List of Philippine–American War Medal of Honor recipients facts for kids

The Philippine-American War was a fight between the United States and the First Philippine Republic, which was the government of the Filipino people at the time. This war happened from 1899 to at least 1902. It started because Filipinos wanted to be independent and didn't want the U.S. to control their country.

Even though the war was officially over in 1902, American soldiers continued to fight against some Filipino groups until 1913. Some historians believe these later fights were still part of the war.

The Medal of Honor is the highest award a soldier can receive in the U.S. military. It was first created during the American Civil War. This special medal is given to military members who show extreme bravery and risk their lives far beyond what is expected, especially when fighting an enemy. Because of how brave someone has to be to earn it, the medal is often given after the person has died. This is called being awarded posthumously.

Eighty-six brave men received the Medal of Honor for their actions during the Philippine–American War. Most of them, 70, were from the Army. Ten were from the Navy, and six were from the Marine Corps. Four of these medals were given after the soldiers had died.

Some famous people who received this medal include Webb Hayes, whose father was Rutherford B. Hayes, a former U.S. President. Two well-known Marine Corps officers, Hiram I. Bearss and David Dixon Porter, also earned it. Bearss was known for leading daring patrols deep behind enemy lines. He was later injured in World War I. Porter came from a famous military family and became a major general.

José B. Nísperos was a member of the Philippine Scouts, a group of Filipino soldiers who served with the U.S. Army. He was honored for continuing to fight even after being badly wounded. He was also the very first person of Asian descent to receive the Medal of Honor.

Brave Actions: Medal of Honor Recipients

The Medal of Honor was given to many soldiers, sailors, and Marines for their amazing bravery during the Philippine-American War. Here are some examples of their heroic acts:

