USMC: MOH John Freeman Mackie Traditional Cache

Established early in the Civil War to "promote efficiency in the Navy", the Medal of Honor rose to prominence in American history and heritage.  Only slightly more than 3,500 Americans have been awarded Medals of Honor, and today only 78 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.

This series is to honor the Heroes of the United States Marine Corps who have been awarded the Nation’s highest military honor since its inception.  This series is placed along a bike trail.  DO NOT access these caches from the road.   These caches are placed between the trail and the roadway.

CPL Mackie was the first United States Marine to receive the Congressional 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.