The Philippine–American War was an armed military conflict between the United States and the First Philippine Republic, fought from 1899 to at least 1902, which arose from a Filipino political struggle against U.S. occupation of the Philippines. While the conflict was officially declared over on July 4, 1902,[1] [2] [3] American troops continued hostilities against remnants of the Philippine Army and other resistance groups until 1913, and some historians consider these unofficial extensions part of the war.
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.[4]
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.[5]
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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Army | San Miguel de Mayumo, Luzon | Company B, 1st North Dakota Volunteer Infantry | With 11 other scouts, completely routed about 300 of the enemy | |||||
| Army | Calamba, Luzon | 4th U.S. Cavalry | "Swam the San Juan River in the face of the enemy's fire and [forced them to retreat]" | |||||
| Marine Corps | junction of the Cadacan and Sohoton Rivers, Samar | Marine Corps | Subsequently awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (United States) for actions in World War I | |||||
| Army | Near Porac, Luzon | 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" | |||||
| Army | Near Porac, Luzon | 36th Infantry, U.S. Volunteers | Later became Chief of Staff of the United States Army | |||||
| Army | Bayong, near Lake Lanao, Mindanao | 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" | |||||
| Army | Near Loac, Luzon | 28th Infantry, U.S. Volunteers | "With but 19 men resisted and at close quarters defeated 300 of the enemy" | |||||
| Army | San Miguel de Mayumo, Luzon | 3d U.S. Artillery | "With 12 men charged and routed 300 of the enemy" | |||||
| Army | Near San Isidro | Company I, 1st North Dakota Volunteer Infantry | "With 21 other scouts completely routed 600 of the enemy" | |||||
| Marine Corps | Luzon | Marine Corps | "For distinguished conduct in the presence of the enemy in battle" | |||||
| Army | Bobong, Negros | 6th U.S. Infantry | Rallied his men on the bridge after the line had been broken and pushed back | |||||
| Army | Catubig, Samar | – | 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" | ||||
| Army | Near Sariaya, Luzon | Company F, 30th Infantry, U.S. Volunteers | "Single-handed, he defended a disabled comrade against a greatly superior force of the enemy" | |||||
| Army | Bud-Dajo, Jolo | 19th U.S. Infantry | Risked his life to carry a wounded man and the body of one who was killed beside him | |||||
| Army | Near Calulut, Luzon | 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. | |||||
| Army | Near San Isidro | Company G, 1st North Dakota Volunteer Infantry | "With 21 other scouts completely routed 600 of the enemy" | |||||
| Army | San Miguel de Mayumo, Luzon | Company H, 1st North Dakota Volunteer Infantry | With 11 other scouts, completely routed about 300 of the enemy | |||||
| Army | Vigan, Luzon | 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." | |||||
| Army | Near Porac, Luzon | 36th Infantry, U.S. Volunteers | "Charged alone a body of the enemy and captured a captain" | |||||
| Navy | On board the, Mount Dajo Jolo | For displaying bravery and extraordinary heroism in the presence of the enemy | ||||||
| Navy | On board the, during the battle of Katbalogan, Samar | "For distinguished conduct in the presence of the enemy during battle" | ||||||
| Army | Rio Grande de la Pampanga, Luzon | 20th Kansas Volunteer Infantry | Riverine operations in Luzon | |||||
| Navy | Gunner's Mate Third Class | El Pardo, Cebu | – | For extraordinary heroism and gallantry while under fire of the enemy | ||||
| Army | Artificer | Bamban, Luzon | Company F, 36th Infantry, U.S. Volunteers | "Distinguished bravery and conspicuous gallantry in action against insurgents" | ||||
| Army | Battle of Paye, San Mateo | Company M, 27th Infantry, U.S. Volunteers | Brother of Julien E. V. Gaujot, also a Medal of Honor recipient, First recipient from Virginia Tech | |||||
| Army | Mount Amia, Cebu | Company G, 19th U.S. Infantry | "Singlehanded, defended his mortally wounded captain from an overwhelming force of the enemy" | |||||
| Army | San Mateo | 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" | |||||
| Army | Near Porac, Luzon | 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." | |||||
| Army | Near Majada, Laguna Province | 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." | |||||
| Army | Near Porac, Luzon | 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." | |||||
| Marine Corps | Benictican, Bataan Province | Marine Corps | Distinguished himself by meritorious conduct in the presence of the enemy | |||||
| Army | Vigan, Luzon | 31st Infantry, U.S. Volunteers | Son of former President of the U.S. Rutherford B. Hayes | |||||
| Army | Patian Island | Troop B, 6th U.S. Cavalry | For bravery in action during the Moro Uprising | |||||
| Army | Near San Isidro | 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." | |||||
| Army | Bamban, Luzon | Company E, 36th Infantry, U.S. Volunteers | "For distinguished bravery and conspicuous gallantry in action against insurgents" | |||||
