16 MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENTS FROM THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR (1898)

HAVE A RESPECTFUL MEMORIAL DAY, EVERYONE! Two years ago I marked the holiday with a look at the U.S. forces who fought in Russia from 1918-1920. Last year I examined American forces during the Boxer conflict. For this Memorial Day let’s look at some Congressional Medal of Honor recipients from the Spanish-American War.

GEORGE CHARRETTE

Branch of Service: Navy

Rank: Gunner’s Mate 3rd Class

Citation: “In connection with the sinking of the U.S.S. Merrimac at the entrance to the harbor of Santiago de Cuba, 2 June 1898. Despite heavy fire from the Spanish batteries, Charrette displayed extraordinary heroism throughout this operation.”

          The Merrimac was being intentionally sunk to try blocking the Spanish ships from being able to come out to fight the U.S. fleet. Charrette was taken prisoner and later exchanged on July 6th, 1898. NOTE: Charrette subsequently served in World War One. 

EDWARD LEE BAKER JR.

Branch of Service: Army

Rank: Sergeant-Major

Citation: “For extraordinary heroism on 1 July 1898, while serving with the 10th U.S. Cavalry, in action at Santiago, Cuba. Sergeant-Major Baker left cover and, under fire, rescued a wounded comrade from drowning.”

NOTE: This African-American had served in the storied Buffalo Soldiers during campaigns against the Native Americans in the west prior to the Spanish-American War. After that conflict, Baker served in the Philippine War (1899-1902) and the subsequent campaigns against the Moros and others. 

GEORGE F. BRADY

Branch of Service: Navy

Rank: Chief Gunner’s Mate

Citation: “On board the torpedo Boat Winslow during the actions at Cardenas, Cuba, 11 May 1898. Conspicuously gallant during this period, Brady, by his energy in assisting to sustain fire, his efforts to repair the steering gear and his promptness in maintaining watertight integrity, was largely instrumental in saving the vessel.”

JAMES R. CHURCH

Branch of Service: Army

Rank: Assistant Surgeon

Citation: “For heroism at Las Guasimas, Cuba, 24 June 1898. In addition to performing gallantly the duties pertaining to his position, voluntarily and unaided carried several seriously wounded men from the firing line to a secure position in the rear, in each instance being subjected to a very heavy fire and great exposure and danger.”

FRANZ A. ITRICH

Branch of Service: Navy

Rank: Chief Carpenter’s Mate

Citation: “On board the U.S.S. Petrel, Manila, Philippine Islands, 1 May 1898. Serving in the presence of the enemy, Itrich displayed heroism during the action.”

JOHN DAVIS

Branch of Service: Navy

Rank: Gunner’s Mate 3rd Class

Citation: “On board the U.S.S. Marblehead, during the operation of cutting the cable leading from Cienfuegos, Cuba, 11 May 1898. Facing the heavy fire of the enemy, Davis set an example of extraordinary bravery and coolness throughout this action.” NOTE: Davis subsequently served in World War One.

WILLIAM A. CROUSE

Branch of Service: Navy

Rank: Watertender

Citation: “On board the U.S.S. Concord off Cavite, Manila Bay, P.I., 21 May 1898. Following the blowing-out of a lower manhole plate joint on boiler B of that vessel, Crouse hauled the fires in the hot, vapor-filled atmosphere, which necessitated the playing of water into the fireroom from a hose.”

JOHN W. HEARD

Branch of Service: Army

Rank: First Lieutenant

Citation: “”For extraordinary heroism on 23 July 1898, while serving with 3d U.S. Cavalry, in action at Bahia Honda, Cuba. After two men had been shot down by Spaniards while transmitting orders to the engine-room on the Wanderer, the ship having become disabled, First Lieutenant Heard took the position held by them and personally transmitted the orders, remaining at his post until the ship was out of danger.” 

NOTE: This West Point graduate subsequently served in the Philippine War (1899-1902) and World War One.

PETER JOHNSON

Branch of Service: Navy

Rank: Fireman First Class

Citation: “On board the U.S.S. Vixen on the night of 28 May 1898. Following the explosion of the lower front manhole gasket of boiler A of the vessel, Johnson displayed great coolness and self-possession in entering the fireroom.”

FITZ LEE

Branch of Service: Army

Rank: Private

Citation: “For heroism at Tayacoba, Cuba 30 June 1898. After a force had succeeded in landing and had been compelled to withdraw to the boats, leaving a number of killed and wounded ashore, he voluntarily went ashore in the face of the enemy and aided in the rescue of his wounded comrades who would otherwise have fallen into the hands of the enemy, this after several previous attempts had been frustrated.”

NOTE: Lee was another of America’s African-American winners of the Congressional Medal of Honor.

ALBERT L. MILLS

Branch of Service: Army

Rank: Captain

Citation: “For bravery at San Juan Hill 1 July 1898. Distinguished gallantry in encouraging those near him by his bravery and coolness after being shot though the head and entirely without sight.” That oddly bland citation actually means that Captain Mills continued commanding his men after temporarily being blinded by gunfire during the battle.  NOTE: This West Point graduate had previously served in campaigns against the Plains Indians.

FREDERICK MULLER

Branch of Service: Navy

Rank: Mate

Citation: “On board the U.S.S. Wompatuck, Manzanillo, Cuba, 30 June 1898. Serving under the fire of the enemy, Muller displayed heroism and gallantry during this period.”

(That “period” being the First Battle of Manzanillo.)

DENNIS BELL

Branch of Service: Army

Rank: Private

Citation: “At Tayacoba, Cuba, 30 June 1898, voluntarily went ashore in the face of the enemy and aided in the rescue of his wounded comrades; this after several previous attempts at rescue had been frustrated.”  NOTE: Bell was another African-American recipient of the Medal of Honor.  

JOHN H. QUICK

Branch of Service: Marine Corps

Rank: Sergeant

Citation: “In action during the battle of Cuzco, Cuba, 14 June 1898. Distinguishing himself during this action, Quick signaled the U.S.S. Dolphin on three different occasions while exposed to a heavy fire from the enemy.” NOTE: Quick went on to serve in the Philippine War (1899-1902), the Vera Cruz campaign and World War One. 

WILLIAM SPICER

Branch of Service: Navy

Rank: Gunner’s Mate 1st Class

Citation: “On board the U.S.S. Marblehead at the approaches to Caimanera, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, 26 and 27 July 1898. Displaying heroism, Spicer took part in the perilous work of sweeping for and disabling 27 contact mines during this period.”

IRA C. WELBORN

Branch of Service: Army

Rank: First Lieutenant

Citation: “At Santiago, Cuba, 2 July 1898, voluntarily left shelter and went, under fire, to the aid of a private of his company who was wounded.”  NOTE: This West Point graduate went on to serve in the Philippine War (1899-1902), the Boxer Rebellion and World War One.

FOR MY LOOK AT MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENTS FROM THE BOXER REBELLION EXPEDITION CLICK HERE.

FOR MY LOOK AT AMERICAN FORCES SERVING IN RUSSIA FROM 1918-1920 CLICK HERE.