List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Boxer Rebellion
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The Boxer Movement, or Boxer Rebellion, was a Chinese uprising from November 1899 to September 7, 1901, against foreign influence in areas such as trade, politics, religion and technology that occurred in China during the final years of the Manchu rule (Qing Dynasty).[1]
The members of the Chinese Society of Righteous and Harmonious Fists were simply called boxers by the Westerners due to the martial arts and calisthenics they practiced. It began as an anti-foreign, anti-imperialist, peasant-based movement that attacked foreigners who were building railroads and violating Feng shui. Christians who they felt were responsible for foreign domination of China were also targeted. In June 1900, the Boxers invaded Beijing and killed 230 non-Chinese. The Qing commander in chief Ronglu expelled the Boxers from the city.[1] The Qing ordered foreign diplomats and personnel to leave to Tianjin but they refused and stay put in the legation quarter of Beijing.
After the foreign attack at the Battle of Taku Forts (1900) and the foreign invasion in the Seymour Expedition the government of Empress Dowager Cixi ordered the Kansu Braves to surround the foreign diplomats, civilians, soldiers and some Chinese Christians in the legation quarter. The "siege" lasted 55 days until a multinational coalition rushed 20,000 troops to their rescue in the Gaselee Expedition. The Chinese government was forced to indemnify the victims and make many additional concessions. Subsequent reforms implemented after the crisis of 1900 laid the foundation for the end of the Qing Dynasty and the establishment of the modern Chinese Republic.[1]
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 recipients 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.[2]
During the Boxer rebellion, 59 American servicemen received the Medal of Honor for their actions. Four of these were for Army personnel, twenty-two went to navy sailors and the remaining thirty-three went to marines. Harry Fisher was the first Marine to receive the medal posthumously and the only posthumous recipient for this conflict.[3]
Recipients
This with the * indicates that the Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously.
Image | Name | Service | Rank | Place of action | Date of action | Notes |
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John M. Adams | Marine Corps | Sergeant | near Tianjin, China | Jul 13, 1900 | "[For] distinguishing himself by meritorious conduct" |
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Harry C. Adriance | Marine Corps | Corporal | near Tianjin, China | Jul 13, 1900 | "[For] distinguishing himself by meritorious conduct"[4] |
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Edward Allen | Navy | Boatswain's Mate First Class | China | Jun 13, 1900 and Jun 20, 1900 – Jun 22, 1900 | "[For] distinguishing himself by meritorious conduct" |
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Edwin N. Appleton | Marine Corps | Corporal | Tianjin, China | Jun 20, 1900 | "[A]ssisted in destroying buildings occupied by the enemy" |
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Erwin J. Boydston | Marine Corps | Private | Beijing, China | Jul 21, 1900 – Aug 17, 1900 | "[A]ssisted in the erection of barricades" |
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Andre W. Brewster | Army | Captain | Tianjin, China | Jul 13, 1900 | "While under fire rescued two of his men from drowning" |
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James Burnes | Marine Corps | Private | Tianjin, China | Jun 20, 1900 | "[A]ssisted in destroying buildings occupied by hostile forces" |
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Albert R. Campbell | Marine Corps | Private | Tianjin, China | Jun 21, 1900 | For distinguishing himself by his conduct during the advance on Tientsin |
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William L. Carr | Marine Corps | Private | Beijing, China | Jul 21, 1900 – Aug 17, 1900 | For distinguishing himself by his conduct in the presence of the enemy |
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John P. Chatham | Navy | Gunner's Mate Second Class | China | Jun 13, 1900 and Jun 20, 1900 – Jun 22, 1900 | For distinguishing himself by his conduct in the presence of the enemy. |
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Joseph Clancy | Navy | Chief Boatswain's Mate | China | Jun 13, 1900 and Jun 20, 1900 – Jun 22, 1900 | For distinguishing himself by his conduct in the presence of the enemy. |
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James Cooney | Marine Corps | Private | near Tianjin, China | Jul 13, 1900 | "[For] distinguishing himself by meritorious conduct" |
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John O. Dahlgren | Marine Corps | Corporal | Beijing, China | Jun 20, 1900 – Jul 16, 1900 | "[For] distinguishing himself by meritorious conduct" |
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Daniel J. Daly | Marine Corps | Private | Beijing, China | Aug 14, 1900 | For distinguishing himself by meritorious conduct. Later awarded a second Medal of Honor for action in Haiti in 1915.[5] |
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Harry Fisher* | Marine Corps | Private | Beijing, China | Jun 20, 1900 – Jul 16, 1900 | True name: Franklin J. Phillips (enlisted under alias); previously served in the U.S. Army. First US Marine to receive Medal of Honor posthumously. |
