Jacqueli Finley
In Honor and Memory of Fitz Lee 1866-1889'On June 30, 1898, Cuban freedom fighters and some American volunteers aboard the U.S.S. Florida attempted an amphibious landing at Tayabacoa, Cuba. The landing party immediately engaged with Spanish soldiers from a nearby blockhouse. The Cubans and Americans retreated, leaving behind a group of wounded comrades. A call for volunteers to rescue the wounded soldiers on the U.S.S. Florida began to make the rounds. After several unsuccessful rescue attempts Private Lee, Corporal George H. Wanton, Private Dennis Bell, Sergeant William H. Thompkins, and Lieutenant George P. Ahern stepped forward and offered to rescue their wounded comrades. The five soldiers went ashore and surprised the Spanish holding their comrades. The rescuers were able to free all the wounded soldiers, and everyone returned safely to the U.S.S. Florida. Lee, Wanton, Bell, and Thompkins were awarded the Medal of Honor in the summer of 1899 for their actions at Tayabacoa. Lee received his Medal of Honor while he was in the hospital at Fort Bliss, Texas. His health declined quickly after the rescue mission, with severely limited vision, swollen limbs, and abdominal pain that left him bedridden for three months. Lee was medically discharged from the Army on July 5, 1899, a few days after receiving the Medal of Honor. Lee moved to Leavenworth, Kansas, after discharge to live with fellow retired Buffalo Soldiers. His comrades took care of him while he awaited his disability benefits from the War Department. In constant pain and totally blind, Fitz Lee died at the home of a friend in Kansas on September 14, 1899. He was buried with full military honors at Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery, Section G, Site 3183.'Medals are awarded for acts of valor, and we can all agree with what we know of Fitz lee is that he possessed valor as he was awarded the highest recognition of his uncommon valor: the ’Medal of Honor'.That is all we know about Fitz Lee, Buffalo Soldier. The time has come that we learn more.In this book we will be looking at what information has been found regarding Fitz Lee’s genealogy paper trail and what has been pieced together in hopes that somehow, we can find the answer to his mysterious life, tell his life story, give Fitz the peace and recognition as the person he was. To give Fitz the closure he deserves. Perhaps with public help through this book someone may recognize something that just may well be the missing piece of the puzzle that will tell Fitz Lee’s full life story.That is our hope.This book Proudly Supports the Wounded Warrior Project in honor of Fitz Lee 1866-1889 as I am fundraising for Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) so that I can make a difference in the lives of America’s injured veterans and their families. Please see the Wounded Warrior Project Page fundraiser in honor of Fitz Lee 1866-1889 to make a donation.Every day, 58 injured veterans and their families sign up to receive critical services and support offered by WWP. Thanks to the generosity of people like you, warriors and their families will never pay a penny for these life-changing programs.Will you join me in supporting WWP’s mission to honor and empower wounded warriors by making a gift to my fundraising efforts?Together, we can show warriors that they aren’t alone.Thank you,Jacqueli Finley
