List Of Philippine–American War Medal Of Honor Recipients
The Medal of Honor was created during the American Civil War and is the highest military decoration presented by the United States government to a member of its armed forces. The recipient must have distinguished themselves at the risk of their own life above and beyond the call of duty in action against an enemy of the United States. Due to the nature of this medal, it is commonly presented posthumously.
Eighty-one men were awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions in the Philippine–American War: 70 from the Army, 5 from the Navy, and 6 from the Marine Corps. Four of the awards were posthumous. Among the recipients were Webb Hayes, the son of former U.S. President Rutherford B. Hayes, and two prominent Marine Corps officers, Hiram I. Bearss and David Dixon Porter. Bearss became known for leading long-range reconnaissance patrols behind enemy lines and was later wounded as a colonel in World War I. Porter was from a distinguished military family and rose to become a major general. José B. Nísperos, a member of the Philippine Scouts who was honored for continuing to fight after being wounded, was the first Asian recipient of the Medal of Honor.
Recipients
This with the * indicates that the Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously
- Note: Notes in quotations are derived or are copied in their entirety from the actual Medal of Honor citation
Image | Name | Service | Rank | Place of action | Date of action | Unit | Notes | —
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Frank L. Anders | Army | Corporal | San Miguel de Mayumo, Luzon | May 13, 1899 | Company B, 1st North Dakota Volunteer Infantry | With 11 other scouts, completely routed about 300 of the enemy | ||
Matthew A. Batson | Army | First Lieutenant | Calamba, Luzon | July 26, 1899 | 4th U.S. Cavalry | "Swam the San Juan River in the face of the enemy's fire and [forced them to retreat]" | ||
Hiram I. Bearss | Marine Corps | Captain | junction of the Cadacan and Sohoton Rivers, Samar | November 17, 1901 | Marine Corps | Subsequently awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (United States) for actions in World War I | ||
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|
Harry Bell | Army | Captain | Near Porac, Luzon | October 17, 1899 | 36th Infantry, U.S. Volunteers | "Led a successful charge against a superior force, capturing and dispersing the enemy and relieving other members of his regiment from a perilous position" | |
J. Franklin Bell | Army | Colonel | Near Porac, Luzon | September 9, 1899 | 36th Infantry, U.S. Volunteers | Later became Chief of Staff of the United States Army | ||
Charles G. Bickham | Army | First Lieutenant | Bayong, near Lake Lanao, Mindanao | May 2, 1902 | 27th U.S. Infantry | "Crossed a fire-swept field, in close range of the enemy, and brought a wounded soldier to a place of shelter" | ||
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|
George W. Biegler | Army | Captain | Near Loac, Luzon | October 21, 1900 | 28th Infantry, U.S. Volunteers | "With but 19 men resisted and at close quarters defeated 300 of the enemy" | |
William E. Birkhimer | Army | Captain | San Miguel de Mayumo, Luzon | May 13, 1899 | 3d U.S. Artillery | "With 12 men charged and routed 300 of the enemy" | ||
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Otto Boehler | Army | Private | Near San Isidro | May 16, 1899 | Company I, 1st North Dakota Volunteer Infantry | "With 21 other scouts completely routed 600 of the enemy" | |
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Howard Major Buckley | Marine Corps | Private | Luzon | March 25, 1899 March 27, 1899 March 29, 1899 April 4, 1899 |
Marine Corps | "For distinguished conduct in the presence of the enemy in battle" | |
Bernard A. Byrne | Army | Captain | Bobong, Negros | July 19, 1899 | 6th U.S. Infantry | Rallied his men on the bridge after the line had been broken and pushed back | ||
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|
Anthony J. Carson | Army | Corporal | Catubig, Samar | April 15, 1900 – April 19, 1900 | Company H, 43d Infantry, U.S. Volunteers | "Assumed command of a detachment and withstood the attacks of a large enemy force for 2 days, saving the lives of the survivors and protecting the wounded until relief came" | |
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|
