Name George Rose Awards Medal of Honor Service/branch United States Navy | Role Medal of Honor Battles and wars World War I Rank Lieutenant commander | |
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Born February 28, 1880
Stamford, Connecticut ( 1880-02-28 ) Allegiance United States of America Battles/wars China Relief Expedition
World War I Died December 7, 1932, Newark, New Jersey, United States Place of burial Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, United States | ||
George Harry Rose (February 28, 1880 – December 7, 1932) was a member of the United States Navy and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions during the China Relief Expedition.
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Biography
Rose enlisted in the Navy from his birth state of Connecticut and served on the cruiser USS Newark (C-1) as a Seaman. During the China Relief Expedition of 1900, Newark, serving as flagship for the Assistant Commander of the Asiatic Station, was brought to the Peking area to protect Americans who were under threat from the Boxer Rebellion. Rose voluntarily took part in land operations there in May and June 1900, distinguishing himself on several occasions, among them carrying dispatches on June 10, helping to fight off an attack on his unit's baggage train on the 13th, engaging in combat from June 20, to June 22, and obtaining medical supplies from an enemy-held village. For his "meritorious conduct" on 13, 20, 21 and June 22, he was awarded the Medal of Honor.
Rose received a commission as an Ensign in the Naval Reserve in 1917. He served in the Third Naval District (New York City region) during World War I and was promoted to Lieutenant (Junior Grade) in mid-1918. On July 15, 1929 he became a Lieutenant Commander in the Merchant Marine Naval Reserve. Rose died at age 52 and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington County, Virginia.
Medal of Honor citation
Seaman Rose's official Medal of Honor citation reads:
In the presence of the enemy during the battles at Peking, China, 13, 20, 21 and 22 June 1900. Throughout this period, Rose distinguished himself by meritorious conduct. While stationed as a crewmember of the U.S.S. Newark, he was part of its landing force that went ashore off Taku, China. on 31 May 1900, he was in a party of 6 under John McCloy (MH) 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.