Clarence Edward Mathias

Distinguished himself during the advance on Tientsin

Clarence Edward Mathias served in the United States Marine Corps during the China Relief Expedition of 1900. A private aboard the USS Solace, he was with the forces advancing on Tientsin, China, on 13 July, during the Boxer Rebellion. The official citation records that, “in the presence of the enemy,” Mathias distinguished himself by meritorious conduct. It does not specify the particular act, so the surviving award record establishes his conduct in combat without giving a fuller incident narrative.

Mathias was born in Royalton, Pennsylvania, on 12 December 1876, and enlisted in the Marine Corps at Harrisburg on 20 September 1899. The campaign brought him from service aboard a hospital ship to action with the Marine forces operating in China. His Medal of Honor was awarded on 19 July 1901, while he held the rank of private. Mathias continued a long Marine Corps career, eventually reaching sergeant major and retiring on 15 July 1923.

He died on 9 December 1935 and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery. The brief citation gives no detailed account of his individual action, but it places his recognition amid the dangerous advance on Tientsin and confirms his conduct in the enemy’s presence.

Citation: “In the presence of the enemy during the advance on Tientsin, China, 13 July 1900, Mathias distinguished himself by meritorious conduct.”

Sources 1. Marine Corps University, History Division. “Sergeant Major Clarence Edward Mathias, USMC (Deceased).” 2. Congressional Medal of Honor Society. “Clarence Edward Mathias,” recipient profile. 3. National Medal of Honor Museum. “Clarence Edward Mathias,” recipient profile.