James Burnes (Medal of Honor)


James Burnes was an American Private serving in the United States Marine Corps during the Boxer Rebellion who received the Medal of Honor for bravery.

Biography

Burnes was born January 14, 1870, in Worcester, Massachusetts, and enlisted into the Marine Corps from Mare Island, California on June 9, 1898. After entering the Marine Corps he was sent as a private to China to fight in the Boxer Rebellion.
He was serving in Tientsin, China, on June 20, 1900, and along with three other Marines crossed a river in a small boat under heavy enemy fire to destroy several buildings that were occupied by hostile forces. For his actions that day he received he Medal of Honor on March 22, 1902. He was discharged from the Marine Corps on June 8, 1903, in Bremerton, Washington. He reenlisted on June 16, 1903. He received a bad conduct discharge on March 30, 1905.

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Marine Corps. Born: 14 January 1870, Worcester, Mass. Accredited to: California. G.O. No.: 84, 22 March 1902.
Citation:
In action against the enemy at Tientsin, China, 20 June 1900. Crossing the river in a small boat with 3 other men while under a heavy fire from the enemy, Burnes assisted in destroying buildings occupied by hostile forces.