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]
| Image | Name | Service | Rank | Place of action | Date of action | Notes |
|---|
| —}} | {{Sortname|John M.|Adams|John Mapes Adams}}}} | Marine Corps | E-5|Sergeant}} | Tianjin, China|near Tianjin, China}} | {{dts|1900|Jul|13}}}} | "[For] distinguishing himself by meritorious conduct" |
| —}} | {{Sortname|Harry C.|Adriance}}}} | Marine Corps | E-4|Corporal}} | Tianjin, China|near Tianjin, China}} | {{dts|1900|Jul|13}}}} | "[For] distinguishing himself by meritorious conduct"[4] |
| —}} | {{Sortname|Edward|Allen|Edward Allen (Medal of Honor)}}}} | Navy | E-6|Boatswain's Mate First Class}} | China | {{dts|1900|Jun|13}}}} and {{nowrap|{{dts|1900|Jun|20}}}} – {{nowrap|{{dts|1900|Jun|22}}}} | "[For] distinguishing himself by meritorious conduct" |
| —}} | {{Sortname|Edwin N.|Appleton|Edwin Nelson Appleton}}}} | Marine Corps | E-4|Corporal}} | Tianjin, China | {{dts|1900|Jun|20}}}} | "[A]ssisted in destroying buildings occupied by the enemy" |
| —}} | {{Sortname|Erwin J.|Boydston|Erwin Jay Boydston}}}} | Marine Corps | E-1|Private}} | Beijing, China | {{dts|1900|Jul|21}}}} – {{nowrap|{{dts|1900|Aug|17}}}} | "[A]ssisted in the erection of barricades" |
| {{Sortname|Andre W.|Brewster}}}} | Army | O-03|Captain}} | Tianjin, China | {{dts|1900|Jul|13}}}} | "While under fire rescued two of his men from drowning" |
| —}} | {{Sortname|James|Burnes|dab=Medal of Honor}}}} | Marine Corps | E-1|Private}} | Tianjin, China | {{dts|1900|Jun|20}}}} | "[A]ssisted in destroying buildings occupied by hostile forces" |
| —}} | {{Sortname|Albert R.|Campbell|Albert Ralph Campbell}}}} | Marine Corps | E-1|Private}} | Tianjin, China | {{dts|1900|Jun|21}}}} | For distinguishing himself by his conduct during the advance on Tientsin |
| —}} | {{Sortname|William L.|Carr|William Louis Carr}}}} | Marine Corps | E-1|Private}} | Beijing, China | {{dts|1900|Jul|21}}}} – {{nowrap|{{dts|1900|Aug|17}}}} | For distinguishing himself by his conduct in the presence of the enemy |
| —}} | {{Sortname|John P.|Chatham|John Purnell Chatham}}}} | Navy | E-5|Gunner's Mate Second Class}} | China | {{dts|1900|Jun|13}}}} and {{nowrap|{{dts|1900|Jun|20}}}} – {{nowrap|{{dts|1900|Jun|22}}}} | For distinguishing himself by his conduct in the presence of the enemy. |
| —}} | {{Sortname|Joseph|Clancy|dab=Medal of Honor}}}} | Navy | E-7|Chief Boatswain's Mate}} | China | {{dts|1900|Jun|13}}}} and {{nowrap|{{dts|1900|Jun|20}}}} – {{nowrap|{{dts|1900|Jun|22}}}} | For distinguishing himself by his conduct in the presence of the enemy. |
| —}} | {{Sortname|James|Cooney|dab=Medal of Honor}}}} | Marine Corps | E-1|Private}} | Tianjin, China|near Tianjin, China}} | {{dts|1900|Jul|13}}}} | "[For] distinguishing himself by meritorious conduct" |
| —}} | {{Sortname|John O.|Dahlgren|John Olof Dahlgren}}}} | Marine Corps | E-4|Corporal}} | Beijing, China | {{dts|1900|Jun|20}}}} – {{nowrap|{{dts|1900|Jul|16}}}} | "[For] distinguishing himself by meritorious conduct" |