| Army | San Miguel de Mayumo, Luzon | 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 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" | |||||
| Army | Mount Bud Dajo, Jolo | Signal Corps | "Voluntarily took part in and was dangerously wounded during an assault on the enemy's works." | |||||
| Army | Patian Island | 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." | |||||
| Army | Paco Bridge | U.S. Volunteer Signal Corps | "Within a range of 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." | |||||
| Army | Near San Isidro | 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." | |||||
| Army | Near Porac, Luzon | 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." | |||||
| Marine Corps | Luzon | Marine Corps | Enlisted as Joseph Melvin | |||||
| Army | San Jacinto | 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" | |||||
| Army | Near San Isidro | 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." | |||||
| Army | San Miguel de Mayumo, Luzon | 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 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." | |||||
| Army | Hilongas, Leyte | 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" | |||||
| Army | Near Labo, Luzon | 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." | |||||
| Army | Vigan, Luzon | 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." | |||||
| Army | Calamba, Luzon | 4th U.S. Cavalry | "Swam the San Juan River in the face of the enemy's fire and drove him from his entrenchments" | |||||
| Army | Patian Island | 6th U.S. Cavalry | Defended a machine gun from capture by the enemy along with Sergeant Joseph Henderson | |||||
| Army | Near Mabitac, Laguna, Luzon | 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." | |||||
| Army | Gagsak Mountain, Jolo | Philippine Scouts | "Voluntarily entered a cleared space within about 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." | |||||
| Army | Lapurap, Basilan | 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" | |||||
| Army | Artificer | Labo, Luzon | 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" | ||||
| Army | Vigan, Luzon | 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." | |||||
| Army | Near San Isidro, Luzon | 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." | |||||
| Marine Corps | junction of the Cadacan and Sohoton Rivers, Samar | Marine Corps | Grandson of Admiral David Dixon Porter | |||||
| Marine Corps | Luzon | Marine Corps | "For distinguished conduct in the presence of the enemy in battle" | |||||
| Army | San Miguel de Mayumo, Luzon | 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 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." | |||||
| Army | Near San Isidro, Luzon | 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." | |||||
| Army | Near San Isidro | 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." | |||||
| Army | Near San Isidro | 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." | |||||
| Army | Near Zapote River, Luzon | 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." | |||||
| Army | Carig | Company L, 16th U.S. Infantry | "With 22 men defeated 400 insurgents, killing 36 and wounding 90" | |||||
| Army | Fort Pitacus, Lake Lanao, Mindanao | 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." | |||||
| Army | La Paz, Leyte | Company I, 23d U.S. Infantry | "Advanced alone under heavy fire of the enemy and rescued a wounded comrade" | |||||
| Army | Tuliahan River | 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 in front of the lines and personally carried one of them to a place of safety." | |||||
| Army | Near Paete, Luzon | Company C, 1st North Dakota Infantry | "Single-handed and alone defended his dead and wounded comrades against a greatly superior force of the enemy" | |||||
| Army | Passi, Iloilo, Island of Panay | 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." | |||||
| Navy | Gunner's Mate Second Class | Katbalogan, Samar | "For distinguished conduct in the presence of the enemy in battle" | |||||
| Army | Alos, Zambales, Luzon | 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." | |||||
| Navy | Coxswain | Hilongas | "For heroism and gallantry under fire of the enemy" | |||||
| Army | Calumpit, Luzon | 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." | |||||
| Army | Near Nasugbu, Batangas | 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." | |||||
| Army | Near Taal, Luzon | Company F, 46th Infantry, U.S. Volunteers | "Under heavy fire of the enemy he rescued a dying comrade who was sinking beneath the water" | |||||
| Army | Tinuba, Luzon | 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." | |||||
| Army | Between Calubus and Malalong | Company F, 36th Infantry, U.S. Volunteers | "Alone and unaided, charged a body of 15 insurgents, dislodging them, killing 4 and wounding several." | |||||
| Army | La Paz, Leyte | 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." | |||||
| Army | Near Imus, Luzon | 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." | |||||
| Army | Calumpit, Luzon | 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." | |||||
| Army | Patian Island | 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." |