Private Oscar Jefferson Upham was a Marine in the U.S. Marine Corps who received the Medal of Honor for his actions between July 21 and August 17, 1900 in Peking, China during the Boxer Rebellion. At the time he was serving with Marine Guard, U.S.S. Oregon. Upham was 29 years old.
12 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day.
Upham was born on January 11, 1871 in Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio. His Medal of Honor is credited to Illinois. Upham died on February 18, 1949 in Guthrie, Oklahoma, at the age of 78. He is buried at Summit View Cemetery in Guthrie, Oklahoma.
Upham is one of 59 Medal of Honor recipients from the Boxer Rebellion and one of 210 credited to Illinois.
Official Medal of Honor citation
In the presence of the enemy at Peking, China, 21 July to 17 August 1900. Although under a heavy fire from the enemy during this period, Upham assisted in the erection of barricades.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: Spanish–American War.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Illinois →
Timeline
- January 11, 1871Born in Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio
- July 21 - August 17, 1900Act of valor — Peking, ChinaAge 29. Marine Guard, U.S.S. Oregon
- February 18, 1949Died in Guthrie, OklahomaAge 78.
- Resting placeSummit View CemeteryGuthrie, Oklahoma
Biography
Oscar John Jefferson Upham (December 14, 1871 – February 18, 1949) was a private serving in the United States Marine Corps during the Boxer Rebellion who received the Medal of Honor for bravery. In addition to his service during the Boxer rebellion, he also served in the Spanish–American War and is credited as shooting the first shot from the USS Oregon that portion of the Spanish–American War. In the 26th Induction Ceremony, November 1, 2025, Oscar Upham was inducted into the Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame.
From the Wikipedia article “Oscar J. Upham”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