• Frank L. Anders (Army): With 11 other scouts, he bravely charged and defeated about 300 enemy soldiers in San Miguel de Mayumo, Luzon.
• Matthew A. Batson (Army): He swam across the San Juan River while under enemy fire, forcing the enemy to retreat from their positions in Calamba, Luzon.
• Hiram I. Bearss (Marine Corps): He showed great courage during a battle at the junction of the Cadacan and Sohoton Rivers in Samar.
• Harry Bell (Army): He led a successful charge against a much larger enemy force near Porac, Luzon. His actions saved other soldiers from a dangerous situation.
• J. Franklin Bell (Army): He later became the Chief of Staff of the United States Army. He was honored for his actions near Porac, Luzon.
• Charles G. Bickham (Army): He bravely crossed a field under heavy enemy fire to rescue a wounded soldier and bring him to safety in Bayong, Mindanao.
• George W. Biegler (Army): With only 19 men, he fought off and defeated 300 enemy soldiers near Loac, Luzon.
• William E. Birkhimer (Army): With 12 men, he charged and routed 300 enemy soldiers in San Miguel de Mayumo, Luzon.
• Otto Boehler (Army): He was one of 22 scouts who completely defeated 600 enemy soldiers near San Isidro.
• Howard Major Buckley (Marine Corps): He showed distinguished conduct in battle on Luzon on multiple dates.
• Bernard A. Byrne (Army): He rallied his men on a bridge after their line was broken and pushed back in Bobong, Negros.
• Anthony J. Carson (Army): He took command of a group of soldiers and held off a large enemy force for two days in Catubig, Samar. He saved lives and protected the wounded until help arrived.
• John H. Catherwood (Navy): He showed bravery during actions in the Moro Rebellion in Mundang, Basilan.
• Charles Cawetzka (Army): Alone, he defended a wounded friend against a much larger enemy force near Sariaya, Luzon.
• Josephus S. Cecil (Army): He risked his life to carry a wounded man at Bud-Dajo, Jolo.
• Clarence M. Condon (Army): With only four men, he charged and defeated 40 enemy fighters who were dug in near Calulut, Luzon.
• Charles P. Davis (Army): He was one of 22 scouts who completely defeated 600 enemy soldiers near San Isidro.
• Willis H. Downs (Army): He was one of 12 scouts who charged and routed about 300 enemy soldiers in San Miguel de Mayumo, Luzon.
• Joseph L. Epps (Army): He discovered enemy fighters inside a wall in Vigan, Luzon. He climbed the wall, held them at gunpoint, and forced them to surrender.
• Arthur M. Ferguson (Army): He charged alone into a group of enemy soldiers and captured a captain near Porac, Luzon.
• Joseph Fitz (Navy): He showed amazing bravery and heroism while facing the enemy on board the USS Pampanga at Mount Dajo Jolo.
• Andrew P. Forbeck (Navy): He showed distinguished conduct during battle in Katbalogan, Samar.
• Frederick Funston (Army): He led river operations in Luzon at Rio Grande de la Pampanga.
• Robert Galbraith (Navy): He showed extraordinary heroism and gallantry while under enemy fire in El Pardo, Cebu.
• Sterling A. Galt (Army): He showed distinguished bravery and gallantry against enemy fighters in Bamban, Luzon.
• Antoine A. M. Gaujot (Army): He was honored for his actions at the Battle of Paye, San Mateo. His brother, Julien E. V. Gaujot, also received the Medal of Honor.
• Louis Gedeon (Army): Alone, he defended his dying captain from a large enemy force at Mount Amia, Cebu.
• Edward H. Gibson (Army): Under heavy enemy fire, he tried to swim a river to get a canoe in San Mateo.
• James R. Gillenwater (Army): While scouting, he drove off a larger enemy force and, with one friend, carried two wounded or killed comrades from the battlefield near Porac, Luzon.
• Allen J. Greer (Army): He charged an enemy outpost alone with his pistol, capturing three enemy fighters with their weapons near Majada, Laguna Province.
• William R. Grove (Army): He rushed ahead of his regiment to help his colonel, charging seven enemy fighters with his pistol and forcing them to surrender near Porac, Luzon.
• Bolden R. Harrison (Navy): He showed bravery during actions in the Moro Rebellion in Mundang, Basilan.
• Harry Harvey (Marine Corps): He showed excellent conduct while facing the enemy in Benictican, Bataan Province.
• Webb Hayes (Army): The son of former U.S. President Rutherford B. Hayes, he was honored for his actions in Vigan, Luzon.
• Joseph Henderson (Army): He showed bravery during the Moro Uprising on Patian Island.
• George F. Henrechon (Navy): He showed bravery during actions in the Moro Rebellion in Mundang, Basilan.
• Frank C. High (Army): He was one of 22 scouts who charged across a burning bridge under heavy fire, completely defeating 600 enemy soldiers near San Isidro.
• John A. Huntsman (Army): He showed distinguished bravery and gallantry against enemy fighters in Bamban, Luzon.
• Gotfred Jensen (Army): With 11 other scouts, he charged about 150 yards and completely defeated 300 enemy soldiers in San Miguel de Mayumo, Luzon.
• Gordon Johnston (Army): He bravely took part in an attack on enemy positions and was seriously wounded at Mount Bud Dajo, Jolo.
• John T. Kennedy (Army): He bravely entered a cave occupied by a dangerous enemy with a few soldiers, even after volunteering several times. He was severely wounded in this action on Patian Island.
• Charles E. Kilbourne (Army): Under heavy enemy fire, he climbed a telegraph pole to fix a broken wire, restoring communication to the front lines at Paco Bridge.
• John B. Kinne (Army): He was one of 22 scouts who charged across a burning bridge under heavy fire, completely defeating 600 enemy soldiers near San Isidro.
• Cornelius J. Leahy (Army): He showed great bravery in driving off a larger enemy force and, with one friend, carried two wounded or killed comrades from the battlefield near Porac, Luzon. He was killed in action.
• Joseph Leonard (Marine Corps): He showed distinguished conduct in battle on Luzon on multiple dates.
• John A. Logan (Army): He showed great bravery by leading his battalion against enemy trenches, where he was fatally wounded in San Jacinto. He was killed in action.
• Richard M. Longfellow (Army): He was one of 22 scouts who charged across a burning bridge under heavy fire, completely defeating 600 enemy soldiers near San Isidro.
• Edward E. Lyon (Army): With 11 other scouts, he charged about 150 yards and completely defeated 300 enemy soldiers in San Miguel de Mayumo, Luzon.
• William P. Maclay (Army): He charged an enemy fort, saving an officer's life in hand-to-hand combat and defeating the enemy in Hilongas, Leyte.
• George W. Mathews (Army): While caring for the wounded and under heavy enemy fire, he grabbed a carbine and fought off an attack on wounded officers and men near Labo, Luzon.
