Calvin Pearl Titus – Medal of Honor, Boxer Rebellion (1900)

Musician Calvin Pearl Titus, a soldier in the U.S. Army, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on August 14, 1900 in Peking, China during the Boxer Rebellion. At the time he was serving with Company E, 14th U.S. Infantry. Titus was 20 years old.

One other service member also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on March 11, 1902. He later rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Titus was born on September 22, 1879 in Vinton, Benton County, Iowa. His Medal of Honor is credited to Iowa. Titus died on May 27, 1966 in San Fernando, California, at the age of 86. He is buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood, California. His medal is held by West Point Museum (1896 design), West Point, NY ; National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution (1904 design), Washington, DC.

Titus is one of 59 Medal of Honor recipients from the Boxer Rebellion and one of 55 credited to Iowa.

Official Medal of Honor citation

Gallant and daring conduct in the presence of his colonel and other officers and enlisted men of his regiment; was first to scale the wall of the city.

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

Battles and campaigns

Also served in: Philippine–American War.

Life beyond the battlefield

Education: United States Military Academy

Source: Wikidata.

Places

Born: Vinton — map
Died: Sylmar — map
Buried: Forest Lawn Memorial Park — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Iowa →

Timeline

September 22, 1879
Born in Vinton, Benton County, Iowa
August 14, 1900
Act of valor — Peking, China
Age 20. Company E, 14th U.S. Infantry
March 11, 1902
Medal of Honor presented
May 27, 1966
Died in San Fernando, California
Age 86.
Resting place
Forest Lawn Memorial Park
Hollywood, California

Biography

Calvin Pearl Titus (September 22, 1879 – May 27, 1966) was a soldier of the United States Army and the last American standard-bearer. He received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Peking of the Boxer Rebellion. He is known for saying "I'll try, Sir!" before scaling the walls of Peking.

From the Wikipedia article “Calvin Pearl Titus”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

Also honored for actions on August 14, 1900

Daniel Joseph Daly Private · Marine Corps Boxer Rebellion · 1900

Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Wikidata and Wikipedia. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.