Anthony J. Carson

Two days of resistance to protect survivors and wounded men.

Anthony J. Carson was a United States Army corporal who received the Medal of Honor for leading survivors of an overwhelming attack during the Philippine-American War. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, on 23 April 1869, he served in Company H, 43rd Infantry, United States Volunteers. His award record credits him to Malden, Massachusetts.

During the fighting at Catubig on Samar from 15 to 19 April 1900, Carson assumed command of a surviving detachment. He organized its resistance against a much larger enemy force and protected wounded men until relief arrived. The citation singles out his judgment and sustained leadership as well as his bravery.

Carson’s Medal of Honor presentation is recorded on 4 January 1906. He died in Dorchester, Massachusetts, on 25 April 1943 and is buried in New Calvary Cemetery, Mattapan, in grave 204-2651. His award commemorates the defense of a battered group of soldiers whose survival depended on his leadership.

Full Medal of Honor citation:

“Assumed command of a detachment of the company which had survived an overwhelming attack of the enemy, and by his bravery and untiring efforts and the exercise of extraordinary good judgment in the handling of his men, successfully withstood for two days the attacks of a large force of the enemy, thereby saving the lives of the survivors and protecting the wounded until relief came.”