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Philip Kearny

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Military Personnel

The Resume

    (June 2, 1815-September 1, 1862)
    Born in New York City, New York
    Cavalry officer
    Fought in the Mexican-American War (1846-48) and US Civil War (1861-62)
    Also served in the French army during the Franco-Austrian War (1859)
    Promoted to Major General (July 4, 1862)
    Killed during the Battle of Chantilly

Why he might be annoying:

    Disappointed at the lack of combat opportunities, he resigned his commission, ironically just one month before the start of the Mexican-American War. (He rejoined at the start of hostilities.)
    He rode into battle with a sword in one hand, a pistol in the other hand, and the reins in his teeth.
    He resigned his commission a second time over the slow pace of promotion and the failure of his first marriage (1851).
    He was injured when his horse fell through a rotting bridge (1855).
    During the Battle of Chantilly, he decided to investigate a gap in the lines and ignored an aide's warnings with 'The Rebel bullet that can kill me has not yet been molded.'
    He accidentally rode into the middle of the Confederate line, ignored orders to surrender, and was shot while trying to escape.
    At the time of his death, he was on the short list of generals being considered by Lincoln to replace Army of the Potomac commander General George McClellan.

Why he might not be annoying:

    He lost his left arm to a grapeshot wound during the Mexican-American War, but recovered quickly enough to be granted the honor of being the first US soldier to enter the gates of Mexico City.
    His commander, General Winfield Scott, called him 'a perfect soldier' and 'the bravest man I ever knew.'
    He was the first US citizen to receive the French Legion of Honor (1859).
    He designed the first insignia patches for the US Army.
    During Civil War battles, he led his men with the cries, 'I'm a one-armed Jersey son-of-a-gun, follow me' and 'Don't worry, men, they'll all be firing at me.'

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2023, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 10 Votes: 70.0% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 4 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 3 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 2 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 12 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 15 Votes: 53.33% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 11 Votes: 54.55% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 483 Votes: 54.24% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 3804 Votes: 20.32% Annoying