Hospital Apprentice Robert Henry Stanley, a sailor in the U.S. Navy, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry between June 20 and 22, 1900 in Peking, China during the Boxer Rebellion. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Newark. Stanley was 19 years old.
27 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. He later rose to the rank of Chief Pharmacist.
Stanley was born on May 2, 1881 in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York. Stanley died on July 15, 1942 in Pensacola, Florida, at the age of 61. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.
Stanley is one of 59 Medal of Honor recipients from the Boxer Rebellion.
Official Medal of Honor citation
For distinguished conduct in the presence of the enemy in volunteering and carrying messages under fire at Peking, China, 12 July 1900.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: World War I, Spanish–American War.
Places
Timeline
- May 2, 1881Born in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York
- June 20 - 22, 1900Act of valor — Peking, ChinaAge 19. U.S.S. Newark
- July 15, 1942Died in Pensacola, FloridaAge 61.
- Resting placeArlington National CemeteryArlington, Virginia
Biography
Robert Henry Stanley (May 2, 1881 – July 15, 1942) was a 40-year member of the United States Navy. He was the first hospital corpsman to receive the nation's highest military decoration for valor, the Medal of Honor. He was awarded the medal for carrying messages under heavy fire on June 13, 20, 21 and 22 and July 12, 1900, while assigned to the USS Newark at Beijing (then Peking), China during the Boxer Rebellion.
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