Hugh Purvis
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Hugh Purvis (1843 – ??) was an enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and a recipient of the Medal of Honor.
Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Purvis enlisted in the Marine Corps 27 October 1869. He reported immediately to the marine detachment on board Alaska soon departing for the Far East. During the punitive expedition to Korea in 1871, he took part in the assault on an enemy fort on the Han River. In desperate hand-to-hand fighting, the sailors and marines stormed the walls of the citadel. Private Purvis ran immediately to the flagstaff which bore the Korean colors and loosed the halyards. He was joined by Cpl. Charles Brown, and the two tore down the flag. For his "inspiring and heroic" act Private Purvis was awarded the Medal of Honor.
He was discharged in 1873 and served two later tours with the Marine Corps, 1874 to 1879 and 1879 to 1884, rising to Corporal.
USS Hugh Purvis (DD-709) was named for him.
This article includes text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.
