Years of service 1861 – 1899 Name Guy Henry | Children Guy Henry | |
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Allegiance United States of AmericaUnion Service/branch United States ArmyUnion Army Battles/wars American Civil WarFirst Battle of Bull RunSiege of Charleston HarborBattle of OlusteeBattle of Cold HarborSiege of PetersburgIndian WarsBattle of RosebudDrexel Mission FightSpanish–American War Died October 27, 1899, Washington, D.C., United States Books Military Record of Civilian Appointments in the United States Army | ||
Guy Vernor Henry (March 9, 1839 – October 27, 1899) was a military officer and Medal of Honor recipient who served as an early Governor of Puerto Rico.
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Biography
Henry was born in Fort Smith, Indian Territory (now Arkansas), the son of William Seton Henry and Arietta Livingston Thompson Henry (granddaughter of Vice President Daniel D. Tompkins). William Seton Henry (1816–1851) was an 1835 graduate of the United States Military Academy, and attained the rank of Brevet Major for his service in the Mexican–American War. Guy V. Henry graduated from the United States Military Academy in May 1861, serving as a Union officer in the Civil War, and later in conflicts against the Native Americans in the West and southwest of the United States of America. From May 25, 1891 to October 3, 1894, while commanding the 7th Cavalry Regiment, he was also commander of Fort Myer, Virginia. 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 brevetted 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 received the Medal of Honor on December 5, 1893, for his Civil War service at the Battle of Cold Harbor on June 1, 1864, where he was serving as a Colonel and commanded a brigade.
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 December 6, 1898, he was designated Governor of Puerto Rico. On February 6, 1899, he dissolved the Cabinet of Puerto Rico, which was instituted with the Autonomic Charter. Henry also eliminated taxes on basic food items. On May 9, 1899, he was replaced by General George W. Davis.
Henry died of pneumonia in New York City and was 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., June 1, 1864. Entered service at: Reading Pa. Birth: Fort Smith, Indian Ter. Date of issue: December 5, 1893.
Citation:
Led the assaults of his brigade upon the enemy's works, where he had 2 horses shot under him.