| Existing comment:
Corporal John Mackie was stationed abroad the USS Galena when she engaged enemy forces at Fort Darling just south of Richmond, VA, on May 15, 1862. Galena came under heavy artillery fire from the fort and Confederate sharpshooters along the river bank. Mackie braved the hail of bullets and kept up steady musket fire against the sharpshooters until one of the ship's guns had most of its crew killed or wounded. Mackie stepped in and handled the gun for the rest of the four-hour battle, distinguishing himself and becoming the first Marine to receive the Medal of Honor. |