Guy Vernor Henry


Guy Vernor Henry was a military officer and Medal of Honor recipient who served as an early Governor of Puerto Rico.

Biography

Henry was born in Fort Smith, Indian Territory, the son of William Seton Henry and Arietta Livingston Thompson Henry. His mother was the granddaughter of Vice President Daniel D. Tompkins and Secretary of the Navy and Supreme Court Justice Smith Thompson. He was a fifth great-grandson of Robert Livingston.
William Seton Henry was an 1835 graduate of the United States Military Academy, and attained the rank of Brevet Major for his service in the Mexican–American War. Guy V. Henry graduated from the United States Military Academy in May 1861, serving as a Union officer in the Civil War, and later in conflicts against the Native Americans in the West and southwest of the United States of America. From May 25, 1891, to October 3, 1894, while commanding the 7th Cavalry Regiment, he was also commander of Fort Myer, Virginia. During the Spanish–American War, he was dispatched to Guantánamo, Cuba, and later sent to Puerto Rico, alongside General Nelson Miles.
He received successive brevets for gallantry in various battles and was brevetted brigadier general, United States Army, for gallantry at the Battle of Rosebud in Montana Territory, where he was shot through the face while fighting Native Americans. He received the Medal of Honor on December 5, 1893, for his Civil War service at the Battle of Cold Harbor on June 1, 1864, where he was serving as a colonel and commanded a brigade.
During the invasion of Puerto Rico, Henry led a "Provisional Division" from the city of Ponce to Arecibo, Puerto Rico, to rendezvous with General Theodore Schwan, who was arriving from the city of Mayagüez. The tropical rain impeded his trek and before he reached Mayagüez, the conflict was over.
On December 6, 1898, he was designated Governor of Puerto Rico. On February 6, 1899, he dissolved the Cabinet of Puerto Rico, which was instituted with the Autonomic Charter. Henry also eliminated taxes on basic food items. On May 2, 1899 he instituted the eight-hour work day in Puerto Rico. On May 9, 1899, he was replaced by General George W. Davis.
Henry died of pneumonia in New York City in October 1899 and was buried in Section 2 of Arlington National Cemetery.
General Henry was an Hereditary Member of the Aztec Club of 1847, a First Class Companion of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States and the Regular Army and Navy Union.

Personal Life

Henry's first marriage was to Frances Wharton of Philadelphia. They had at least two children:
  1. Sarah Wharton Henry, who married Lt. James Watson Benton, an 1885 graduate of West Point and grandson of James Watson Webb.
  2. Thomas Lloyd Henry
Henry married secondly Julia McNair and had at least two sons:
  1. Guy V. Henry, Jr. also served in the military with a distinguished career, and went on to win a bronze medal in the 1912 Olympic Games in Stockholm.
  2. William Seton Henry II.

    Awards

Note - Except for the Medal of Honor, the above listed awards were not established until after General Henry's death.

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Colonel, 40th Massachusetts Infantry. Place and date: At Cold Harbor, Va., June 1, 1864. Entered service at: Reading Pa. Birth: Fort Smith, Indian Ter. Date of issue: December 5, 1893.
Citation:
Led the assaults of his brigade upon the enemy's works, where he had 2 horses shot under him.