Ordinary Seaman William Seach was a sailor in the U.S. Navy who received the Medal of Honor for his actions between June 20 and 22, 1900 in China during the Boxer Rebellion. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Newark. Seach was 23 years old.
27 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on 1903, 3 years after the action. He later rose to the rank of Lieutenant.
Seach was born on May 23, 1877 in London, England — one of 98 recipients born in England. His Medal of Honor is credited to Massachusetts. Seach died on October 24, 1978 in Brockton, Massachusetts, at the age of 101. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. His medal is held by USS Salem at the Old Quincy Shipyard, Quincy, MA.
Seach is one of 59 Medal of Honor recipients from the Boxer Rebellion and one of 265 credited to Massachusetts.
Official Medal of Honor citation
In action with the relief expedition of the Allied forces in China during the battles of 13, 20, 21, and 22 June 1900. June 13: Seach and six others were cited for their courage in repulsing an attack by 300 Chinese Imperialist soldiers and Boxer militants with a bayonet charge, thus thwarting a planned massive attack on the entire force. June 20: During a day-long battle, Seach ran across an open clearing, gained cover, and cleaned out nests of Chinese snipers. June 21: During a surprise saber attack by Chinese cavalrymen, Seach was cited for defending gun emplacements. June 22: Seach and others breached the wall of a Chinese fort, fought their way to the enemy's guns, and turned the cannon upon the defenders of the fort. Throughout this period and in the presence of the enemy, Seach distinguished himself by meritorious conduct.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: Boxer Rebellion.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Massachusetts →
Timeline
- May 23, 1877Born in London, England
- June 20 - 22, 1900Act of valor — ChinaAge 23. U.S.S. Newark
- 1903Medal of Honor presented
- October 24, 1978Died in Brockton, MassachusettsAge 101.
- Resting placeArlington National CemeteryArlington, Virginia
Biography
William Seach (May 23, 1877 – October 24, 1978) was a United States Navy sailor and Medal of Honor recipient. He served as an ordinary seaman aboard USS Newark during the Boxer Rebellion and was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the China Relief Expedition in June 1900. During the Boxer Rebellion, Seach served as an ordinary seaman with a detachment from USS Newark and distinguished himself in several engagements between June 13 and 22, 1900. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his conduct during the China Relief Expedition. During World War I, Seach served as a gunnery officer aboard the troop transport USS President Lincoln.
From the Wikipedia article “William Seach”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
