Hugh J. McGrath

Swimming a river under fire to reach enemy trenches

Hugh Jocelyn McGrath received the Medal of Honor for a river crossing during the Philippine campaign. Born in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, on April 8, 1856, he served as a captain in the U.S. Army’s 4th Cavalry.

On July 26, 1899, at Calamba on Luzon, McGrath swam the San Juan River under enemy fire. His official citation records that he then drove the opposing force from its entrenchments. The award recognized his courage in crossing an exposed obstacle and pressing the attack.

McGrath entered West Point on June 14, 1876, and graduated on June 12, 1880, receiving his commission in the 4th Cavalry. Promoted captain in 1897, he also held a temporary commission as major and engineer officer of Volunteers during the Spanish-American War. That volunteer commission ended on May 12, 1899, leaving him a regular Army captain. Wounded at Noveleta on October 8, 1899, he died from those wounds in Manila on November 7, 1899, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. His Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously on April 29, 1902. The citation preserves the memory of his hazardous river assault.

Official Medal of Honor citation

Swam the San Juan River in the face of the enemy's fire and drove him from his entrenchments.