Hugh McKee

Infobox Military Person
name=Hugh Wilson McKee
lived=birth date|1844|4|23 – death date and age|1871|6|11|1844|4|23


caption=Officers of the "USS Colorado" during the United States expedition to Korea in June 1871. From left to right, McKee is the first person seated on the left.
nickname=
placeofbirth=Lexington, Kentucky
placeofdeath=At sea off the coast of Korea
allegiance=United States
branch=United States Navy
serviceyears=1866-1871
rank=Lieutenant
unit=USS "Rhode Island"
USS "Franklin"
USS "Ticonderoga"
USS "Colorado"
commands=
battles=United States expedition to Korea
awards=

Hugh Wilson McKee (23 April, 1844 - 11 June, 1871) was an American naval officer in the in the 1870s who participated in the United States expedition to Korea in 1871.

Early life and military service

McKee was born in Lexington, Kentucky to a military family. His father, William R. McKee, was a US Army colonel who had been killed in action commanding the Second Kentucky Regiment in the Battle of Buena Vista during the Mexican–American War ["Letter from the Corea", New York Times, August 25, 1871] .

Hugh McKee was appointed to the Naval Academy 25 September 1861 and graduated in 1866. His early duty stations included service in the Practice Squadron and aboard the USS "Rhode Island", flagship of the North Atlantic Squadron. In 1867-1869 he was assigned to the steam frigate "Franklin" and steam sloop of war "Ticonderoga", both operating in European waters. McKee was promoted to Ensign in March 1868. [http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/pers-us/uspers-m/h-mckee.htm]

United States expedition to Korea

McKee had attained the rank of lieutenant by March 1870, and was serving in the Asiatic Squadron as an officer of the USS "Colorado". He was mortally wounded 11 June 1871, while leading a company of bluejackets over the walls of a Korean fort on Ganghwa Island close by the Inchon beaches during the United States expedition to Korea. Fifteen sailors and Marines received the Medal of Honor for their actions during the battle including William F. Lukes, Alexander McKenzie, Samuel F. Rogers, and William Troy, who attempted to save McKee, as well as Frederick Franklin, who assumed command of McKee's company until relieved.

McKee died on board the "Colorado" and was interred at Lexington Cemetery. He never married and had no descendants. Three ships of the U.S. Navy have been named USS "McKee" in his honor.

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