John A. Huntsman was a 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...

 sergeant who 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 action in 1899 during the Philippine-American War

Philippine-American War

The Philippine–American War, also known as the Philippine War of Independence or the Philippine Insurrection , was an armed conflict between a group of Filipino revolutionaries and the United States which arose from the struggle of the First Philippine Republic to gain independence following...

.

Biography

Huntsman spent part of his childhood farming in Oskaloosa, Iowa

Oskaloosa, Iowa

Oskaloosa is the county seat of Mahaska County, Iowa, United States. The population was 11,463 in the 2010 census, an increase from 10,938 in the 2000 census. -History:...

. He enlisted in the Kansas

Kansas

Kansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...

’ National Guard

Army National Guard

Established under Title 10 and Title 32 of the U.S. Code, the Army National Guard is part of the National Guard and is divided up into subordinate units stationed in each of the 50 states, three territories and the District of Columbia operating under their respective governors...

 in April 1898. He arrived in Manila

Manila

Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...

 during November 1898, serving with the 20th Kansas Volunteer Infantry, which took part in the initial hostilities between Aguinaldo and the U.S. in February 1899.

From April to June 1899, Huntsman served with Major J. Franklin Bell’s scouts. Bell, of the 2nd Division, was an engineer but often served as the unit’s chief scout. After the unit was relieved from active duty in June, Huntsman joined the 36th Infantry, U.S. Volunteers. The Army had offered a $500 bonus to those re-enlisting from state regiments, and the 36th consisted primarily of those recruited in the Philippines. He reached the rank of lieutenant before leaving the military.

Huntsman remained in the Philippines as a construction superintendent. Huntsman died from cholera

Cholera

Cholera is an infection of the small intestine that is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. The main symptoms are profuse watery diarrhea and vomiting. Transmission occurs primarily by drinking or eating water or food that has been contaminated by the diarrhea of an infected person or the feces...

on July 10, 1902.

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Sergeant, Company E, 36th Infantry, U.S. Volunteers. Place and date: At Bamban, Luzon, Philippine Islands, November 9, 1899. Entered service at: Lawrence, Kans. Birth: Oskaloosa County, Iowa. Date of issue: May 1889.

Citation:

For distinguished bravery and conspicuous gallantry in action against insurgents.