Charles Cawetzka | Army | Private | Near Sariaya, Luzon | August 23, 1900 | Company F, 30th Infantry, U.S. Volunteers | "Single-handed, he defended a disabled comrade against a greatly superior force of the enemy" | |
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Josephus S. Cecil | Army | First Lieutenant | Bud-Dajo, Jolo | March 7, 1906 | 19th U.S. Infantry | Risked his life to carry a wounded man and the body of one who was killed beside him | |
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Clarence M. Condon | Army | Sergeant | Near Calulut, Luzon | November 5, 1899 | Battery G, 3d U.S. Artillery | "While in command of a detachment of 4 men, charged and routed 40 entrenched insurgents, inflicting on them heavy loss. | |
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Charles P. Davis | Army | Private | Near San Isidro | May 16, 1899 | Company G, 1st North Dakota Volunteer Infantry | "With 21 other scouts completely routed 600 of the enemy" | |
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Willis H. Downs | Army | Private | San Miguel de Mayumo, Luzon | May 13, 1899 | Company H, 1st North Dakota Volunteer Infantry | With 11 other scouts, completely routed about 300 of the enemy | |
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Joseph L. Epps | Army | Private | Vigan, Luzon | December 4, 1899 | Company B, 33d Infantry, U.S. Volunteers | "Discovered a party of insurgents inside a wall, climbed to the top of the wall, covered them with his gun, and forced them to stack arms and surrender." | |
Arthur M. Ferguson | Army | First Lieutenant | Near Porac, Luzon | September 28, 1899 | 36th Infantry, U.S. Volunteers | "Charged alone a body of the enemy and captured a captain" | ||
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Joseph Fitz | Navy | Ordinary Seaman | On board the USS Pampanga, Mount Dajo Jolo | March 8, 1906 | USS Pampanga (PG-39) | For displaying bravery and extraordinary heroism in the presence of the enemy | |
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Andrew P. Forbeck | Navy | Seaman | On board the USS Pampanga, during the battle of Katbalogan, Samar | July 16, 1900 | USS Pampanga (PG-39) | "For distinguished conduct in the presence of the enemy during battle" | |
Frederick Funston | Army | Colonel | Rio Grande de la Pampanga, Luzon | April 27, 1899 | 20th Kansas Volunteer Infantry | Riverine operations in Luzon | ||
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Robert Galbraith | Navy | Gunner's Mate Third Class | El Pardo, Cebu | September 12, 1899 – September 13, 1899 | —
|
For extraordinary heroism and gallantry while under fire of the enemy | |
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Sterling A. Galt | Army | Artificer | Bamban, Luzon | November 9, 1899 | Company F, 36th Infantry, U.S. Volunteers | "Distinguished bravery and conspicuous gallantry in action against insurgents" | |
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Antoine A. M. Gaujot | Army | Corporal | Battle of Paye, San Mateo | December 19, 1899 | Company M, 27th Infantry, U.S. Volunteers | Brother of Julien E. V. Gaujot, also a Medal of Honor recipient, First recipient from Virginia Tech | |
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Louis Gedeon | Army | Private | Mount Amia, Cebu | February 4, 1900 | Company G, 19th U.S. Infantry | "Singlehanded, defended his mortally wounded captain from an overwhelming force of the enemy" | |
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Edward H. Gibson | Army | Sergeant | San Mateo | December 19, 1899 | Company M, 27th Infantry, U.S. Volunteers | "Attempted under a heavy fire of the enemy to swim a river for the purpose of obtaining and returning with a canoe" | |
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James R. Gillenwater | Army | Corporal | Near Porac, Luzon | September 3, 1899 | Company A, 36th Infantry, U.S. Volunteers | "While on a scout drove off a superior force of insurgents and with the assistance of 1 comrade brought from the field of action the bodies of 2 comrades, 1 killed and the other severely wounded." | |
Allen J. Greer | Army | Second Lieutenant | Near Majada, Laguna Province | July 2, 1901 | 4th U.S. Infantry | "Charged alone an insurgent outpost with his pistol, killing 1, wounding 2, and capturing 3 insurgents with their rifles and equipment." | ||
William R. Grove | Army | Lieutenant Colonel | Near Porac, Luzon | September 9, 1899 | 36th Infantry, U.S. Volunteers | "In advance of his regiment, rushed to the assistance of his colonel, charging, pistol in hand, 7 insurgents, and compelling surrender of all not killed or wounded." | ||
