Calvin Pearl Titus

"I'll try, sir." Those three simple words became one of the most famous responses in American military history. Moments later, Lieutenant Colonel Calvin Pearl Titus, then a young Army musician, climbed the towering walls of Peking under enemy fire, opening the way for his comrades during the Boxer Rebellion. His extraordinary courage earned the Medal of Honor and marked the beginning of a remarkable military career that spanned nearly four decades.

Calvin Pearl Titus was born on 9 September 1879 in Vesper, Wisconsin, and was raised in Pennsylvania, where he developed a strong sense of duty and faith from an early age. In 1898, he enlisted in the 1st Vermont Volunteer Infantry during the Spanish-American War before joining the 14th United States Infantry Regiment in the Regular Army the following year. Although he entered military service as an enlisted musician, his courage and determination would soon place him among the most celebrated soldiers of his generation.

On 14 August 1900, during the Relief of Peking in the Boxer Rebellion, Allied forces faced the daunting challenge of breaching the massive city walls protecting the besieged foreign legations. When volunteers were requested to scale the wall under enemy fire, Titus responded with the now legendary words, "I'll try, sir." Climbing to the top despite intense opposition, he secured a foothold that allowed other American soldiers to follow, helping the assault force enter the city. His fearless initiative played a significant role in the success of the operation and demonstrated extraordinary bravery in the face of overwhelming danger.

For his conspicuous gallantry during the assault on Peking, Calvin Pearl Titus was awarded the Medal of Honor, becoming one of the youngest recipients of the decoration. His heroism attracted national attention and led to his appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he graduated in 1905 before beginning a distinguished career as a commissioned officer. Over the following decades, he served in the Philippines, participated in the China Relief Expedition, joined the Punitive Expedition into Mexico, and later served with the American occupation forces in Germany following the First World War.

Titus combined battlefield courage with exceptional professional ability throughout his Army career. His verified military honours include the Medal of Honor, Purple Heart, Spanish War Service Medal, Philippine Campaign Medal, China Campaign Medal, Mexican Service Medal, World War I Victory Medal, and the Army of Occupation of Germany Medal, reflecting service across four major military campaigns during a career that bridged the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

After retiring from active service as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1940, Titus remained widely respected as one of the Army's most distinguished officers. He passed away on 19 January 1958 and was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery. Today, his legacy continues to inspire soldiers and military historians alike, not only because of the courage he displayed atop the walls of Peking, but also because of the humility captured in the simple words that defined his heroism. When asked to attempt what seemed impossible, Calvin Pearl Titus answered with quiet confidence, "I'll try, sir," and changed history.