USMC
1904 PATTERN
USMC FIELD COAT
CORPORAL BERNARD RICHCREEK
(FOWLER)
Enlisting in the Marines in 1906, Richcreek was assigned to the Marine Barracks at Norfolk, Virginia. He served aboard the USS Louisiana and North Carolina. In January of 1909, he boarded the USS Prairie and was sent to Guantanamo, Cuba during the Cuban Pacification campaign. He was promoted to the rank of corporal while in Cuba, and received his discharge from the Marines in 1910.
He was discharged while in Cuba and immediately enlisted into the U.S. Navy. He served with the Navy through World War I, receiving the rank of Master At Arms First Class and was discharged in 1919.
Photo published in 1910 showing Richcreek shortly after his enlistment in the U.S. Navy.
Brigadier General Hiram I. Bearss
(Peru)
Medal of Honor Recipient
Hiram Bearss earned his nickname "Hiking Hiram" for his aggressive patrols against the Moros in the Philippines.
Bearss received 19 military decorations in his 22 years service including several for his actions in combat. These include decorations from the United States and other countries. From the United States he received the Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Distinguished Service Medal and the Army Distinguished Service Medal. In addition to these decorations he also received awards from other countries for his conduct in battle from France, Belgium and Italy. From France he received the Légion d'honneur officer class and the Fourragère. He also received the silver Croix de guerre with two palms from France as well as the Croix de guerre from Italy and Belgium. He also received campaign medals for the various wars and battles he fought in which included the Navy Expeditionary Medal with three numerals, Spanish Campaign Medal, Philippine Campaign Medal, Mexican Service Medal, Dominican Campaign Medal, World War I Victory Medal with battle clasps for Aisne, Aisne-Marne and St. Mihiel and the Meuse-Argonne defensive clasp.
One of his "battles" didn't take place in a foreign country, but in his hometown of Peru, Indiana when the Ku Klux Klan staged a march in that town. Bearss backed his car into the klansmen and when they surrounded him, he grabbed a wrench and threatened to take them all on.
Bearss citation for the Medal of Honor:
"The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Colonel [then Captain] Hiram Iddings Bearss (MCSN: 0-1102), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving with the 1st Regiment (Marines), 1st Marine Brigade, in action at the junction of the Cadacan and Sohoton Rivers, Samar, Philippine Islands, 17 November 1901. Colonel Bearss, second in command of the columns upon their uniting ashore in the Sohoton River region, made a surprise attack on the fortified cliffs and completely routed the enemy, killing 30 and capturing and destroying the powder magazine, 40 lantacas (guns), rice, food and cuartels. Due to his courage, intelligence, discrimination and zeal, he successfully led his men up the cliffs by means of bamboo ladders to a height of 200 feet. The cliffs were of soft stone of volcanic origin, in the nature of pumice, and were honeycombed with caves. Tons of rocks were suspended in platforms held in position by vine cables (known as bejuco) in readiness to be precipitated upon people below. After driving the insurgents from their position which was almost impregnable, being covered with numerous trails lined with poison spears, pits, etc., he led his men across the river, scaled the cliffs on the opposite side, and destroyed the camps there. Colonel Bearss and the men under his command overcame incredible difficulties and dangers in destroying positions which, according to reports from old prisoners, had taken three years to perfect, were held as a final rallying point, and were never before penetrated by white troops. Colonel Bearss also rendered distinguished public service in the presence of the enemy at Quinapundan River, Samar, Philippine Islands, on 19 January 1902."
