France Silva

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France Silva
May 9, 1876(1876-05-09) – April 10, 1951 (aged 74)
  
Place of birth Hayward, California
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Marine Corps
Rank Private
Unit USS Newark
Battles/wars Boxer Rebellion
Awards Medal of Honor
Purple Heart

Private France Silva (May 9, 1876–April 10, 1951) born in Hayward, California, was the first Marine of Mexican-American and Hispanic heritage to receive the Medal of Honor. He received the Medal of Honor for his meritorious conduct in China during the Boxer Rebellion.[1]

Contents

[edit] Medal of Honor action

In 1900, Private France Silva was a member of the Legation Guards (Marines) under the command of Captain Newt Hall, aboard the USS Newark. The USS Newark was a United States Navy protected cruiser, the first modern cruiser in the U.S. fleet. On May 20, 1900, the Newark sailed for China to help land allied troops to assist civilians within the legations which came under siege by the Boxers at Peking. Arriving Tientsin on May 22.[2]

Silva joined the Marine Corps on September 12, 1899, in San Francisco and attended Boot Camp at Mare Island. He was assigned to the U.S. Flag Ship Newark where Pvt. Daniel Joseph Daly (future double Medal of Honor recipient) was already a member. The Newark soon headed to the Philippenes, but were then sent to Japan to prepare for a landing at Taku, Tientsen and Peking. They arrived in Peking on May 31 before the Boxeres closed the city off from the world.

As Captains John T. Meyers and Newt Hall, USMC, - under the command of Captain Bowman McCalla, USN, in the lead position of the allies, the all Europen Brass Band played, "It'll be a hot time in the old town tonight." They had their last really good meal for a couple of months but also immediately posted guard. Captain Meyers had given the command, "Fix, Bayonets," just before their approach. Edwin Conger, the lead U.S. Diplomat (and former Army officer) said to Meyers, "Thank God you are here. Now we are safe."

On June 19, 1900, the 1st Regiment (Marines) udder Major Littleton Waller, USMC, attempted to take the city of Tientsin and failed. Then on June 23, the Regiment, under the command of Major Waller, was able to enter Tientsin in their second attempt and force the Chinese forces to retreat to Peking. Private France Silva and two sailors, Navy Seamen Axel Westermark and Chief Machinist Emil Peterson earned the Medal of Honor in their defense of the civilian compound (legation) at Peking. They defended the walled city from June 28 until the fall of the city which occurred on August 17.[3]

In accordance to a newspaper article:

"The USS Newark placed ashore a contingent of Marine and three bluejackets (sailors) as a legitation guard. These men with another detachment of Marines, soldiers and sailors joined the troops of other western soldiers in the defense of other Peking legations against the Boxers until the arrival of the Allied Army in August."[4]

The USS Newark
The USS Newark

According to the Journal of Pvt. Oscar J. Upham, USMC, (Upham called his journal the "Siege of Peking") on July 1st "Pvt. Silva of the Newark guard (detachment) volunteered to go and assist them (others on the Tartar Wall) and was hit in the arm making a very bad wound." Several others had been seriously wounded and some killed during this skirmish. According to documents in the National Archives and Records Administration the bullet entered Pvt. Silva's left elbow and bounced off his sternum. He was medically discharged in January 1901 at Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo, CA. On December 31, 1901, he was awarded the Medal of Honor, also at Mare Island (Medal of Honor Society).

Pvt. Silva's immediate Commanding Officer was Capt. Newt Hall. Hall was under the command of Capt. John T. Myers. Myer's and his detachment were on the USS Oregon (Upham Journal).

[edit] Medal of Honor citation

SILVA, FRANCE

Private, U.S. Marine Corps
July 19, 1901

G.O. Navy Department, No.55
In the presence of the enemy during the action at Peking, China, 28 June to 17 August 1900. Throughout this period, Silva distinguished himself by meritorious conduct.[5]

[edit] Postscript

France Silva died on April 10, 1951 and is buried in Sunset Hill Cemetery in Corning, California.[6]

[edit] Awards and Recognitions

Among France Silva's decorations and medals were the following:

Medal of Honor
Purple Heart Medal
China Campaign Medal

[edit] See also

United States Marine Corps Portal

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Hispanics in the Military
  2. ^ USS Newark (C-1). Naval Historical Center, Department of the Navy.
  3. ^ France Silva. Home of Heroes.com.
  4. ^ NETA
  5. ^ Pvt. Oscar Upham, USMC, wrote a diary as events occurred. He witnessed Silva being shot on July 1, 1900, on the Tarter Wall, while trying to reconstruct the barricade that would keep the enemy out.Medal of Honor citation
  6. ^ Gravesite of MOH Recipient France Silva. HomeOfHeroes.com. Retrieved on 2006-07-12.

[edit] References

"Siege of Peking" (Journal of Pvt. Oscar J. Upham, USMC.), Marine Corps Historical Center, Washington, D. C. National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D. C. Medal of Honor Society.

[edit] External links