Samoan Campaign Medal of Honor Recipient. He was part of a landing force of British and American Marines and seamen which was ambushed by a numerically superior rebel force. Despite being wounded himself, he conducted a one-man delaying action that enabled the landing force to withdraw to a defensible position covered by the guns of the warships offshore. Under fire from three sides, he stood his ground, refusing to withdraw until the main body had established a new defensive perimeter. Single-handedly he held off the attackers, while at the same time he protected two mortally wounded officers, Lieutenant Monaghan, USN and Lt Freeman, RN. His citation reads: For distinguished conduct in the presence of the enemy at Samoa, Philippine Islands, April 1, 1899. In 1917 attained the grade of sergeant major, the Marine Corps' senior NCO of that grade, and he served on the personal staff of Major General Commandant George Barnett. On March 24, 1917, he became the first Marine ever to wear the bursting bomb grade insignia of a Marine gunner. Later he served in World War I. He was wounded several times in combat and cited for bravery three different times. He was the recipient of several Purple Hearts and the Distinguished Service Cross, one of the first Marines to be so recognized. Sadly he was killed in action by an unknown German machine-gunner. He was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross. The French government bestowed the Croix de Guerre Order of the Army upon this "most gallant soldier." Later a US Navy destroyer, the USS Henry L. Hulbert (DD-342) was named in his honor.
Samoan Campaign Medal of Honor Recipient. He was part of a landing force of British and American Marines and seamen which was ambushed by a numerically superior rebel force. Despite being wounded himself, he conducted a one-man delaying action that enabled the landing force to withdraw to a defensible position covered by the guns of the warships offshore. Under fire from three sides, he stood his ground, refusing to withdraw until the main body had established a new defensive perimeter. Single-handedly he held off the attackers, while at the same time he protected two mortally wounded officers, Lieutenant Monaghan, USN and Lt Freeman, RN. His citation reads: For distinguished conduct in the presence of the enemy at Samoa, Philippine Islands, April 1, 1899. In 1917 attained the grade of sergeant major, the Marine Corps' senior NCO of that grade, and he served on the personal staff of Major General Commandant George Barnett. On March 24, 1917, he became the first Marine ever to wear the bursting bomb grade insignia of a Marine gunner. Later he served in World War I. He was wounded several times in combat and cited for bravery three different times. He was the recipient of several Purple Hearts and the Distinguished Service Cross, one of the first Marines to be so recognized. Sadly he was killed in action by an unknown German machine-gunner. He was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross. The French government bestowed the Croix de Guerre Order of the Army upon this "most gallant soldier." Later a US Navy destroyer, the USS Henry L. Hulbert (DD-342) was named in his honor.
Bio by: Ugaalltheway
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