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|
Harry Harvey | Marine Corps | Sergeant | Benictican, Bataan Province | February 16, 1900 | Marine Corps | Distinguished himself by meritorious conduct in the presence of the enemy | |
Webb Hayes | Army | Lieutenant Colonel | Vigan, Luzon | December 4, 1899 | 31st Infantry, U.S. Volunteers | Son of former President of the U.S. Rutherford B. Hayes | ||
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Joseph Henderson | Army | Sergeant | Patian Island | July 2, 1909 | Troop B, 6th U.S. Cavalry | For bravery in action during the Moro Uprising | |
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Frank C. High | Army | Private | Near San Isidro | May 16, 1899 | Young's Scouts, Company G, 2nd Oregon Volunteer Infantry Regiment | "With 21 other scouts charged across a burning bridge, under heavy fire, and completely routed 600 of the enemy who were entrenched in a strongly fortified position." | |
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John A. Huntsman | Army | Sergeant | Bamban, Luzon | November 9, 1899 | Company E, 36th Infantry, U.S. Volunteers | "For distinguished bravery and conspicuous gallantry in action against insurgents" | |
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Gotfred Jensen | Army | Private | San Miguel de Mayumo, Luzon | May 13, 1899 | Company D, 1st North Dakota Volunteer Infantry | "With 11 other scouts, without waiting for the supporting battalion to aid them or to get into a position to do so, charged over a distance of about 150 yards (140 m) and completely routed about 300 of the enemy, who were in line and in a position that could only be carried by a frontal attack" | |
Gordon Johnston | Army | First Lieutenant | Mount Bud Dajo, Jolo | March 7, 1906 | Signal Corps | "Voluntarily took part in and was dangerously wounded during an assault on the enemy's works." | ||
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John T. Kennedy | Army | Second Lieutenant | Patian Island | July 4, 1909 | 6th U.S. Cavalry | "While in action against hostile Moros, he entered with a few enlisted men the mouth of a cave occupied by a desperate enemy, this act having been ordered after he had volunteered several times. In this action 2d Lt. Kennedy was severely wounded." | |
Charles E. Kilbourne | Army | First Lieutenant | Paco Bridge | February 5, 1899 | U.S. Volunteer Signal Corps | "Within a range of 250 yards (230 m) of the enemy and in the face of a rapid fire climbed a telegraph pole at the east end of the bridge and in full view of the enemy coolly and carefully repaired a broken telegraph wire, thereby reestablishing telegraphic communication to the front." | ||
John B. Kinne | Army | Private | Near San Isidro | May 16, 1899 | Company B, 1st North Dakota Infantry | "With 21 other scouts charged across a burning bridge, under heavy fire, and completely routed 600 of the enemy who were entrenched in a strongly fortified position." | ||
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Cornelius J. Leahy* | Army | Private | Near Porac, Luzon | September 3, 1899 | Company A, 36th Infantry, U.S. Volunteers | "Distinguished gallantry in action in driving off a superior force and with the assistance of 1 comrade brought from the field of action the bodies of 2 comrades, 1 killed and the other severely wounded, this while on a scout." | |
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Joseph Leonard | Marine Corps | Private | Luzon | March 25, 1899 March 27, 1899 March 29, 1899 April 4, 1899 |
Marine Corps | Enlisted as Joseph Melvin | |
John A. Logan* | Army | Major | San Jacinto | November 11, 1899 | 33d Infantry, U.S. Volunteers | "For most distinguished gallantry in leading his battalion upon the entrenchments of the enemy, on which occasion he fell mortally wounded" | ||
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Richard M. Longfellow | Army | Private | Near San Isidro | May 16, 1899 | Company A, 1st North Dakota Volunteer Infantry | "With 21 other scouts charged across a burning bridge, under heavy fire, and completely routed 600 of the enemy who were entrenched in a strongly fortified position." | |
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Edward E. Lyon | Army | Private | San Miguel de Mayumo, Luzon | May 13, 1899 | Company B, 2nd Oregon Volunteer Infantry Regiment (Young's Scouts) | "With 11 other scouts, without waiting for the supporting battalion to aid them or to get into position to do so, charged over a distance of about 150 yards (140 m) and completely routed about 300 of the enemy, who were in line and in a position that could only be carried by a frontal attack." | |