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Alexander J. Foley | Marine Corps | Sergeant | near Tianjin, China | Jul 13, 1900 | "[For] distinguishing himself by meritorious conduct" |
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Charles R. Francis | Marine Corps | Private | near Tianjin, China | Jun 21, 1900 | "[For] distinguishing himself by meritorious conduct" |
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Louis R. Gaiennie | Marine Corps | Private | Beijing, China | Jul 21, 1900 – Aug 17, 1900 | "[For] distinguishing himself by meritorious conduct" |
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William F. Hamberger | Navy | Chief Carpenter's Mate | China | Jun 13, 1900 and Jun 20, 1900 – Jun 22, 1900 | "[For] distinguishing himself by meritorious conduct" |
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Burke Hanford | Navy | Machinist First Class | China | Jun 13, 1900 and Jun 20, 1900 – Jun 22, 1900 | "[D]istinguished himself by meritorious conduct" |
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Hans A. Hansen | Navy | Seaman | China | Jun 13, 1900 and Jun 20, 1900 – Jun 22, 1900 | "[D]istinguished himself by meritorious conduct |
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Henry W. Heisch | Marine Corps | Private | Tianjin, China | Jun 20, 1900 | He crossed the river in a small boat while under heavy enemy fire and assisted in destroying buildings occupied by the enemy |
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William E. Holyoke | Navy | Boatswain's Mate First Class | China | Jun 13, 1900 and Jun 20, 1900 – Jun 22, 1900 | "[D]istinguished himself by meritorious conduct" |
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William C. Horton | Marine Corps | Private | Beijing, China | Jul 21, 1900 – Aug 17, 1900 | "[A]assisted in the erection of barricades" |
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Martin Hunt | Marine Corps | Private | Beijing, China | Jun 20, 1900 – Jul 16, 1900 | "[For] distinguishing himself by meritorious conduct" |
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Thomas W. Kates | Marine Corps | Private | Tianjin, China | Jun 21, 1900 | "[For] distinguishing himself by meritorious conduct" |
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Joseph Killackey | Navy | Landsman | China | Jun 13, 1900 and Jun 20, 1900 – Jun 22, 1900 | "[D]istinguished himself by meritorious conduct" |
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Louis B. Lawton | Army | First Lieutenant | Tianjin, China | Jul 13, 1900 | Carried a message and guided reinforcements across a wide and fireswept space, during which he was wounded three times |
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Clarence E. Mathias | Marine Corps | Private | Tianjin, China | Jul 13, 1900 | "[For] distinguishing himself by meritorious conduct" |
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Samuel McAllister | Navy | Ordinary Seaman | Tianjin, China | Jun 20, 1900 | Crossed the river in a small boat and assisted in destroying buildings occupied by the enemy |
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John McCloy | Navy | Coxswain | China | Jun 13, 1900 and Jun 20, 1900 – Jun 22, 1900 | Later awarded a second Medal of Honor for action in Mexico in 1915. |
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Joseph Mitchell | Navy | Gunner's Mate First Class | Beijing, China | Jul 12, 1900 | "[For] distinguishing himself by meritorious conduct" |
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Albert Moore | Marine Corps | Private | Beijing, China | Jul 21, 1900 – Aug 17, 1900 | Assisted in the erection of barricades under a heavy fire from the enemy |
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John A. Murphy | Marine Corps | Drummer | Beijing, China | Jul 21, 1900 – Aug 17, 1900 | "[For] distinguishing himself by meritorious conduct" |
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William H. Murray | Marine Corps | Private | Beijing, China | Jul 21, 1900 – Aug 17, 1900 | "[D]istinguished himself by meritorious conduct" Served under the name of Henry W. Davis. |
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Harry W. Orndoff | Marine Corps | Private | China | Jun 13, 1900 and Jun 20, 1900 – Jun 22, 1900 | "[D]istinguished himself by meritorious conduct" |
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Carl E. Petersen | Navy | Chief Machinist | Beijing, China | Jun 28, 1900 – Aug 17, 1900 | "[D]istinguished himself by meritorious conduct" |
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Reuben J. Phillips | Marine Corps | Corporal | China | Jun 13, 1900 and Jun 20, 1900 – Jun 22, 1900 | For distinguishing himself by meritorious conduct in the presence of the enemy |
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Herbert I. Preston | Marine Corps | Private | Beijing, China | Jul 21, 1900 – Aug 17, 1900 | "[For] distinguishing himself by meritorious conduct" |
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George Rose | Navy | Seaman | Beijing, China | Jun 13, 1900 and Jun 20, 1900 – Jun 22, 1900 | For his actions during the China Relief Expedition |