| {{Sortname|Daniel J.|Daly|Daniel Daly}}}} | Marine Corps | E-1|Private}} | Beijing, China | {{dts|1900|Aug|14}}}} | For distinguishing himself by meritorious conduct. Later awarded a second Medal of Honor for action in Haiti in 1915.[5] |
| —}} | {{nowrap|{{Sortname|Harry|Fisher|Franklin J. Phillips}}}}* | Marine Corps | E-1|Private}} | Beijing, China | {{dts|1900|Jun|20}}}} – {{nowrap|{{dts|1900|Jul|16}}}} | True name: Franklin J. Phillips (enlisted under alias); previously served in the U.S. Army. First US Marine to receive Medal of Honor posthumously. |
| {{Sortname|Alexander J.|Foley}}}} | Marine Corps | E-5|Sergeant}} | Tianjin, China|near Tianjin, China}} | {{dts|1900|Jul|13}}}} | "[For] distinguishing himself by meritorious conduct" |
| {{Sortname|Charles R.|Francis|Charles Robert Francis}}}} | Marine Corps | E-1|Private}} | Tianjin, China|near Tianjin, China}} | {{dts|1900|Jun|21}}}} | "[For] distinguishing himself by meritorious conduct" |
| —}} | {{Sortname|Louis R.|Gaiennie|Louis Rene Gaiennie}}}} | Marine Corps | E-1|Private}} | Beijing, China | {{dts|1900|Jul|21}}}} – {{nowrap|{{dts|1900|Aug|17}}}} | "[For] distinguishing himself by meritorious conduct" |
| —}} | {{Sortname|William F.|Hamberger}}}} | Navy | E-7|Chief Carpenter's Mate}} | China | {{dts|1900|Jun|13}}}} and {{nowrap|{{dts|1900|Jun|20}}}} – {{nowrap|{{dts|1900|Jun|22}}}} | "[For] distinguishing himself by meritorious conduct" |
| —}} | {{Sortname|Burke|Hanford}}}} | Navy | E-6|Machinist First Class}} | China | {{dts|1900|Jun|13}}}} and {{nowrap|{{dts|1900|Jun|20}}}} – {{nowrap|{{dts|1900|Jun|22}}}} | "[D]istinguished himself by meritorious conduct" |
| —}} | {{Sortname|Hans A.|Hansen}}}} | Navy | E-3|Seaman}} | China | {{dts|1900|Jun|13}}}} and {{nowrap|{{dts|1900|Jun|20}}}} – {{nowrap|{{dts|1900|Jun|22}}}} | "[D]istinguished himself by meritorious conduct |
| —}} | {{Sortname|Henry W.|Heisch|Henry William Heisch}}}} | Marine Corps | E-1|Private}} | Tianjin, China | {{dts|1900|Jun|20}}}} | He crossed the river in a small boat while under heavy enemy fire and assisted in destroying buildings occupied by the enemy |
| —}} | {{Sortname|William E.|Holyoke}}}} | Navy | E-6|Boatswain's Mate First Class}} | China | {{dts|1900|Jun|13}}}} and {{nowrap|{{dts|1900|Jun|20}}}} – {{nowrap|{{dts|1900|Jun|22}}}} | "[D]istinguished himself by meritorious conduct" |
| {{Sortname|William C.|Horton|William Charlie Horton}}}} | Marine Corps | E-1|Private}} | Beijing, China | {{dts|1900|Jul|21}}}} – {{nowrap|{{dts|1900|Aug|17}}}} | "[A]assisted in the erection of barricades" |
| —}} | {{Sortname|Martin|Hunt}}}} | Marine Corps | E-1|Private}} | Beijing, China | {{dts|1900|Jun|20}}}} – {{nowrap|{{dts|1900|Jul|16}}}} | "[For] distinguishing himself by meritorious conduct" |
| —}} | {{Sortname|Thomas W.|Kates|Thomas Wilbur Kates}}}} | Marine Corps | E-1|Private}} | Tianjin, China | {{dts|1900|Jun|21}}}} | "[For] distinguishing himself by meritorious conduct" |
| —}} | {{Sortname|Joseph|Killackey}}}} | Navy | E-1|Landsman}} | China | {{dts|1900|Jun|13}}}} and {{nowrap|{{dts|1900|Jun|20}}}} – {{nowrap|{{dts|1900|Jun|22}}}} | "[D]istinguished himself by meritorious conduct" |
