Guy Vernon Henry

Infobox Military Person
name= Guy Vernon Henry
born= birth date|1839|5|9
died= death date and age|1899|10|27|1839|5|9
placeofbirth= Fort Smith, Indian Territory
placeofdeath= Washington, D.C.
placeofburial= Section 2 of Arlington National Cemetery


caption=
nickname=
allegiance= United States of America Union
branch= United States Army Union Army
serviceyears=
rank= Brigadier General
commands=
unit=
battles= American Civil War Spanish-American War Battle of Rosebud Battle of Cold Harbor
awards= Medal of Honor
laterwork= Governor of Puerto Rico"For Major General Guy V. Henry, Jr., the son of Guy V. Henry, see Guy Henry (equestrian)"

Guy Vernon Henry (9 March 1839 – 27 October 1899) was a military officer and Medal of Honor recipient who served as an early Governor of Puerto Rico.

Biography

Henry was born in Fort Smith, Indian Territory (now Arkansas). He graduated from the United States Military Academy on 9 March 1861, serving as a Union soldier in the Civil War, and later in conflicts against the Native Americans in the West and southwest of the United States of America. During the Spanish-American War, he was dispatched to Guantánamo, Cuba, and later sent to Puerto Rico, alongside General Nelson Miles.

He received successive brevets for gallantry in various battles and was breveted brigadier general, United States Army, for gallantry at the Battle of Rosebud in Montana Territory, where he was shot through the face while fighting Native Americans. He was awarded the Medal of Honor on 5 December 1893, for his Civil War service at the Battle of Cold Harbor on 1 June 1864, where he was serving as Colonel, 40th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry.

During the invasion of Puerto Rico, Henry led a "Provisional Division" from the city of Ponce to Arecibo, Puerto Rico to rendezvous with General Theodore Schwan, who was arriving from the city of Mayagüez. The tropical rain impeded his trek and before he reached Mayagüez, the conflict was over.

On 6 December 1898, he was designated Governor of Puerto Rico. On 6 February 1899, he dissolved the Cabinet of Puerto Rico, which was instituted with the Autonomic Charter. Henry also eliminated taxes on basic food items. On 17 May 1899, he was replaced by General George W. Davis.

Henry died at his home in Washington, D.C., and is buried in Section 2 of Arlington National Cemetery.

Henry's son, Guy V. Henry, Jr., also served in the military with a distinguished career, and went on to win a bronze medal in the Olympics.

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Colonel, 40th Massachusetts Infantry. Place and date: At Cold Harbor, Va., 1 June 1864. Entered service at: Reading Pa. Birth: Fort Smith, Indian Ter. Date of issue: 5 December 1893.

Citation:

:Led the assaults of his brigade upon the enemy's works, where he had 2 horses shot under him.

ee also

*List of Medal of Honor recipients
*
*List of Governors of Puerto Rico
*History of Puerto Rico

External links

* [http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/ghenry.htm Arlington Cemetery: Guy Henry]
*findagrave|7837313 Retrieved on 2007-12-04

Persondata
NAME= Henry, Guy Vernon
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION= United States Army Medal of Honor recipient
DATE OF BIRTH= 9 March 1839
PLACE OF BIRTH= Fort Smith, Indian Territory
DATE OF DEATH= 27 October 1899
PLACE OF DEATH= Washington, D.C.