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William P. Maclay | Army | Private | Hilongas, Leyte | May 6, 1900 | Company A, 43d Infantry, U.S. Volunteers | "Charged an occupied bastion, saving the life of an officer in a hand-to-hand combat and destroying the enemy" | |
George W. Mathews | Army | Captain (Assistant Surgeon) | Near Labo, Luzon | October 29, 1899 | 36th Infantry, U.S. Volunteers | "While in attendance upon the wounded and under a severe fire from the enemy, seized a carbine and beat off an attack upon wounded officers and men under his charge." | ||
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James McConnell | Army | Private | Vigan, Luzon | December 4, 1899 | Company B, 33d Infantry, U.S. Volunteers | "Fought for hours lying between 2 dead comrades, notwithstanding his hat was pierced, his clothing plowed through by bullets, and his face cut and bruised by flying gravel." | |
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Hugh J. McGrath* | Army | Captain | Calamba, Luzon | July 26, 1899 | 4th U.S. Cavalry | "Swam the San Juan River in the face of the enemy's fire and drove him from his entrenchments" | |
Archie Miller | Army | First Lieutenant | Patian Island | July 2, 1909 | 6th U.S. Cavalry | Defended a machine gun from capture by the enemy along with Sergeant Joseph Henderson | ||
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John E. Moran | Army | Captain | Near Mabitac, Laguna, Luzon | September 17, 1900 | Company L, 37th Infantry, U.S. Volunteers | "After the attacking party had become demoralized, fearlessly led a small body of troops under a severe fire and through water waist deep in the attack against the enemy." | |
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Louis C. Mosher | Army | Second Lieutenant | Gagsak Mountain, Jolo | June 11, 1913 | Philippine Scouts | "Voluntarily entered a cleared space within about 20 yards (18 m) of the Moro trenches under a furious fire from them and carried a wounded soldier of his company to safety at the risk of his own life." | |
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José B. Nísperos | Army | Private | Lapurap, Basilan | September 24, 1911 | 34th Company, Philippine Scouts | "Having been badly wounded continued to fire his rifle with one hand until the enemy was repulsed, thereby aiding materially in preventing the annihilation of his party and the mutilation of their bodies" | |
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Joseph A. Nolan | Army | Artificer | Labo, Luzon | May 29, 1900 | Company B, 45th Infantry, U.S. Volunteers | "Voluntarily left shelter and at great personal risk passed the enemy's lines and brought relief to besieged comrades" | |
James Parker | Army | Lieutenant Colonel | Vigan, Luzon | December 4, 1899 | 45th Infantry, U.S. Volunteers | "While in command of a small garrison repulsed a savage night attack by overwhelming numbers of the enemy, fighting at close quarters in the dark for several hours." | ||
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Charles H. Pierce | Army | Private | Near San Isidro, Luzon | October 19, 1899 | Company I, 22d U.S. Infantry | "Held a bridge against a superior force of the enemy and fought, though severely wounded, until the main body came up to cross." | |
David D. Porter | Marine Corps | Captain | junction of the Cadacan and Sohoton Rivers, Samar | November 17, 1901 | Marine Corps | Grandson of Admiral David Dixon Porter | ||
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Thomas F. Prendergast | Marine Corps | Corporal | Luzon | March 25, 1899 March 27, 1899 March 29, 1899 April 5, 1899 |
Marine Corps | "For distinguished conduct in the presence of the enemy in battle" | |
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Peter H. Quinn | Army | Private | San Miguel de Mayumo, Luzon | May 13, 1899 | Company L, 4th U.S. Cavalry | "With 11 other scouts without waiting for the supporting battalion to aid them or to get into a position to do so, charged over a distance of about 150 yards (140 m) and completely routed about 300 of the enemy who were in line and in a position that could only be carried by a frontal attack." | |
