Medal of Honor: George Rose - Boxer Rebellion - June 13-22, 1900
During the Boxer Rebellion, American sailors were trapped deep in hostile territory with little hope of reinforcement. For ten days, one seaman fought in the front ranks and risked his life to bring medical supplies through enemy lines.
June 10, 2026
Name: George Rose
Rank: Seaman
Branch: U.S. Navy
War: Boxer Rebellion
Unit: Landing Force from USS Newark
Date of Action: June 13-22, 1900
Location: Peking, Tientsin, and Siku Arsenal, China
Summary of Action
During the Boxer Rebellion in June 1900, Seaman George Rose distinguished himself through repeated acts of courage while serving with the landing force from USS Newark in northern China.
After coming ashore near Taku, he joined a small detachment operating in support of Allied forces attempting to relieve besieged foreign nationals and diplomats trapped around Peking.
Even before the heaviest fighting began, Rose volunteered for hazardous missions. On 31 May, he was among a six-man party led by future Medal of Honor recipient John McCloy that transported vital ammunition from USS Newark to Tientsin. Days later, on 10 June, he participated in a dangerous nighttime mission carrying dispatches between LaFa and Yongstsum through territory threatened by hostile forces.
When large-scale fighting erupted on 13 June, Rose helped defend the main baggage train against an overwhelming enemy attack. Despite being heavily outnumbered, the small American force successfully repelled the assault and prevented the destruction of critical supplies.
Over the next two days, as American and Allied troops engaged units of the Imperial Chinese Army, Rose consistently fought in the foremost ranks of the action, exposing himself to intense enemy fire while helping hold the line.
On 22 June, during the assault that captured the strategically important Siku Arsenal, he again displayed exceptional bravery.
Learning that urgently needed medical supplies were located in a nearby village still occupied by enemy forces, Rose volunteered for the dangerous mission to retrieve them. Entering hostile territory, his party successfully secured the supplies and returned with them using newly captured prisoners to carry the much-needed medical stores back to friendly lines.
Throughout the campaign, George Rose repeatedly accepted the most dangerous assignments, demonstrating courage, initiative, and devotion to duty that reflected the highest traditions of the United States Navy.
Medal of Honor Citation
ROSE, GEORGE
Rank and organization: Seaman, U.S. Navy.
Born: 28 February 1880, Stamford, Conn.
Accredited to: Connecticut.
G.O. No.: 55, 19 July 1901.
Citation:
In the presence of the enemy during the battles at Peking, China, 13, 20, 21 and 22 June 1900, Rose distinguished himself by meritorious conduct. While stationed as a crewmember of the USS Newark, he was part of its landing force that went ashore off Taku, China. On 31 May 1900, he was in a party of six under John McCloy which took ammunition from the Newark to Tientsin. On 10 June 1900, he was one of a party that carried dispatches from LaFa to Yongstsum at night. On the 13th he was one of a few who fought off a large force of the enemy, saving the main baggage train from destruction. On the 20th and 21st he was engaged in heavy fighting against the Imperial Army, being always in the first rank. On the 22d he showed gallantry in the capture of the Siku Arsenal. He volunteered to go to the nearby village, which was occupied by the enemy, to secure medical supplies urgently required. The party brought back the supplies carried by newly taken prisoners.