| {{Sortname|Louis B.|Lawton|Louis Bowem Lawton}}}} | Army | O-02|First Lieutenant}} | Tianjin, China | {{dts|1900|Jul|13}}}} | Carried a message and guided reinforcements across a wide and fireswept space, during which he was wounded three times |
| —}} | {{Sortname|Clarence E.|Mathias|Clarence Edward Mathias}}}} | Marine Corps | E-1|Private}} | Tianjin, China | {{dts|1900|Jul|13}}}} | "[For] distinguishing himself by meritorious conduct" |
| —}} | {{Sortname|Samuel|McAllister}}}} | Navy | E-2|Ordinary Seaman}} | Tianjin, China | {{dts|1900|Jun|20}}}} | Crossed the river in a small boat and assisted in destroying buildings occupied by the enemy |
| —}} | {{Sortname|John|McCloy|John McCloy (Medal of Honor)}}}} | Navy | E-4|Coxswain}} | China | {{dts|1900|Jun|13}}}} and {{nowrap|{{dts|1900|Jun|20}}}} – {{nowrap|{{dts|1900|Jun|22}}}} | Later awarded a second Medal of Honor for action in Mexico in 1915. |
| —}} | {{Sortname|Joseph|Mitchell|Joseph Mitchell (Medal of Honor)}}}} | Navy | E-6|Gunner's Mate First Class}} | Beijing, China | {{dts|1900|Jul|12}}}} | "[For] distinguishing himself by meritorious conduct" |
| —}} | {{Sortname|Albert|Moore|Albert Moore (Medal of Honor)}}}} | Marine Corps | E-1|Private}} | Beijing, China | {{dts|1900|Jul|21}}}} – {{nowrap|{{dts|1900|Aug|17}}}} | Assisted in the erection of barricades under a heavy fire from the enemy |
| —}} | {{Sortname|John A.|Murphy|John Alphonsus Murphy}}}} | Marine Corps | E-2|Drummer}} | Beijing, China | {{dts|1900|Jul|21}}}} – {{nowrap|{{dts|1900|Aug|17}}}} | "[For] distinguishing himself by meritorious conduct" |
| —}} | {{Sortname|William H.|Murray|dab=Medal of Honor}}}} | Marine Corps | E-1|Private}} | Beijing, China | {{dts|1900|Jul|21}}}} – {{nowrap|{{dts|1900|Aug|17}}}} | "[D]istinguished himself by meritorious conduct" Served under the name of Henry W. Davis. |
| —}} | {{Sortname|Harry W.|Orndoff|Harry Westley Orndoff}}}} | Marine Corps | E-1|Private}} | China | {{dts|1900|Jun|13}}}} and {{nowrap|{{dts|1900|Jun|20}}}} – {{nowrap|{{dts|1900|Jun|22}}}} | "[D]istinguished himself by meritorious conduct" |
| —}} | {{Sortname|Carl E.|Petersen|Carl Emil Petersen}}}} | Navy | E-7|Chief Machinist}} | Beijing, China | {{dts|1900|Jun|28}}}} – {{nowrap|{{dts|1900|Aug|17}}}} | "[D]istinguished himself by meritorious conduct" |
| —}} | {{Sortname|Reuben J.|Phillips|Reuben Jasper Phillips}}}} | Marine Corps | E-4|Corporal}} | China | {{dts|1900|Jun|13}}}} and {{nowrap|{{dts|1900|Jun|20}}}} – {{nowrap|{{dts|1900|Jun|22}}}} | For distinguishing himself by meritorious conduct in the presence of the enemy |
| —}} | {{Sortname|Herbert I.|Preston|Herbert Irving Preston}}}} | Marine Corps | E-1|Private}} | Beijing, China | {{dts|1900|Jul|21}}}} – {{nowrap|{{dts|1900|Aug|17}}}} | "[For] distinguishing himself by meritorious conduct" |
| {{Sortname|George|Rose|George Rose (Medal of Honor)}}}} | Navy | E-3|Seaman}} | Beijing, China | {{dts|1900|Jun|13}}}} and {{nowrap|{{dts|1900|Jun|20}}}} – {{nowrap|{{dts|1900|Jun|22}}}} | For his actions during the China Relief Expedition |
