Overview

William Troy (1848–March 8, 1907) was a United States Navy sailor who received the Medal of Honor for conspicuous bravery during the 1871 Korean Expedition. He entered naval service from Massachusetts and became one of several sailors and marines recognized for courage in the assault on Korean shore defenses. Accounts emphasize his role in rescuing a wounded comrade while exposing himself to enemy fire and suffering wounds in the action.

The 1871 Korean Expedition and Troy's actions

The Korean Expedition of 1871, sometimes called the Shinmiyangyo, was a punitive and exploratory campaign by elements of the U.S. Asiatic Squadron. During the landings and subsequent attack on fortified positions along the Han River estuary, American sailors and marines engaged Korean forces and stormed several works known as citadels.

William Troy was part of a shore party that came under heavy fire while attempting to secure one of these positions. In the course of the fighting he joined in efforts to recover and protect fellow servicemen. Notably, he participated in the rescue of Hugh McKee, who had been mortally wounded during the assault on the citadel. Troy himself was wounded in the engagement and was singled out for commendation by a lieutenant present at the action. For these deeds he was awarded the Medal of Honor on June 11, 1871.

Medal of Honor and contemporaneous recognition

The Medal of Honor in the 19th century was awarded for acts of personal bravery in combat and was the principal military decoration for valor. Troy's award placed him among a group of sailors and marines whose citations from the Korean Expedition described rescue efforts, coolness under fire, and assault on enemy fortifications. His citation and related service details are summarized in naval records and medal rolls of the period.

Later life, death and burial

Troy died on March 8, 1907. There is some discrepancy in modern references about his final resting place. Historical accounts list him as buried in the Stockton State Hospital Cemetery in Stockton, California, while the San Joaquin National Cemetery also hosts a monument honoring him and records indicating a grave location (Section M-1, Grave 53). This kind of inconsistency can occur when remains are relocated or when memorials are erected apart from original burials. Researchers consult institutional records and cemetery registries to reconcile such differences.

Legacy and remembrance

William Troy is remembered primarily for his conduct during the Korean Expedition and as one of the early recipients of the Medal of Honor for actions in East Asia. Monuments and cemetery markers in California acknowledge his service, and his story is part of the broader narrative of 19th‑century U.S. naval operations and early American engagements with Korea.

Key facts

  • Born: 1848 (exact date not widely recorded)
  • Died: March 8, 1907
  • Service: United States Navy, entered service from Massachusetts (service record)
  • Award: Medal of Honor, June 11, 1871 (citation summary)
  • Notable action: Rescue of mortally wounded Hugh McKee at the citadel in Korea; wounded in action and commended by a lieutenant (after‑action report)
  • Burial/commemoration: Listed in connection with the Stockton State Hospital Cemetery and commemorated at San Joaquin National Cemetery (Stockton cemetery, San Joaquin memorial)

Further research into primary naval archives, contemporary ship logs, and cemetery records can provide greater detail about Troy's service record and the circumstances of his burial or memorialization. For summary records and modern commemorations, see institutional cemetery listings and compiled Medal of Honor registers.