Published: November 04, 2009 11:56 pm      

MEDAL OF HONOR: Michael Huskey memorialized at Legislature session

The Navy and the Niagara County Sheriff’s honor guard turned out for the Veterans Day Recognition Ceremony at Wednesday’s meeting of the county Legislature.

Michael Huskey, the 14th known Niagara County person to win the Congressional Medal of Honor, was memorialized. Huskey’s action in 1863 while on the Steele’s Bayou/Deer Creek expedition earned him the nation’s highest military honor. However, Huskey died in 1864 and never received the medal, which is traditionally presented by the president of the United States.

Huskey’s family, who emigrated from Ireland, lived in Lockport and then moved to Royalton. Although there is a Huskey Cemetery on Chestnut Ridge Road, there are no known descendants.

County Historian Catherine L. Emerson was emotional as she told the story of Huskey, who helped save the iron-clad USS Carondelet in a Civil War battle in 1863. The USS Carondelet had more fighting engagements than any U.S. Navy ship until World War II.

“I would like to see this Medal of Honor come home,” she said. “Sen. Schumer and Congressman Lee are looking into it. I think if anybody could find it, it’s those two ... If they don’t find it, I’ll go down there and find it myself if I have to.”

The sheriff’s honor guard stood at attention during the ceremonies, and members of the Navy Funeral Honors Program unfolded the flag. The bugler played “Taps” and the flag was presented to Legislature Chairman William Ross.

Capt. Lance Mauro, chief of Naval Operations for Readiness, who is stationed at the Pentagon, led military team members Michael Newton, Dustin Clark and A.J. Stachowicz.

“The team is highly trained, skilled,” Mauro said. “They go out about every day throughout Western New York. We have about 1,500 World War II veterans pass away a day in the country. It’s a great thing to bring the community together to memorialize someone of that stature.”

Deputy historians Craig E. Bacon and Ronald F. Cary and Emerson put the Huskey story together over five weeks of research. Huskey’s life in Niagara County has been verified by census and church records.

Contact reporter Bill Wolcott at 439-9222, ext. 6246.