Established early in the Civil War to "promote efficiency in the Navy", the Medal of Honor rose to prominence in American history and heritage. Fewer than 3,500 Americans have been awarded Medals of Honor, and today only 81 of them survive. These heroes are a vanishing breed whose valiant history MUST be preserved for future generations. That heritage is nurtured and sustained on the ground floor of the Hall of Heroes.
Corporal John Freeman Mackie was the first US Marine to receive the Medal of Honor.
The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pleasure in presenting the
Medal of Honor to
MACKIE, JOHN F.
Rank and Organization: Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps. Born: 1836, New York, N.Y. Accredited To: New York. G.O. No.: 17, 10 July 1863.
Citation:
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.