Hugh Jocelyn McGrath (April 8, 1856 – November 7, 1899)[1] was a captain in the United States Army and a Medal of Honor recipient for his actions in the Philippine–American War.
Hugh Jocelyn McGrath | |
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| Born | April 8, 1856 Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, US |
| Died | November 7, 1899 (aged 43) Manila, Philippines |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1880–1899 |
| Rank | Major (USV) Captain (USA) |
| Unit | 4th Cavalry Regiment |
| Battles / wars | Philippine–American War |
| Awards | Medal of Honor |
McGrath was born in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin on April 8, 1856.[2][3] He lived in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.[4][5] McGrath graduated from Eau Claire High School in 1873 and then taught school for a while before enrolling in the scientific course at the University of Wisconsin. After completing the first two years of the program, he left to attend the United States Military Academy, graduating in June 1880.[2][3] McGrath was commissioned as a cavalry officer and assigned to frontier duty with the 4th Cavalry Regiment. He entered the Infantry and Cavalry School at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas in September 1885 and graduated in July 1887.[2][6]
After more frontier duty, McGrath served as professor of military science and tactics at the University of Wisconsin from September 1891 to September 1894. While there, he earned an LL.B. degree from the law school in 1893 and was admitted to the Wisconsin bar that same year. McGrath was promoted to captain in June 1897 and then received a temporary promotion to major of U.S. Volunteers in June 1898 during the Spanish–American War. He did not see action, but later served in Havana, Cuba from November 1898 to April 1899. He was returned to the rank of captain in May 1899 before being sent to rejoin the 4th Cavalry in the Philippines.[3][7]
McGrath was wounded in the left thigh at Noveleta[8] in October 1899,[4] and he died of his wound a month later.[5][9] His body was repatriated in December 1899 and he was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.[8]
Medal of Honor citation
editRank and organization: Captain, 4th U.S. Cavalry. Place and date: At Calamba, Luzon, Philippine Islands, July 26, 1899. Entered service at: Eau Claire, Wis. Birth: Fond du Lac, Wis. Date of issue: April 29, 1902.
Citation:
Swam the San Juan River in the face of the enemy's fire and drove him from his entrenchments.[10]
Legacy
editMcGrath Hall at Fort Leavenworth is named in his honor. Originally built as an infantry barracks, it currently provides officer housing.[11]
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ Hugh Jocelyn McGrath, Major, United States Army
- ^ a b c Powell, William H. (1890). "McGrath, Hugh J.". Powell's Records of Living Officers of the United States Army. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: L. R. Hamersly & Co. p. 385. Retrieved 2024-09-17.
- ^ a b c Thwaites, Reuben Gold (1900). "Hugh Joscelyn McGrath, LL.B.". The University of Wisconsin: Its History and its Alumni. Madison, Wisconsin: J. N. Purcell. p. 540. Retrieved 2024-09-17.
- ^ a b "Lively Fighting". Oshkosh Daily Northwestern. October 9, 1899. p. 1. Retrieved June 11, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Major M'Grath Dies at Manilla". Oshkosh Daily Northwestern. November 8, 1899. p. 1. Retrieved June 11, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Biographical register of the officers and graduates of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. from its establishment in 1802, to 1890: With the early history of the United States Military Academy. Vol. III. The Riverside Press. 1891. p. 334. Retrieved 2024-09-17.
- ^ Biographical register of the officers and graduates of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York since its establishment in 1802: Supplement, 1890–1900. Vol. IV. The Riverside Press. 1901. p. 330. Retrieved 2024-09-17.
- ^ a b "Medal of Honor". Eau Claire Leader. May 7, 1902. p. 4. Retrieved June 12, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Our Story, Vol V - Five area men gain Medal of Honor
- ^ ""MCGRATH, HUGH J." entry". Medal of Honor recipients: Philippine–American War. United States Army Center of Military History. June 8, 2009. Archived from the original on 2007-12-14. Retrieved 2008-03-31.
- ^ Schillare, Quentin W. (2015). "McGrath Hall" (PDF). Fort Leavenworth: The People Behind the Names. Fort Leavenworth, Kansas: Combat Studies Institute Press. p. 150. ISBN 978-1-940804-15-6. Retrieved 2024-09-17.
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