One of the lesser known conflicts in which three medals of honor were awarded is the 1871 Korean Expedition. 

The @USNavy shipped a diplomatic delegation to Korea, to establish trade and political relations. The American delegation initially landed and stated that they meant no harm and were just going to explore the area. However, by sailing up the Han River, which led to the capital, the Americans had broken the law and were fired on. No major damage resulted. 
The Americans then demanded an apology within 10 days. 

June 10, after the deadline passed, 546 Sailors and 105 Marines lead by Navy Lt. Hugh McKee assaulted a series of garrisons and forts, until they reach Gwangseong Garrison, a citadel. It was held by a unit called the “Tiger Hunters.” Leading the charge, McKee was shot in the groin, mortally wounded. In his citation, Ordinary Seaman William Troy, from the USS Colorado fought at the side of McKee, and was wounded severely as well. Attempting to save McKee, Landsman William Lukes, Seth Allen and Thomas Murphy fought hand to hand against the Koreans, but Allen and Murphy were killed. Lukes was knocked unconscious and spent 39 days in a coma. 

Equipped with matchlock muskets, the Koreans were severely outgunned, but the major blow of battle was when their Commander, General Eo Jae-yon was shot and killed by Pvt. James Dougherty. His flag, his “Sujagi” was captured by Cpl. Charles Brown. 

After 15 minutes, 243 Koreans were dead, 20 captured. Three Americans died. The Koreans still refused to the negotiate. The US fleet departed July 3 for China. In the aftermath the Korea became even more isolationist until 1876 when a Japanese fleet threatened to fire on Seoul. 

Nine Sailors and six Marines were awarded the medal of honor for their actions that day, including, Lukes, Brown, Troy, and Dougherty. There is no record of Brown ever receiving his award. He deserted before it was awarded.

Ordinary Seaman William Troy died in 1907 at the age of 58 or 59 and is interred at San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery. 

Landsman William Lukes was found with 18 bayonet wounds, laying on top of Lt. McKee. He would suffer from seizures for the rest of his life. He died in 1923 at the age of 76 and is interred at Los Angeles National Cemetery. He was 76.

Pvt. James J. Dougherty died in 1897 at the age of 58 and is interred at Cypress Hills National Cemetery.


Landsman William F. Lukes (1871 Korean Campaign) is a Notable burial at https://www.cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/losangeles.asp. Lukes received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U. S. Navy, Company D, for actions during the capture of the Korean forts, June 9-10, 1871.  William F. Lukes enlisted in the U.S. Navy from Tianjin, China and served as a Landsman on board USS Colorado in Company D as part of the Korean Expedition. On June 11, 1871, during the capture of the Han River forts on Ganghwa Island, the leader of the American attack, Lieutenant Hugh McKee, was mortally wounded. Landsman Lukes and two other sailors, Seth Allen and Thomas Murphy, attempted to rescue Lt. McKee but encountered heavy resistance. In the course of the ensuing hand-to-hand fight, Allen and Murphy were killed. Lukes suffered a severe cut to the head but continued to fight; he survived the engagement. When reinforcements arrived, they found Lukes unconscious, with 18 bayonet wounds, lying over the body of Lieutenant McKee. Lukes remained unconscious aboard the Colorado for 39 days. 
 For his actions on that occasion, Lukes was specially mentioned by his commanding officer for conspicuous "coolness and bravery during the desperate fight" and awarded the Medal of Honor.

Before leaving the Navy, William Lukes obtained the rank of Seaman. Lukes suffered convulsions due to brain injury for the rest of his life. He died at the age of 76 in 1923.
https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/3255.
*The preceding content is not intended as a comprehensive biography, but it highlights their significance as a result of military or civilian distinction, lasting achievements, or association with impactful national events. 

He is wearing a bowtie, vest and jacket. He has receding hair and a handlebar mustache.

Sailors and Koreans fight with swords and rifle - Koreans are in traditional garb.

2 Marines with rifles and an Sailor with sword stand in front of a flag the size of a small sail.

WILLIAM F LUKES

Service

CIVIL WAR

MEDAL OF HONOR

US NAVY,

LDS

Resting Place

Mementos

Tributes

Word Cloud

Biography

Milestones

Mementos

Historical Documents

Veteran programs and services

More VA resources

Get VA updates

In crisis? Get help now

Contact us