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Francis T. Ryan | Navy | Coxswain | China | Jun 13, 1900 and Jun 20, 1900 – Jun 22, 1900 | "[D]istinguished himself by meritorious conduct" |
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David J. Scannell | Marine Corps | Private | Beijing, China | Jul 21, 1900 – Aug 17, 1900 | "[For] distinguishing himself by meritorious conduct" |
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William Seach | Navy | Ordinary Seaman | China | Jun 13, 1900 and Jun 20, 1900 – Jun 22, 1900 | Along with six others repulsed an attack by 300 Chinese Imperialist soldiers and Boxer militants with a bayonet charge |
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France Silva | Marine Corps | Private | Beijing, China | Jun 28, 1900 – Aug 17, 1900 | "[For] distinguishing himself by meritorious conduct" |
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Frank E. Smith | Navy | Oiler | China | Jun 13, 1900 and Jun 20, 1900 – Jun 22, 1900 | In the presence of the enemy he distinguished himself by meritorlous conduct |
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James Smith | Navy | Landsman | China | Jun 13, 1900 and Jun 20, 1900 – Jun 22, 1900 | In the presence of the enemy he distinguished himself by meritorious conduct |
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Robert H. Stanley | Navy | Hospital Apprentice | Beijing, China | Jul 12, 1900 | Volunteered to carry messages under fire |
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Peter Stewart | Marine Corps | Gunnery Sergeant | China | Jun 13, 1900 and Jun 20, 1900 – Jun 22, 1900 | In the presence of the enemy he distinguished himself by meritorious conduct |
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Clarence E. Sutton | Marine Corps | Sergeant | Tianjin, China | Jul 13, 1900 | Although under heavy fire from the enemy he assisted in carrying a wounded officer from the field of battle |
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Karl Thomas | Navy | Coxswain | China | Jun 13, 1900 and Jun 20, 1900 – Jun 22, 1900 | "[D]distinguished himself by meritorious conduct" |
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Calvin P. Titus | Army | Musician | Beijing, China | Aug 14, 1900 | Gallant and daring conduct in the presence of the men of his regiment and was the first to scale the wall of the city. |
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Martin T. Torgerson | Navy | Gunner's Mate Third Class | China | Jun 13, 1900 and Jun 20, 1900 – Jun 22, 1900 | "[D]istinguished himself by meritorious conduct" |
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Oscar J. Upham | Marine Corps | Private | Beijing, China | Jul 21, 1900 – Aug 17, 1900 | "[A]ssisted in the erection of barricades" |
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Robert H. Von Schlick | Army | Private | Tianjin, China | Jul 13, 1900 | "Although previously wounded while carrying a wounded comrade to a place of safety, rejoined his command, which partly occupied an exposed position upon a dike, remaining there after his command had been withdrawn, singly keeping up the fire, and obliviously presenting himself as a conspicuous target until he was literally shot off his position by the enemy." |
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Edward A. Walker | Marine Corps | Sergeant | Beijing, China | Jun 20, 1900 – Jul 16, 1900 | "[For] distinguishing himself by meritorious conduct" |
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Axel Westermark | Navy | Seaman | Beijing, China | Jun 28, 1900 – Aug 17, 1900 | "[For] distinguishing himself by meritorious conduct" |
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Jay Williams | Navy | Coxswain | China | Jun 13, 1900 and Jun 20, 1900 – Jun 22, 1900 | Distinguished himself by meritorious conduct while serving with the relief expedition |
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Frank A. Young | Marine Corps | Private | Beijing, China | Jun 20, 1900 – Jul 16, 1900 | "[For] distinguishing himself by meritorious conduct" |
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William Zion | Marine Corps | Private | Beijing, China | Jul 21, 1900 – Aug 17, 1900 | "[For] distinguishing himself by meritorious conduct" |
References
- General
- "Medal of Honor recipients". China Relief Expedition (Boxer Rebellion). United States Army Center of Military History. June 8, 2009. Retrieved June 29, 2009.
- Specific
- 1 2 3 Esherick, Joseph W. (1987). The Origins of the Boxer Uprising. University of California Press. p. 154. ISBN 0-520-06459-3. Retrieved February 6, 2010.
- ↑ "A Brief History — The Medal of Honor". Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). Department of Defense. August 8, 2006. Archived from the original on June 15, 2009. Retrieved February 9, 2010.
- ↑ "Medal of Honor recipients". Medal of Honor statistics. United States Army Center of Military History. September 29, 2009. Retrieved June 29, 2009.
- ↑ "Private Harry Chapman Adriance, USMC, (Deceased)". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on May 16, 2011. Retrieved February 6, 2010.
- ↑ "Sergeant Major Daniel "Dan" Joseph Daly, USMC (Deceased)". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on June 15, 2011. Retrieved February 6, 2010.
Further reading
- Schuon, Karl (June 1963). U. S. Marine Corps biographical dictionary: the corps' fighting men, what they did, where they served. Franklin Watts, Inc. Retrieved February 7, 2010.