The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Private Hugh Purvis, United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism in action on board the U.S.S. Alaska during the attack on and capture of the Korean forts, 11 June 1871. Braving the enemy fire, Private Purvis was the first to scale the walls of the fort and capture the flag of the Korean forces.