• James McConnell (Army): He fought for hours while lying between two dead comrades, even though his hat was shot through and his face was cut by flying gravel in Vigan, Luzon.
• Hugh J. McGrath (Army): He swam the San Juan River under enemy fire and drove them from their positions in Calamba, Luzon. He was killed in action.
• Fred H. McGuire (Navy): He showed bravery during actions in the Moro Rebellion in Mundang, Basilan.
• Archie Miller (Army): He defended a machine gun from being captured by the enemy along with Sergeant Joseph Henderson on Patian Island.
• John E. Moran (Army): After his attacking group became disorganized, he fearlessly led a small group of soldiers under heavy fire and through waist-deep water to attack the enemy near Mabitac, Laguna, Luzon.
• Louis C. Mosher (Army): He bravely entered an open area near enemy trenches under heavy fire to carry a wounded soldier to safety on Gagsak Mountain, Jolo.
• José B. Nísperos (Army): Even after being badly wounded, he continued to fire his rifle with one hand until the enemy was pushed back. This greatly helped prevent his group from being wiped out in Lapurap, Basilan.
• Joseph A. Nolan (Army): He voluntarily left cover and risked his life to pass enemy lines and bring help to trapped comrades in Labo, Luzon.
• James Parker (Army): While in command of a small group of soldiers, he fought off a fierce night attack by a much larger enemy force, fighting hand-to-hand in the dark for several hours in Vigan, Luzon.
• Charles H. Pierce (Army): He held a bridge against a larger enemy force and continued to fight, even though he was severely wounded, until the main army arrived to cross near San Isidro, Luzon.
• David D. Porter (Marine Corps): He showed great bravery at the junction of the Cadacan and Sohoton Rivers in Samar. He was the grandson of Admiral David Dixon Porter.
• Thomas F. Prendergast (Marine Corps): He showed distinguished conduct in battle on Luzon on multiple dates.
• Peter H. Quinn (Army): With 11 other scouts, he charged about 150 yards and completely defeated 300 enemy soldiers in San Miguel de Mayumo, Luzon.
• Charles W. Ray (Army): He captured a bridge with his group and held it against a larger enemy force, allowing the army to cross near San Isidro, Luzon.
• Marcus W. Robertson (Army): He was one of 22 scouts who charged across a burning bridge under heavy fire, completely defeating 600 enemy soldiers near San Isidro.
• Frank F. Ross (Army): He was one of 22 scouts who charged across a burning bridge under heavy fire, completely defeating 600 enemy soldiers near San Isidro.
• William H. Sage (Army): With nine men, he volunteered to hold an advanced position against a huge enemy force. He even took a rifle from a wounded man and killed five enemy soldiers himself near Zapote River, Luzon.
• Henry F. Schroeder (Army): With 22 men, he defeated 400 enemy fighters, killing 36 and wounding 90 in Carig.
• George C. Shaw (Army): He showed great bravery by leading an attack and holding his position alone on the enemy's wall after the first three men who followed him were killed or wounded, until others could join him and capture the place at Fort Pitacus, Lake Lanao, Mindanao.
• George M. Shelton (Army): He advanced alone under heavy enemy fire to rescue a wounded friend in La Paz, Leyte.
• George F. Shiels (Army): He voluntarily exposed himself to enemy fire to help two wounded Filipino natives lying in front of the lines, and personally carried one to safety at Tuliahan River.
• Thomas Sletteland (Army): Alone, he defended his dead and wounded friends against a much larger enemy force near Paete, Luzon.
• George E. Stewart (Army): While crossing a river under enemy fire, he jumped in and, at great risk to his own life, saved a drowning soldier from his regiment in Passi, Island of Panay.
• Andrew V. Stoltenberg (Navy): He showed distinguished conduct during battle in Katbalogan, Samar.
• Paul F. Straub (Army): He bravely exposed himself to heavy enemy fire to fight off an attack with his pistol. He also risked his life to rescue a wounded officer and carry him to safety in Alos, Zambales, Luzon.
• William G. Thordsen (Navy): He showed heroism and gallantry under enemy fire in Hilongas.
• William B. Trembley (Army): He swam the Rio Grande de Pampanga under enemy fire and attached a rope to their trenches. This allowed soldiers to cross the river and drive the enemy from their fortified position in Calumpit, Luzon.
• Louis J. Van Schaick (Army): He was the first to emerge from a canyon while chasing enemy fighters. Seeing a column of them, he bravely galloped forward and attacked them, confusing them until his men arrived near Nasugbu, Batangas.
• Jacob Volz (Navy): He showed bravery during actions in the Moro Rebellion in Mundang, Basilan.
• Frank O. Walker (Army): Under heavy enemy fire, he rescued a dying friend who was sinking in the water near Taal, Luzon.
• George W. Wallace (Army): With another officer and a Filipino native, he was ambushed. The other officer was severely wounded. Wallace fired at the enemy, made them run away, moved the wounded officer to safety, and went back to town for help in Tinuba, Luzon.
• Amos Weaver (Army): Alone, he charged 15 enemy fighters, driving them off, killing four, and wounding several between Calubus and Malalong.
• Seth L. Weld (Army): With his right arm badly cut, he went to help a wounded officer and another soldier who were surrounded by about 40 enemy fighters. Using his broken rifle as a club, he fought off the attackers and rescued his group in La Paz, Leyte.
• John C. Wetherby (Army): While carrying important orders on the battlefield, he was badly wounded. Unable to walk, he crawled far enough to deliver his orders near Imus, Luzon. He was killed in action.
• Edward White (Army): He swam the Rio Grande de Pampanga under enemy fire and attached a rope to their trenches. This allowed soldiers to cross the river and drive the enemy from their fortified position in Calumpit, Luzon.
• Arthur H. Wilson (Army): While fighting enemy fighters, he bravely carried a rope forward with another soldier and fastened it to help position a mountain gun. He did this while under heavy enemy fire at close range on Patian Island.

Images for kids

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  Captain Hiram I. Bearss

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  Colonel J. Franklin Bell

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  First Lieutenant Gordon Johnston

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  First Lieutenant Archie Miller

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  Captain David Dixon Porter