Hiram I. Bearss

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Hiram Iddings Bearss
April 13, 1875(1875-04-13) – August 28, 1938 (aged 63)
  
Medal of Honor recipient Hiram I. Bearss
Nickname "Hiking Hiram"
Place of birth Peru, Indiana
Allegiance Flag of the United States
Service/branch United States Marine Corps
Years of service 1898-1919
Rank Colonel (advanced to Brigadier General in 1936)
Commands held 102nd Infantry
51st Brigade
3rd Provisional Regiment, 2nd Provisional Brigade, 3rd Marines
57th Infantry Brigade
Battles/wars Philippine-American War
World War I
Battle of Belleau Wood
Battle of Saint-Mihiel
Awards Medal of Honor (1901)
Distinguished Service Cross (1918)
Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Croix de Guerre

Hiram Iddings Bearss (13 April 1875 – August 28, 1938) was an officer of the United States Marine Corps who was awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism during the Philippine-American War and the Distinguished Service Cross for his valor in World War I.

Contents

[edit] Biography

Bearss was born 13 April 1875 in Peru, Indiana, and attended Norwich University, where he received a degree before entering the service.

During World War I, Bearss served in France with the 4th Marine Brigade, and commanded the 102nd Infantry at Marcheville in 1918, for which he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.

Bearss died in 1938 in an automobile collision.

[edit] Namesake

In 1943, the destroyer USS Bearss (DD-654) was named in his honor.

[edit] Medal of Honor citation

The President of the United States takes pleasure in the name of The Congress in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to

COLONEL HIRAM I. BEARSS UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

for service in Samar, P. I., as set forth in the following CITATION:

For extraordinary heroism and eminent and conspicuous conduct in battle at the junction of the Cadacan and Sohoton Rivers, Samar, P. I., November 17, 1901. Colonel Bearss, then Captain, second in command of the column upon their uniting ashore in the Sohoton region, made a surprise attack on the fortified cliffs and capturing and destroying a powder magazine, 40 lantacas (guns), rice, food and cuartels. Due to his courage, intelligence, discrimination and zeal, he successfully led his men up the cliffs [by] means of bamboo ladders to a height of 200 feet. The cliffs were of soft stone of volcanic origin, in the nature of pumice and were honeycombed with caves. Tons of rocks were suspended in platforms held in position by vine cables (known as bejuco) in readiness to be precipitated upon people below. After driving the insurgents from their position which was almost impregnable, being covered with numerous trails lined with poisoned spears, pits, etc., he led his men across the river, scaled the cliffs on the opposite side, and destroyed the camps there. He and the men under his command overcame incredible difficulties and dangers in destroying positions which according to reports from old prisoners, had taken three years to perfect, were held as a final rallying point, and were never before penetrated by white troops. Captain Bearss also rendered distinguished public service in the presence of the enemy at Quinapundan River, Samar, P. I., on January 19, 1902.

/S/ H. J. ROOSEVELT

[edit] See also

United States Marine Corps Portal

[edit] References

This article incorporates text in the public domain from the United States Marine Corps.

[edit] Further reading

  • Clark, George C. His Road to Glory: The Life and Times of "Hiking Hiram" Bearss, Hoosier Marine, 2003