Gen. Guy Vernor Henry (1839–1899) was a Medal of Honor-winning career military officer who served as an early Governor of Puerto Rico.
Henry was born in Fort Smith, Indian Territory (now Arkansas) on March 9, 1839. He graduated from the United States Military Academy on March 9, 1861, serving as a Union soldier in the Civil War, and later in conflicts against the Indians in the West and southwest of the United States of America. During the Spanish-American War, he was dispatched to Guantánamo, Cuba, and later sent to Puerto Rico, alongside General Nelson Miles.
He received successive brevets for gallantry in various battles and was breveted Brigadier General, U.S. Army, for gallantry at the the Battle of Rosebud in Montana, where he was shot through the face while fighting Native Americans. He was awarded the Medal of Honor on December 5, 1893, for his Civil War service at the Battle of Cold Harbor on June 1, 1864, where he was serving as Colonel, 40th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry.
During the invasion of Puerto Rico, Henry led a "Provisional Division" from the city of Ponce to Arecibo, Puerto Rico to rendezvous with General Theodore Schwan, who was arriving from the city of Mayagüez. The tropical rain impeded his trek and before he reached Mayagüez, the conflict was over.
On December 6, 1898, he was designated Governor of Puerto Rico. On February 6, 1899, he dissolved the Cabinet of Puerto Rico, which was instituted with the Autonomic Charter. Henry also eliminated taxes on basic food items. On May 17, 1899, he was replaced by General George W. Davis.
Henry died at his home in Washington, D.C. on October 27, 1899, and is buried in Section 2 of Arlington National Cemetery.