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Charles W. Ray | Army | Sergeant | Near San Isidro, Luzon | October 19, 1899 | Company I, 22d U.S. Infantry | "Captured a bridge with the detachment he commanded and held it against a superior force of the enemy, thereby enabling an army to come up and cross." | |
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Marcus W. Robertson | Army | Private | Near San Isidro | May 16, 1899 | Company B, 2d Oregon Volunteer Infantry | "With 21 other scouts charged across a burning bridge, under heavy fire, and completely routed 600 of the enemy who were entrenched in a strongly fortified position." | |
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Frank F. Ross | Army | Private | Near San Isidro | May 16, 1899 | Company H, 1st North Dakota Volunteer Infantry | "With 21 other scouts charged across a burning bridge, under heavy fire, and completely routed 600 of the enemy who were entrenched in a strongly fortified position." | |
William H. Sage | Army | Captain | Near Zapote River, Luzon | June 13, 1899 | 23d U.S. Infantry | "With 9 men volunteered to hold an advanced position and held it against a terrific fire of the enemy estimated at 1,000 strong. Taking a rifle from a wounded man, and cartridges from the belts of others, Capt. Sage himself killed 5 of the enemy." | ||
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Henry F. Schroeder | Army | Sergeant | Carig | September 14, 1900 | Company L, 16th U.S. Infantry | "With 22 men defeated 400 insurgents, killing 36 and wounding 90" | |
George C. Shaw | Army | First Lieutenant | Fort Pitacus, Lake Lanao, Mindanao | May 4, 1903 | 27th U.S. Infantry | "For distinguished gallantry in leading the assault and, under a heavy fire from the enemy, maintaining alone his position on the parapet after the first 3 men who followed him there had been killed or wounded, until a foothold was gained by others and the capture of the place assured." | ||
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George M. Shelton | Army | Private | La Paz, Leyte | April 26, 1900 | Company I, 23d U.S. Infantry | "Advanced alone under heavy fire of the enemy and rescued a wounded comrade" | |
George F. Shiels | Army | Major (Surgeon) | Tuliahan River | March 25, 1899 | U.S. Volunteers | "Voluntarily exposed himself to the fire of the enemy and went with 4 men to the relief of 2 native Filipinos Iying wounded about 150 yards (140 m) in front of the lines and personally carried one of them to a place of safety." | ||
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Thomas Sletteland | Army | Private | Near Paete, Luzon | April 12, 1899 | Company C, 1st North Dakota Infantry | "Single-handed and alone defended his dead and wounded comrades against a greatly superior force of the enemy" | |
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George E. Stewart | Army | Second Lieutenant | Passi, Iloilo, Island of Panay | November 26, 1899 | 19th U.S. Infantry | "While crossing a river in face of the enemy, this officer plunged in and at the imminent risk of his own life saved from drowning an enlisted man of his regiment." | |
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Andrew V. Stoltenberg | Navy | Gunner's Mate Second Class | Katbalogan, Samar | July 16, 1900 | —
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"For distinguished conduct in the presence of the enemy in battle" | |
Paul F. Straub | Army | Major (Surgeon) | Alos, Zambales, Luzon | December 21, 1899 | 36th Infantry, U.S. Volunteers | "Voluntarily exposed himself to a hot fire from the enemy in repelling with pistol fire an insurgent attack and at great risk of his own life went under fire to the rescue of a wounded officer and carried him to a place of safety." | ||
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William G. Thordsen | Navy | Coxswain | Hilongas | May 6, 1900 | —
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"For heroism and gallantry under fire of the enemy" | |
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William B. Trembley | Army | Private | Calumpit, Luzon | April 27, 1899 | Company B, 20th Kansas Volunteer Infantry | "Swam the Rio Grande de Pampanga in face of the enemy's fire and fastened a rope to the occupied trenches, thereby enabling the crossing of the river and the driving of the enemy from his fortified position." | |