| —}} | {{Sortname|Francis T.|Ryan}}}} | Navy | E-4|Coxswain}} | China | {{dts|1900|Jun|13}}}} and {{nowrap|{{dts|1900|Jun|20}}}} – {{nowrap|{{dts|1900|Jun|22}}}} | "[D]istinguished himself by meritorious conduct" |
| —}} | {{Sortname|David J.|Scannell|David John Scannell}}}} | Marine Corps | E-1|Private}} | Beijing, China | {{dts|1900|Jul|21}}}} – {{nowrap|{{dts|1900|Aug|17}}}} | "[For] distinguishing himself by meritorious conduct" |
| {{Sortname|William|Seach}}}} | Navy | E-2|Ordinary Seaman}} | China | {{dts|1900|Jun|13}}}} and {{nowrap|{{dts|1900|Jun|20}}}} – {{nowrap|{{dts|1900|Jun|22}}}} | Along with six others repulsed an attack by 300 Chinese Imperialist soldiers and Boxer militants with a bayonet charge |
| —}} | {{Sortname|France|Silva}}}} | Marine Corps | E-1|Private}} | Beijing, China | {{dts|1900|Jun|28}}}} – {{nowrap|{{dts|1900|Aug|17}}}} | "[For] distinguishing himself by meritorious conduct" |
| —}} | {{Sortname|Frank E.|Smith|Frank Elmer Smith}}}} | Navy | E-5|Oiler}} | China | {{dts|1900|Jun|13}}}} and {{nowrap|{{dts|1900|Jun|20}}}} – {{nowrap|{{dts|1900|Jun|22}}}} | In the presence of the enemy he distinguished himself by meritorlous conduct |
| —}} | {{Sortname|James|Smith|James A. Smith (Medal of Honor)}}}} | Navy | E-1|Landsman}} | China | {{dts|1900|Jun|13}}}} and {{nowrap|{{dts|1900|Jun|20}}}} – {{nowrap|{{dts|1900|Jun|22}}}} | In the presence of the enemy he distinguished himself by meritorious conduct |
| {{Sortname|Robert H.|Stanley}}}} | Navy | E-2|Hospital Apprentice}} | Beijing, China | {{dts|1900|Jul|12}}}} | Volunteered to carry messages under fire |
| —}} | {{Sortname|Peter|Stewart|dab=Medal of Honor}}}} | Marine Corps | E-7|Gunnery Sergeant}} | China | {{dts|1900|Jun|13}}}} and {{nowrap|{{dts|1900|Jun|20}}}} – {{nowrap|{{dts|1900|Jun|22}}}} | In the presence of the enemy he distinguished himself by meritorious conduct |
| —}} | {{Sortname|Clarence E.|Sutton|Clarence E. Sutton}}}} | Marine Corps | E-5|Sergeant}} | Tianjin, China | {{dts|1900|Jul|13}}}} | Although under heavy fire from the enemy he assisted in carrying a wounded officer from the field of battle |
| —}} | {{Sortname|Karl|Thomas}}}} | Navy | E-4|Coxswain}} | China | {{dts|1900|Jun|13}}}} and {{nowrap|{{dts|1900|Jun|20}}}} – {{nowrap|{{dts|1900|Jun|22}}}} | "[D]distinguished himself by meritorious conduct" |
| —}} | {{Sortname|Calvin P.|Titus|Calvin Pearl Titus}}}} | Army | E-2|Musician}} | Beijing, China | {{dts|1900|Aug|14}}}} | Gallant and daring conduct in the presence of the men of his regiment and was the first to scale the wall of the city. |
| —}} | {{Sortname|Martin T.|Torgerson}}}} | Navy | E-4|Gunner's Mate Third Class}} | China | {{dts|1900|Jun|13}}}} and {{nowrap|{{dts|1900|Jun|20}}}} – {{nowrap|{{dts|1900|Jun|22}}}} | "[D]istinguished himself by meritorious conduct" |
| —}} | {{Sortname|Oscar J.|Upham}}}} | Marine Corps | E-1|Private}} | Beijing, China | {{dts|1900|Jul|21}}}} – {{nowrap|{{dts|1900|Aug|17}}}} | "[A]ssisted in the erection of barricades" |
| —}} | {{Sortname|Robert H.|Von Schlick}}}} | Army | E-1|Private}} | Tianjin, China | {{dts|1900|Jul|13}}}} | "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." |
