Private Marcus William Robertson, a soldier in the U.S. Army, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on May 16, 1899 near San Isidro, Luzon, Philippine Islands during the Philippine Insurrection. At the time he was serving with Company B, 2d Oregon Volunteer Infantry. Robertson was 29 years old.
6 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on April 28, 1906, 6 years after the action.
Robertson was born on February 12, 1870 in Flintville (Suamico), Brown County, Wisconsin. His Medal of Honor is credited to Hood River, Hood River County, Oregon. Robertson died on May 24, 1948 in Portland, Oregon, at the age of 78. He is buried at Cremated at Lincoln Memorial Park in Portland, Oregon.
Robertson is one of 82 Medal of Honor recipients from the Philippine Insurrection and one of 13 credited to Oregon.
Official Medal of Honor citation
With 21 other scouts charged across a burning bridge, under heavy fire, and completely routed 600 of the enemy who were entrenched in a strongly fortified position.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: World War I, Philippine–American War.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Oregon →
Timeline
- February 12, 1870Born in Flintville (Suamico), Brown County, Wisconsin
- May 16, 1899Act of valor — near San Isidro, Luzon, Philippine IslandsAge 29. Company B, 2d Oregon Volunteer Infantry
- April 28, 1906Medal of Honor presented
- May 24, 1948Died in Portland, OregonAge 78.
- Resting placeCremated at Lincoln Memorial ParkPortland, Oregon
Biography
Marcus William Robertson (February 12, 1870 – May 24, 1948) was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of America's highest military decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions during the Philippine–American War. Marcus Robertson enlisted in the United States Army from Hood River, Oregon in May 1898, and, by May 16 1899, was serving as a private in Company B of the 2nd Oregon Volunteer Infantry Regiment as part of Young's Scouts. On that day, near San Isidro in the Philippines, Private Robertson helped to rout a large enemy force despite being greatly outnumbered. For his actions, he was presented with the Medal of Honor on April 28, 1906.
From the Wikipedia article “Marcus W. Robertson”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