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Louis J. Van Schaick | Army | First Lieutenant | Near Nasugbu, Batangas | November 23, 1901 | 4th U.S. Infantry | "While in pursuit of a band of insurgents was the first of his detachment to emerge from a canyon, and seeing a column of insurgents and fearing they might turn and dispatch his men as they emerged one by one from the canyon, galloped forward and closed with the insurgents, thereby throwing them into confusion until the arrival of others of the detachment." | |
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Frank O. Walker | Army | Private | Near Taal, Luzon | January 18, 1900 | Company F, 46th Infantry, U.S. Volunteers | "Under heavy fire of the enemy he rescued a dying comrade who was sinking beneath the water" | |
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George W. Wallace | Army | Second Lieutenant | Tinuba, Luzon | March 4, 1900 | 9th U.S. Infantry | "With another officer and a native Filipino, was shot at from an ambush, the other officer falling severely wounded. 2d Lt. Wallace fired in the direction of the enemy, put them to rout, removed the wounded officer from the path, returned to the town, a mile distant, and summoned assistance from his command." | |
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Amos Weaver | Army | Sergeant | Between Calubus and Malalong | November 5, 1899 | Company F, 36th Infantry, U.S. Volunteers | "Alone and unaided, charged a body of 15 insurgents, dislodging them, killing 4 and wounding several." | |
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Seth L. Weld | Army | Corporal | La Paz, Leyte | December 5, 1906 | Company L, 8th U.S. Infantry | "With his right arm cut open with a bolo, went to the assistance of a wounded constabulary officer and a fellow soldier who were surrounded by about 40 Pulajanes, and, using his disabled rifle as a club, beat back the assailants and rescued his party." | |
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John C. Wetherby* | Army | Private | Near Imus, Luzon | November 20, 1899 | Company L, 4th U.S. Infantry | "While carrying important orders on the battlefield, was desperately wounded and, being unable to walk, crawled far enough to deliver his orders." | |
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Edward White | Army | Private | Calumpit, Luzon | April 27, 1899 | Company B, 20th Kansas Volunteer Infantry | "Swam the Rio Grande de Pampanga in face of the enemy's fire and fastened a rope to occupied trenches, thereby enabling the crossing of the river and the driving of the enemy from his fortified position." | |
Arthur H. Wilson | Army | Second Lieutenant | Patian Island | July 4, 1909 | 6th U.S. Cavalry | "While in action against hostile Moros, when, it being necessary to secure a mountain gun in position by rope and tackle, voluntarily with the assistance of an enlisted man, carried the rope forward and fastened it, being all the time under heavy fire of the enemy at short range." |
References
- This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Army Center of Military History.
- General
- "Who's Who list of Marines". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on February 19, 2007. Retrieved July 24, 2008.
- "Medal of Honor recipients". Medal of Honor statistics. United States Army Center of Military History. June 8, 2009. Archived from the original on August 9, 2011. Retrieved June 29, 2009.
- "Philippine Insurrection". United States Army Center of Military History Medal of Honor citations archive. United States Army Center of Military History. June 8, 2009. Archived from the original on April 20, 2008. Retrieved June 29, 2009.
- "Action Against Philippine Outlaws – 1911". United States Army Center of Military History Medal of Honor citations archive. United States Army Center of Military History. June 8, 2009. Archived from the original on December 31, 2012. Retrieved June 2, 2009.
- Inline
- ^ Delmendo, Sharon (2004). The Star-Entangled Banner: One Hundred Years of America in the Philippines. Rutgers University Press. p. 47. ISBN 978-0-8135-3411-4. Retrieved December 3, 2007.
- ^ Agoncillo, Teodoro (1990). History of the Filipino People (Eighth ed.). Quezon City: Garcia. ISBN 971-10-2415-2.
- ^ Constantino, Renato (1975). The Philippines: A Past Revisited. ISBN 978-971-8958-00-1.
- ^ "A Brief History — The Medal of Honor". Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). Department of Defense. August 8, 2006. Archived from the original on May 19, 2009. Retrieved February 9, 2010.
- ^ Owens, Ron (2004). Medal of Honor: Historical Facts & Figures. Paducah, Kentucky: Turner Publishing Company. pp. 71–73, 80–81. ISBN 978-1-56311-995-8.