| —}} | {{Sortname|Edward A.|Walker|Edward Alexander Walker}}}} | Marine Corps | E-5|Sergeant}} | Beijing, China | {{dts|1900|Jun|20}}}} – {{nowrap|{{dts|1900|Jul|16}}}} | "[For] distinguishing himself by meritorious conduct" |
| —}} | {{Sortname|Axel|Westermark}}}} | Navy | E-3|Seaman}} | Beijing, China | {{dts|1900|Jun|28}}}} – {{nowrap|{{dts|1900|Aug|17}}}} | "[For] distinguishing himself by meritorious conduct" |
| —}} | {{Sortname|Jay|Williams|dab=Medal of Honor}}}} | Navy | E-4|Coxswain}} | China | {{dts|1900|Jun|13}}}} and {{nowrap|{{dts|1900|Jun|20}}}} – {{nowrap|{{dts|1900|Jun|22}}}} | Distinguished himself by meritorious conduct while serving with the relief expedition |
| —}} | {{Sortname|Frank A.|Young|Frank Albert Young}}}} | Marine Corps | E-1|Private}} | Beijing, China | {{dts|1900|Jun|20}}}} – {{nowrap|{{dts|1900|Jul|16}}}} | "[For] distinguishing himself by meritorious conduct" |
| —}} | {{Sortname|William|Zion}}}} | Marine Corps | E-1|Private}} | Beijing, China | {{dts|1900|Jul|21}}}} – {{nowrap|{{dts|1900|Aug|17}}}} | "[For] distinguishing himself by meritorious conduct" |
1. ^1 2 {{Cite book|accessdate=February 6, 2010 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=jVESdBSMasMC&printsec=frontcover&dq=The+Origins+of+the+Boxer+Uprising&cd=1#v=onepage&q=Medal%20of%20Honor&f=false |title= The Origins of the Boxer Uprising |author= Esherick, Joseph W. |year=1987 |page=154 |publisher= University of California Press |isbn= 0-520-06459-3}}
2. ^{{Cite web |accessdate=February 9, 2010 |url=http://www.defenselink.mil/faq/pis/med_of_honor.html |work=Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) |title=A Brief History — The Medal of Honor |publisher=Department of Defense |date=August 8, 2006 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/5hYPzrHnl?url=http://www.defenselink.mil/faq/pis/med_of_honor.html |archivedate=June 15, 2009 |df= }}
3. ^{{Cite web |accessdate=June 29, 2009 |url = http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/mohstats.html |title = Medal of Honor recipients |work = Medal of Honor statistics |publisher= United States Army Center of Military History |date = September 29, 2009}}
4. ^{{Cite web |accessdate= February 6, 2010 |url= http://www.tecom.usmc.mil/HD/Whos_Who/Adriance_HC.htm |title= Private Harry Chapman Adriance, USMC, (Deceased) |work= Who's Who in Marine Corps History |publisher= History Division, United States Marine Corps |deadurl= yes |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20110516214009/http://www.tecom.usmc.mil/HD/Whos_Who/Adriance_HC.htm |archivedate= May 16, 2011 |df= }}
5. ^{{Cite web |accessdate=February 6, 2010 |url=http://www.tecom.usmc.mil/HD/Whos_Who/Daly_DJ.htm |title=Sergeant Major Daniel "Dan" Joseph Daly, USMC (Deceased) |work=Who's Who in Marine Corps History |publisher=History Division, United States Marine Corps |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615062440/http://www.tecom.usmc.mil/HD/Whos_Who/Daly_DJ.htm |archivedate=June 15, 2011 |df= }}