Harry C. Adriance
Encyclopedia
Harry Chapman Adriance was a United States Marine who received the Medal of Honor
for his "distinguished conduct in the presence of the enemy in battle near Tientsin, China" on July 13, 1900 during the Boxer Rebellion
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in Boston, Massachusetts on June 15, 1898. He served at Marine Barracks, New York Navy Yard and then was transferred to the U.S. Naval Base, Cavite, Philippine Islands, arriving there on September 21, 1899.
He was among the Marines sent to the city of Tientsin on June 29, 1900 at the outbreak of hostilities by the Boxers in China. Two weeks after arriving in China, Cpl Adriance distinguished himself by meritorious conduct during the battle near Tientsin. He served with the China Relief Expedition until October 10, 1900. On March 24, 1902, Cpl Adriance was presented the Medal of Honor for his actions on July 13, 1900.
Corporal Adriance returned to Cavite after his tour in China ended and then was transferred to the Brooklyn Navy Yard, New York on July 20, 1902. He was discharged there at the rank of sergeant on June 19, 1903. Three weeks later, Sgt Adriance re-enlisted in Buffalo, New York. A contested court-martial approximately one year later regarding theft charges resulted in Sgt Adriance receiving a bad conduct discharge from the Marine Corps and a reduction in rank
to private on September 7, 1904.
Adriance died in a Coney Island, New York, hospital on January 25, 1934 at the age of 70 from gallstones and jaundice. Records indicate he was cremated with no place of interment listed.
In the late 1980s, the Marine Corps League
in his hometown of Oswego initiated proceedings in an attempt to upgrade Pvt Adriance's discharge. The outcome is unknown.
Citation:
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
for his "distinguished conduct in the presence of the enemy in battle near Tientsin, China" on July 13, 1900 during the Boxer Rebellion
Boxer Rebellion
The Boxer Rebellion, also called the Boxer Uprising by some historians or the Righteous Harmony Society Movement in northern China, was a proto-nationalist movement by the "Righteous Harmony Society" , or "Righteous Fists of Harmony" or "Society of Righteous and Harmonious Fists" , in China between...
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Biography
Harry Adriance was born on October 27, 1864 in Oswego, New York. At the age of 33, he enlisted in the United States Marine CorpsUnited States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
in Boston, Massachusetts on June 15, 1898. He served at Marine Barracks, New York Navy Yard and then was transferred to the U.S. Naval Base, Cavite, Philippine Islands, arriving there on September 21, 1899.
He was among the Marines sent to the city of Tientsin on June 29, 1900 at the outbreak of hostilities by the Boxers in China. Two weeks after arriving in China, Cpl Adriance distinguished himself by meritorious conduct during the battle near Tientsin. He served with the China Relief Expedition until October 10, 1900. On March 24, 1902, Cpl Adriance was presented the Medal of Honor for his actions on July 13, 1900.
Corporal Adriance returned to Cavite after his tour in China ended and then was transferred to the Brooklyn Navy Yard, New York on July 20, 1902. He was discharged there at the rank of sergeant on June 19, 1903. Three weeks later, Sgt Adriance re-enlisted in Buffalo, New York. A contested court-martial approximately one year later regarding theft charges resulted in Sgt Adriance receiving a bad conduct discharge from the Marine Corps and a reduction in rank
Reduction in rank
Reduction in rank may refer to two separate concepts:*In military law, a reduction in rank is a demotion in military rank as punishment for a crime or wrongdoing, imposed by a court-martial or other authority...
to private on September 7, 1904.
Adriance died in a Coney Island, New York, hospital on January 25, 1934 at the age of 70 from gallstones and jaundice. Records indicate he was cremated with no place of interment listed.
In the late 1980s, the Marine Corps League
Marine Corps League
The Marine Corps League is the only Congressionally chartered United States Marine Corps-related veterans organization in the United States. Its Congressional Charter was approved by the 75th U.S. Congress and signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on August 4, 1937. The organization credits...
in his hometown of Oswego initiated proceedings in an attempt to upgrade Pvt Adriance's discharge. The outcome is unknown.
Decorations
Medal of HonorMedal of HonorThe Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
Spanish Campaign MedalSpanish Campaign MedalThe Spanish Campaign Medal was a military award of the United States Armed Forces which recognized those members of the U.S. military who had served in the Spanish-American War. Although a single decoration, there were two versions of the Spanish Campaign Medal, one for members of the United...
Philippine Campaign MedalPhilippine Campaign MedalThe Philippine Campaign Medal is a military decoration of the United States Armed Forces which was created to denote service of U.S. military members in the Philippine-American War between the years of 1899 and 1913. Although a single service medal, the Philippine Campaign Medal was issued under...
China Relief Expedition Medal (Navy)China Relief Expedition MedalThe China Relief Expedition Medal was a decoration of the United States military which was issued to members of both the United States Navy and the United States Marines for service in the China Relief Expedition between 1900 and 1901 during the Boxer Rebellion. The medal was authorized by General...
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps. Born: October 27, 1864, Oswego, N.Y. Accredited to: Massachusetts. G.O. No.: 55, July 19, 1901.Citation:
In the presence of the enemy during the battle near Tientsin, China, July 13, 1900, Adriance distinguished himself by meritorious conduct.