Charles Brown
Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps

Charles Brown was born in 1849 in New York, NY.

In 1870, Brown enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in Hong Kong, China. On 11 June 1871, Corporal Brown was serving on the USS Colorado during the Korean Expedition.

The U.S. Expedition to Korea in 1871, also known as Sinmiyangyo (Western Disturbance of the Year Sinmi year), was the first American military action in Korea. It took place predominantly on and around the Korean island of Ganghwa. The reason for the presence of the American military expeditionary force in Korea was to support an American diplomatic delegation sent to establish trade and diplomatic relations with Korea and to ascertain the fate of the General Sherman merchant ship.

On 8 February 1872, Corporal Charles Brown was a recipient of the U.S. military's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor, for his heroic actions on 11 June 1871.

Medal of Honor:

Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps. Born: New York, NY. Enlisted at: Hong Kong, China. G.O. No.: 169, 8 February 1872.

Citation:

On board the USS Colorado in action against a Korean fort on 11 June 1871. Assisted in capturing the Korean standard in the center of the citadel of the fort.