China Relief Expedition
Medal of Honor Recipients from Wisconsin during the China Relief Expedition (Boxer Rebellion)
Read here of the deeds of these brave heroes and do not forget them!
The names which are preceded by an asterisk denote posthumous awards.
This table lists the recipients by date, they are listed alphabetically below.
Private Young, Frank Albert
Born Milwaukee, Wisconsin
U.S. Marine Corps
Awarded for action near Pehng, China
Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Marine Corps.
Accredited to: Wisconsin.
Birth: 22 June 1876, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
G.O. No.: 55, 19 July 1901.
Citation: “In the presence of the enemy during the battle of Pehng, China, 20 June to 16 July 1900. Throughout this period, Young distinguished himself by meritorious conduct.” Citation from U.S. Army Center of Military History.
Death: 3 April 1941, Mare Island, California.
PVT Young was one of 112 Sailors and Marines from the USS Newark that participated in the Seymour Expedition from 10-26 Jun. 1900. This 2,000 strong British led multi-national force was the first attempt to get to Peking to protect and evacuate thousands of foreigners trapped there. Unfortunately they were opposed by about 15,000 Chinese and were forced to turn back.
PVT Young was also part of a larger multi-national force (including several hundred US Soldiers and Marines) that set out toward Peking again in early July. This force captured Tientsin on 13 July, which was used as a base to assemble an allied force of 20,000 troops (including 2,500 US) for the continued push to Peking. They set out on 4 Aug., reached the outer walls on 14 Aug., and had full-control of the Chinese capital on 15 Aug.
PVT Young was a career Marine, attaining the rank of SGM. He died on 3 Apr. 1941 and is interred at Arlington.
Major Whittlesey, Charles W.
Born Portage, Wisconsin; Appointed from Wisconsin
U.S. Navy
Awarded for action near Vera Cruz, Mexico
Rank and organization: Lieutenant, U.S. Navy.
Place and date: Vera Cruz, Mexico, 21 and 22 April 1914.
Appointed from: Wisconsin.
Birth: 8 February 1880, Portage, Wisconsin.
G.O. No.: 177, 4 December 1915.
Citation: “For distinguished conduct in battle, engagements of Vera Cruz, 21 and 22 April 1914. Eminent and conspicuous in command of his battalion, Lt. Castle was in the fighting of both days, and exhibited courage and skill in leading his men through action. In seizing the customhouse, he encountered for many hours the heaviest and most pernicious concealed fire of the entire day, but his courage and coolness under trying conditions were marked.” Citation from U.S. Army Center of Military History.
Death: 10 August 1919, aboard U.S.S. Martha Washington in the harbor at Brest, France.