Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, First Lieutenant Matthew Arlington Batson received the Medal of Honor for his actions on July 26, 1899 in Calamba, Luzon, Philippine Islands during the Philippine Insurrection. At the time he was serving with 4th U.S. Cavalry. Batson was 33 years old.
One other service member also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on March 8, 1902, 2 years after the action. He later rose to the rank of Captain.
Batson was born on April 24, 1866 in Anna, Union County, Illinois. His Medal of Honor is credited to Carbondale, Jackson County, Illinois. Batson died on January 13, 1917, at the age of 50. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.
Batson is one of 82 Medal of Honor recipients from the Philippine Insurrection and one of 210 credited to Illinois.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Swam the San Juan River in the face of the enemy's fire and drove him from his entrenchments.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: Philippine–American War.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Illinois →
Timeline
- April 24, 1866Born in Anna, Union County, Illinois
- July 26, 1899Act of valor — Calamba, Luzon, Philippine IslandsAge 33. 4th U.S. Cavalry
- March 8, 1902Medal of Honor presented
- January 13, 1917DiedAge 50.
- Resting placeArlington National CemeteryArlington, Virginia
Biography
Matthew Arlington Batson (Anna, Illinois, US, 24 April 1866 – 13 January 1917) was a United States Army Officer who received the Medal of Honor for actions during the Philippine–American War. 1st Lieutenant Batson was awarded the medal for swimming the San Juan River under enemy fire. He was awarded his medal alongside Captain Hugh J. McGrath who performed the same feat. Batson is most noted, however, for creating the Philippine Scouts.
From the Wikipedia article “Matthew Arlington Batson”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
