Joseph Keene (April 3, 1839 – December 1, 1921) was an American soldier who fought in the

American Civil War The American Civil War (April 12, 1861 – May 26, 1865; also known by other names) was a civil war in the United States. It was fought between the Union ("the North") and the Confederacy ("the South"), the latter formed by states th ...

. Keene received his country's highest award for bravery during combat, the

Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor (MOH) is the United States Armed Forces' highest military decoration and is awarded to recognize American soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, guardians and coast guardsmen who have distinguished themselves by acts of valor. ...

. Keene's medal was won for his actions at the

Battle of Fredericksburg The Battle of Fredericksburg was fought December 11–15, 1862, in and around Fredericksburg, Virginia, in the Eastern Theater of the American Civil War. The combat, between the Union Army of the Potomac commanded by Maj. Gen. Ambrose Burnsi ...

in Virginia, where he voluntarily seized his regiments colors after several Color Bearers had been shot down and led his regiment in the charge on December 13, 1862. He was honored with the award on December 2, 1892. Keene was born in England. He joined the 26th New York Infantry from

Utica, New York Utica () is a Administrative divisions of New York, city in the Mohawk Valley and the county seat of Oneida County, New York, United States. The List of cities in New York, tenth-most-populous city in New York State, its population was 65,283 ...

in May 1861, and mustered out with this regiment after two years. He re-enlisted with the 3rd New York Heavy Artillery in June 1863, and mustered out with this regiment in July 1865.3rd NY Heavy Artillery regimental roster
/ref> Keene was later buried in

Whitesboro, New York Whitesboro is a village in Oneida County, New York, United States. The population was 3,772 at the 2010 census. The village is named after Hugh White, an early settler. The Village of Whitesboro is inside the Town of Whitestown. History The vi ...

Medal of Honor citation

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Keene, Joseph 1839 births 1921 deaths American Civil War recipients of the Medal of Honor Burials in New York (state) English-born Medal of Honor recipients English emigrants to the United States People from Oneida County, New York People of New York (state) in the American Civil War Union Army soldiers United States Army Medal of Honor recipients

Medal of Honor citation

See also

References