John Keenan (Medal of Honor)

John Keenan (1840s–March 18, 1906) was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions in the Indian Wars of the western United States involving "bravery in scouts and actions against Indians.

For other people named John Keenan, see John Keenan (disambiguation).
John Keenan
Born1840s
Ireland
DiedMarch 18, 1906
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Army
RankPrivate
Unit 38th Ohio Infantry
8th Cavalry Regiment
Battles/warsAmerican Civil War
Indian Wars
AwardsMedal of Honor

Biography

Keenan was born in Ireland, probably in the 1840s, and immigrated to the United States. During the American Civil War, he served with the 38th Ohio Infantry. He then traveled to San Francisco, California, and re-enlisted in the Army in 1866.[1]

By August 1868, Keenan was serving as a private in Company B of the 8th Cavalry Regiment.[2] Over the next two months, his company was constantly engaged in fights against the Hualapai in northwestern Arizona Territory.[1] For his actions during these engagements, Keenan was awarded the Medal of Honor the next year, on July 24, 1869.[2]

Keenan continued to fight in the Indian Wars until 1871. Afterward, he was sent to Fort Stanton, New Mexico, to recover from a wound received in battle. While there, he worked as a groundskeeper and carried out various chores around the fort. During one of these chores, a burning ember hit him in the eyes, leaving him nearly blind.[1] He left the military and lived in Minnesota and Iowa. His exact burial place is uncertain, but is believed to be in or near McIntire, Iowa.[3]

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Private, Company B, 8th U.S. Cavalry. Place and date: Arizona, August to October 1868. Entered service at:------. Birth: Ireland. Date of issue: 24 July 1869.

Citation:

Bravery in scouts and actions against Indians.[2]

See also

References
 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Army Center of Military History.
  1. "Private John Keenan". Iowa Medal of Honor Heroes. State Historical Society of Iowa. 2006. Retrieved 2009-06-15.
  2. "Indian Wars Period Medal of Honor recipients". Medal of Honor citations. United States Army Center of Military History. January 27, 2009. Retrieved 2009-06-15.
  3. "SHSI seeks help to confirm Medal of Honor recipient's burial site" (Press release). State Historical Society of Iowa. June 3, 2009. Retrieved 2009-06-15.
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