Harry Fisher (Medal of Honor)
Encyclopedia
Franklin J. Phillips also known as Harry Fisher, was a soldier and Marine, and after serving in the United States Marine Corps
as a private
, he posthumously received the Medal of Honor
for actions during the Boxer Rebellion
. Private Phillips was the first Marine whose Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously. Phillips is interred in Versailles Cemetery, McKeesport.
. Accredited to: Pennsylvania
. G. O. No.: 55, July 19, 1901.
Citation:
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
For service as set forth in the following
CITATION:
(signed) William McKinley
, United States Army
and had deserted
after being refused sick leave
for malaria
contracted during the Spanish-American War
. He attempted to return to duty after his recovery and petitioned the adjutant general
, who acted under orders of the Assistant Secretary of War and "discharged
Private Phillips without honor from the service of the United States for desertion". Phillips enlisted in the Marine Corps, two months later under the name "Harry Fisher" and served honorably until his death.
After Phillips' death, his mother, Mrs. W.C. Means wrote Brigadier General
Charles Heywood
, Commandant of the Marine Corps
to request that her son's name be changed to Franklin J. Phillips and on May 11, 1901, General Heywood refused this request on the grounds that "no change can be made in a man's record after his death" and Mrs. Means accepted the Medal on behalf of Harry Fisher on August 15, 1901. In 1988, under the orders of Commandant General Alfred M. Gray, Jr.
, the references to Harry Fisher were redacted and Franklin J. Phillips replaced "Harry Fisher" in all official records.
and in 1988 was duly renamed the MV Private Franklin J. Phillips.
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
as a private
Private (rank)
A Private is a soldier of the lowest military rank .In modern military parlance, 'Private' is shortened to 'Pte' in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries and to 'Pvt.' in the United States.Notably both Sir Fitzroy MacLean and Enoch Powell are examples of, rare, rapid career...
, he posthumously received the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
for actions during the Boxer Rebellion
Boxer Rebellion
The Boxer Rebellion, also called the Boxer Uprising by some historians or the Righteous Harmony Society Movement in northern China, was a proto-nationalist movement by the "Righteous Harmony Society" , or "Righteous Fists of Harmony" or "Society of Righteous and Harmonious Fists" , in China between...
. Private Phillips was the first Marine whose Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously. Phillips is interred in Versailles Cemetery, McKeesport.
Original Citation
Rank and Organization: Private, U.S. Marine Corps. Born: October 20, 1874, McKeesport, PaMcKeesport, Pennsylvania
McKeesport is a city in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, in the United States; it is located at the confluence of the Monongahela and Youghiogheny rivers and is part of the Pittsburgh Metro Area. The population was 19,731 at the 2010 census...
. Accredited to: Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. G. O. No.: 55, July 19, 1901.
Citation:
Served in the presence of the enemy at the battle of Peking, China, 20 June to 16 July 1900. Assisting in the erection of barricades during the action, Fisher was killed by the heavy fire of the enemy.
Later Citation
PRIVATE FRANKLIN J. PHILLIPSUNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
For service as set forth in the following
CITATION:
- For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty from 20 June 1900 to 16 July 1900. Private Phillips served in the presence of the enemy at the Battle of PekingBattle of PekingThe Battle of Peking, or the Relief of Peking, was the battle on 14–15 August 1900 in which a multi-national force relieved the siege of foreign legations in Peking during the Boxer Rebellion...
, China. Assisting in the erection of barricades during the action, he was killed by the heavy enemy fire. By his courageous actions, indomitable spirit, and complete dedication to duty, Private Phillips reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
(signed) William McKinley
William McKinley
William McKinley, Jr. was the 25th President of the United States . He is best known for winning fiercely fought elections, while supporting the gold standard and high tariffs; he succeeded in forging a Republican coalition that for the most part dominated national politics until the 1930s...
Prior service and controversy
After the posthumous award of the Medal of Honor, it was discovered that Private Fisher had previously served in the U.S. 1st Infantry DivisionU.S. 1st Infantry Division
The 1st Infantry Division of the United States Army is the oldest division in the United States Army. It has seen continuous service since its organization in 1917...
, United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
and had deserted
Desertion
In military terminology, desertion is the abandonment of a "duty" or post without permission and is done with the intention of not returning...
after being refused sick leave
Sick leave
Sick leave is time off from work that workers can use during periods of temporary illness to stay home and address their health and safety needs without losing pay. Some workplaces offer paid sick time as a matter of workplace policy, and in few jurisdictions it is codified into law...
for malaria
Malaria
Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease of humans and other animals caused by eukaryotic protists of the genus Plasmodium. The disease results from the multiplication of Plasmodium parasites within red blood cells, causing symptoms that typically include fever and headache, in severe cases...
contracted during the Spanish-American War
Spanish-American War
The Spanish–American War was a conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States, effectively the result of American intervention in the ongoing Cuban War of Independence...
. He attempted to return to duty after his recovery and petitioned the adjutant general
Adjutant general
An Adjutant General is a military chief administrative officer.-Imperial Russia:In Imperial Russia, the General-Adjutant was a Court officer, who was usually an army general. He served as a personal aide to the Tsar and hence was a member of the H. I. M. Retinue...
, who acted under orders of the Assistant Secretary of War and "discharged
Military discharge
A military discharge is given when a member of the armed forces is released from their obligation to serve.-United States:Discharge or separation should not be confused with retirement; career U.S...
Private Phillips without honor from the service of the United States for desertion". Phillips enlisted in the Marine Corps, two months later under the name "Harry Fisher" and served honorably until his death.
After Phillips' death, his mother, Mrs. W.C. Means wrote Brigadier General
Brigadier general (United States)
A brigadier general in the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, is a one-star general officer, with the pay grade of O-7. Brigadier general ranks above a colonel and below major general. Brigadier general is equivalent to the rank of rear admiral in the other uniformed...
Charles Heywood
Charles Heywood
Major General Charles Heywood was the ninth Commandant of the Marine Corps. He served as an officer for over 45 years and was the first Marine to reach the rank of major general...
, Commandant of the Marine Corps
Commandant of the Marine Corps
The Commandant of the Marine Corps is normally the highest ranking officer in the United States Marine Corps and is a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff...
to request that her son's name be changed to Franklin J. Phillips and on May 11, 1901, General Heywood refused this request on the grounds that "no change can be made in a man's record after his death" and Mrs. Means accepted the Medal on behalf of Harry Fisher on August 15, 1901. In 1988, under the orders of Commandant General Alfred M. Gray, Jr.
Alfred M. Gray, Jr.
Alfred M. Gray, Jr. , is a retired United States Marine Corps general who served as the twenty-ninth Commandant of the Marine Corps from 1987-91. He retired from the Corps in 1991 after 41 years of service.-Personal:Alfred M. Gray, Jr...
, the references to Harry Fisher were redacted and Franklin J. Phillips replaced "Harry Fisher" in all official records.
Namesake vessel
In 1985 the MV Private Harry Fisher was commissioned under Military Sealift CommandMilitary Sealift Command
The Military Sealift Command is a United States Navy organization that controls most of the replenishment and military transport ships of the Navy. It first came into existence on 9 July 1949 when the Military Sea Transportation Service became solely responsible for the Department of Defense's...
and in 1988 was duly renamed the MV Private Franklin J. Phillips.