hugh Purvis at Find A Grave Retrieved on 2007-11-10
- ^ "Hugh Purvis", Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, NHC.
- ^ Smith, Cpl. Susan (January 18, 2007). Purvis Road Reflects Medal of Honor Recipient’s Fighting Spirit. Quantico Sentry. Marine Corps Base Quanico, United States Marine Corps. Retrieved on 2007-10-28.
- ^ "Purvis, Hugh", Medal of Honor Recipients — Korean Campaign 1871, CMH.
[edit] References
- This article includes text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.
- Hugh Purvis at Find A Grave Retrieved on 2007-11-10
- Hugh Purvis. Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Naval Historical Center (NHC), Department of the Navy. Retrieved on 2007-10-28.
- "Purvis, Hugh". Medal of Honor Recipients — Korean Campaign 1871. U.S. Army Center of Military History (CMH).
- Shinmiyangyo - Korea 1871 and The Attack on the Citadel. HomeofHeroes.com.
