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Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

Seaman · U.S. Navy

Bolden Reush Harrison

Seaman Bolden Reush Harrison, Navy, received the Medal of Honor for actions on September 24, 1911 near the village of Mundang, Basilan Island, Philippine Islands during the 1911 actions against outlaws in the Philippines.

Action Against Outlaws, Philippines 1911 September 24, 1911

Seaman Bolden Reush Harrison was a sailor in the U.S. Navy who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on September 24, 1911 near the village of Mundang, Basilan Island, Philippine Islands during the 1911 actions against outlaws in the Philippines. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Pampanga. Harrison was 25 years old.

5 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on January 1912.

Harrison was born on April 26, 1886 in Savannah, Hardin County, Tennessee. His Medal of Honor is credited to Tennessee. Harrison died on January 26, 1952 in Savannah, Tennessee, at the age of 65. He is buried at Savannah Cemetery in Savannah, Tennessee.

Harrison is one of 6 Medal of Honor recipients from the 1911 actions against outlaws in the Philippines and one of 33 credited to Tennessee.

Official Medal of Honor citation

While attached to the U.S.S. Pampang, Harrison was one of a shore party moving in to capture Mundang, on the island of Basilan, P.I., 24 September 1911. Harrison instantly responded to the calls for help when the advance scout party investigating a group of nipa huts close to the trail was suddenly taken under point-blank fire and rushed by approximately 20 enemy Moros attacking from inside the huts and from other concealed positions. Armed with a double-barreled shotgun, he concentrated his blasting fire on the outlaws, destroying three of the Moros and assisting in the rout of the remainder. By his aggressive charging of the enemy under heavy fire and in the face of great odds, Harrison contributed materially to the success of the engagement.

Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.

Timeline

  1. April 26, 1886
    Born in Savannah, Hardin County, Tennessee
  2. September 24, 1911
    Act of valor — near the village of Mundang, Basilan Island, Philippine Islands
    Age 25. U.S.S. Pampanga
  3. January 1912
    Medal of Honor presented
  4. January 26, 1952
    Died in Savannah, Tennessee
    Age 65.
  5. Resting place
    Savannah Cemetery
    Savannah, Tennessee

Further reading

Also honored for actions on September 24, 1911

JC John Hugh Catherwood Ordinary Seaman · Navy Philippines 1911 · 1911 GH George Francis Henrechon Machinist's Mate Second Class · Navy Philippines 1911 · 1911 Fred Henry McGuire Hospital Apprentice · Navy Philippines 1911 · 1911 JN Jose B. Nisperos Private · Army Philippines 1911 · 1911 JV Jacob Volz Carpenter's Mate Third Class · Navy Philippines 1911 · 1911

Same unit

JF Joseph Fitz Ordinary Seaman · Navy Philippine Insurrection · 1906 AF Andrew Peter Forbeck Seaman · Navy Philippine Insurrection · 1900 WT William George Thordsen Coxswain · Navy Philippine Insurrection · 1900
Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.