William F. Lukes
William F. Lukes
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File:William F Lukes.jpg
Landsman William F. Lukes
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Born | Niderbergdorf, Bohemia (now in the Czech Republic) |
February 19, 1847
Died | Script error: The function "death_date_and_age" does not exist. Los Angeles, California, United States |
Buried | |
Allegiance | United States |
Service/ |
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Rank | Seaman |
Unit | USS Colorado |
Battles/wars | Korean Expedition |
Awards | Medal of Honor |
William F. Lukes (February 19, 1847, Niderbergdorf, Bohemia (now part of the Czech Republic) – December 13, 1923, Los Angeles)[1] was a United States Navy sailor and a recipient of America's highest military decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in the 1871 Korean Expedition.
Biography
William F. Lukes enlisted in the U.S. Navy from Tianjin, China and served as a Landsman onboard 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.[2] 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.[3]
Before leaving the Navy, William Lukes obtained the rank of Seaman. Lukes suffered convulsions due to brain injury for the rest of his life.[2] He died at the age of 76 and is buried in Los Angeles National Cemetery, Los Angeles, California.
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Landsman, U.S. Navy. Born: 1846, Bohemia. Enlisted at: Tientsin, China. G.O. No.: 180, October 10, 1872.[3]
Citation:
Served with Company D during the capture of the Korean forts, 9 and 10 June 1871. Fighting the enemy inside the fort, Lukes received a severe cut over the head.[4]
See also
Notes
References
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Naval History & Heritage Command.
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- 19th-century American people
- 19th-century Czech people
- United States Navy sailors
- United States Navy Medal of Honor recipients
- Foreign-born Medal of Honor recipients
- American people of Czech descent
- Austro-Hungarian emigrants to the United States
- People from Louny District
- 1847 births
- 1923 deaths
- Burials at Los Angeles National Cemetery
- Korean Expedition (1871) recipients of the Medal of Honor