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Hugh J. McGrath

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Hugh Jocelyn McGrath
Born(1856-04-08)April 8, 1856
Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, US
DiedNovember 7, 1899(1899-11-07) (aged 43)
Manila, Philippines
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service / branchUnited States Army
Years of service1880–1899
RankMajor (USV)
Captain (USA)
Unit4th Cavalry Regiment
Battles / warsPhilippine–American War
AwardsMedal of Honor

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.

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]

Grave at Arlington National Cemetery

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

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Rank 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

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McGrath Hall at Fort Leavenworth is named in his honor. Originally built as an infantry barracks, it currently provides officer housing.[11]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Hugh Jocelyn McGrath, Major, United States Army
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ a b "Lively Fighting". Oshkosh Daily Northwestern. October 9, 1899. p. 1. Retrieved June 11, 2016 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  5. ^ a b "Major M'Grath Dies at Manilla". Oshkosh Daily Northwestern. November 8, 1899. p. 1. Retrieved June 11, 2016 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ a b "Medal of Honor". Eau Claire Leader. May 7, 1902. p. 4. Retrieved June 12, 2016 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  9. ^ Our Story, Vol V - Five area men gain Medal of Honor
  10. ^ ""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.
  11. ^ 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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