Serving as a Marine in the U.S. Marine Corps, Private Erwin Jay Boydston received the Medal of Honor for his actions between July 21 and August 17, 1900 in Peking, China during the Boxer Rebellion. Boydston was 25 years old.
12 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day.
Boydston was born on April 22, 1875 in Deer Creek, Colorado. His Medal of Honor is credited to California. Boydston died on May 19, 1959 in Honolulu, Hawaii, at the age of 84. He is buried at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Boydston is one of 59 Medal of Honor recipients from the Boxer Rebellion and one of 142 credited to California.
Official Medal of Honor citation
In the presence of the enemy at Peking, China, 21 July to 17 August 1900. Under a heavy fire from the enemy during this period, Boydston assisted in the erection of barricades.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Timeline
- April 22, 1875Born in Deer Creek, Colorado
- July 21 - August 17, 1900Act of valor — Peking, ChinaAge 25.
- May 19, 1959Died in Honolulu, HawaiiAge 84.
- Resting placeNational Memorial Cemetery of the PacificHonolulu, Hawaii
