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Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

First Lieutenant · U.S. Army

Louis Joseph van Schaick

First Lieutenant Louis Joseph van Schaick, Army, received the Medal of Honor for actions on November 23, 1901 near Nasugbu, Batangas Provience, Luzon, Philippine Islands during the Philippine Insurrection.

Philippine Insurrection November 23, 1901

First Lieutenant Louis Joseph van Schaick was a soldier in the U.S. Army who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on November 23, 1901 near Nasugbu, Batangas Provience, Luzon, Philippine Islands during the Philippine Insurrection. At the time he was serving with 4th U.S. Infantry. van Schaick was 26 years old.

The medal was presented on May 19, 1913, 11 years after the action — presented by Pres. Woodrow Wilson. He later rose to the rank of Colonel.

van Schaick was born on July 1, 1875 in Cobleskill, Schoharie County, New York. van Schaick died on February 14, 1945 in Philippine Islands, at the age of 69. He is buried at Manilla American Cemetery in Manila, Philippines.

van Schaick is one of 82 Medal of Honor recipients from the Philippine Insurrection and one of 678 credited to New York.

Official Medal of Honor citation

While in pursuit of a band of insurgents, was the first of his detachment to emerge from a canyon and, seeing a column of insurgents and fearing they might turn and dispatch his men as they emerged one by one from the canyon, galloped forward and closed with the insurgents, thereby throwing them into confusion until the arrival of others of the detachment.

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

Battles and campaigns

Also served in: Philippine–American War.

Life beyond the battlefield

Source: Wikidata.

Places

  • Born: Cobleskill — map
  • Died: Philippines — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in New York →

Timeline

  1. July 1, 1875
    Born in Cobleskill, Schoharie County, New York
  2. November 23, 1901
    Act of valor — near Nasugbu, Batangas Provience, Luzon, Philippine Islands
    Age 26. 4th U.S. Infantry
  3. May 19, 1913
    Medal of Honor presented
    Presented by Pres. Woodrow Wilson
  4. February 14, 1945
    Died in Philippine Islands
    Age 69.
  5. Resting place
    Manilla American Cemetery
    Manila

Biography

Louis Joseph Van Schaick (July 1, 1875 – February 14, 1945) was an officer in the United States Army and the Medal of Honor recipient for his actions in the Philippine–American War.

From the Wikipedia article “Louis J. Van Schaick”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

Same unit

Allen James Greer Second Lieutenant · Army Philippine Insurrection · 1901

More Philippine Insurrection recipients from New York

George Evans Stewart Second Lieutenant · Army Philippine Insurrection · 1899 JL Joseph H. Leonard Private · Marine Corps Philippine Insurrection · 1899 William Hampden Sage Captain · Army Philippine Insurrection · 1899 AF Andrew Peter Forbeck Seaman · Navy Philippine Insurrection · 1900 WT William George Thordsen Coxswain · Navy Philippine Insurrection · 1900 HB Howard Major Buckley Private · Marine Corps Philippine Insurrection · 1899
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.