302 Awards Compiled & Edited By C. Douglas Sterner

Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps

1st Regiment (Marines), 1st Marine Brigade,

Date of Action: November 17, 1901

Citation:

The Medal of Honor is presented to Hiram Iddings Bearss, Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving with the 1st Regiment (Marines), 1st Marine Brigade, in action at the junction of the Cadacan and Sohoton Rivers, Samar, Philippine Islands, 17 November 1901. Colonel Bearss (then Captain), second in command of the columns upon their uniting ashore in the Sohoton River region, made a surprise attack on the fortified cliffs and completely routed the enemy, killing 30 and capturing and destroying the powder magazine, 40 lantacas (guns), rice, food and cuartels. Due to his courage, intelligence, discrimination and zeal, he successfully led his men up the cliffs by means of bamboo ladders to a height of 200 feet. The cliffs were of soft stone of volcanic origin, in the nature of pumice, and were honeycombed with caves. Tons of rocks were suspended in platforms held in position by vine cables (known as bejuco) in readiness to be precipitated upon people below. After driving the insurgents from their position which was almost impregnable, being covered with numerous trails lined with poison spears, pits, etc., he led his men across the river, scaled the cliffs on the opposite side, and destroyed the camps there. Colonel Bearss and the men under his command overcame incredible difficulties and dangers in destroying positions which, according to reports from old prisoners, had taken three years to perfect, were held as a final rallying point, and were never before penetrated by white troops. Colonel Bearss also rendered distinguished public service in the presence of the enemy at Quinapundan River, Samar, Philippine Islands, on 19 January 1902.

Born: 4/13/1875 at Peru, Indiana

Home Town: Peru, Indiana

Buckley, Howard Major

Private, U.S. Marine Corps

8th Army Corps (Attached)

Date of Action: March 25, 27 & 29 & April 04, 1899

Citation:

The Medal of Honor is presented to Howard Major Buckley, Private, U.S. Marine Corps, for distinguished conduct in the presence of the enemy in battle while with the Eighth Army Corps on 25, 27, 29 March, and 4 April 1899.

• 
  General Orders 55, July 19, 1901
  

Home Town: New York, New York

Hiram Bearss was known as "Hiking Hiram" because of his long-range reconnaissance missions behind enemy lines. The World War I action that earned him the Distinguished Service Cross also cause him a back injury that led to his retirement as a Colonel in 1918.

Harvey, Harry

Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps

Date of Action: February 16, 1900

Citation:

The Medal of Honor is presented to Harry Harvey, Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism in action in battle against the enemy at Binictican, 16 February 1900. Throughout this action and in the presence of the enemy, Sergeant Harvey distinguished himself by meritorious conduct.

• 
  General Orders 55, July 19, 1901
  

Home Town: New Jersey

Leonard, Joseph H. aka: Joseph Melvin

Private, U.S. Marine Corps

8th Army Corps (Attached)

Date of Action: March 25, 27 & 29 & April 04, 1899

Citation:

The Medal of Honor is presented to Joseph H. Leonard, Private, U.S. Marine Corps, for distinguished conduct in the presence of the enemy in battles, while with the Eighth Army Corps on 25, 27, and 29 March, and on 4 April 1899. (Private Leonard enlisted and served under the name Joseph Melvin)

• 
  General Orders 55, July 19, 1901
  

Home Town: New York, New York

Porter, David Dixon

Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps

1st Regiment (Marines), 1st Marine Brigade,

Date of Action: November 17, 1901

Citation:

The Medal of Honor is presented to David Dixon Porter, Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and eminent and conspicuous conduct in battle while serving with the 1st Regiment (Marines), 1st Marine Brigade, in action at the junction of the Cadacan and Sohoton Rivers, Samar, Philippine Islands, 17 November 1901. In command of the columns upon their uniting ashore in the Sohoton Region, Colonel Porter (then Captain ) made a surprise attack on the fortified cliffs and completely routed the enemy, killing 30 and capturing and destroying the powder magazine, 40 lantacas (guns), rice, food and cuartels. Due to his courage, intelligence, discrimination and zeal, he successfully led his men up the cliffs by means of bamboo ladders to a height of 200 feet. The cliffs were of soft stone of volcanic origin, in the nature of pumice and were honeycombed with caves. Tons of rocks were suspended in platforms held in position by vines and cables (known as bejuco) in readiness to be precipitated upon people below. After driving the insurgents from their position which was almost impregnable, being covered with numerous trails lined with poisoned spears, pits, etc., Colonel Porter led his men across the river, scaled the cliffs on the opposite side, and destroyed the camps there. He and the men under his command overcame incredible difficulties and dangers in destroying positions which, according to reports from old prisoners, had taken three years to perfect, were held as a final rallying post, and were never before penetrated by white troops. Colonel Porter also rendered distinguished public service in the presence of the enemy at Quinapundan River, Samar, Philippine Islands, on 26 October 1901.

Born: 4/29/1877 at Washington, Washington, D.C.

Home Town: Washington, D.C.

David Porter came from a well-known and highly regarded family with a six-generation history of military service. His great-grandfather was Navy Commodore David Porter of the Barbary War and the War of 1812. His grandfather, David Dixon Porter, was a Naval hero of the Civil War and Superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy. His father was a Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel.

Prendergast, Thomas Francis

Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps

8th Army Corps (Attached)

Date of Action: March 25, 27 & 29 & April 05, 1899

Citation:

The Medal of Honor is presented to Thomas Francis Prendergast, Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, for distinguished conduct in the presence of the enemy in battle while with the Eighth Army Corps, 25, 27, 29 March, and 5 April 1899.

• 
  General Orders 55, July 19, 1901
  

Home Town: Massachusetts