David Dixon Porter

Led Marines up Samar cliffs and battled in China and Cavite.

David Dixon Porter earned the Medal of Honor for leading United States Marines against heavily fortified positions on Samar in 1901, but his recognition came more than three decades after the battle. A veteran of the Philippine–American War and the Boxer Rebellion, he distinguished himself in combat in the Philippines and China before rising to major general on the Marine Corps retired list.

Born in Washington, D.C., on 29 April 1877, Porter came from a prominent naval family. His grandfather was Admiral David Dixon Porter, a distinguished Union commander during the American Civil War. The younger Porter received a temporary Marine Corps commission in 1898 and a regular commission in April 1899. On 8 October 1899, his conduct during the attack on Novaleta in the Philippines earned him a brevet promotion and, later, the Marine Corps Brevet Medal.

In 1900, Porter participated in the international China Relief Expedition. During the Battle of Tientsin on 13 July, he commanded a Marine machine-gun detachment under enemy fire. He subsequently took part in the operations against Peking before returning to the Philippines.

In October 1901, Porter joined operations against insurgent forces on Samar. His Medal of Honor citation recognizes his distinguished service at Quinapundan River on 26 October and his leadership during the assault at the junction of the Cadacan and Sohoton Rivers on 17 November. There, he commanded Marines who overcame formidable defensive obstacles, scaled cliffs approximately 200 feet high and captured or destroyed insurgent positions and military supplies.

Porter also participated in the ill-fated Waller expedition across Samar in December 1901 and January 1902. The wider Samar campaign became controversial for punitive tactics against civilians, while the subsequent march resulted in deaths and military investigations. These events delayed recognition of the Marines' earlier combat achievements.

Porter later held staff, administrative and recruiting appointments, including service at Marine Corps headquarters during World War I. President Franklin D. Roosevelt presented him the Medal of Honor on 25 April 1934, when he held the rank of colonel. He retired in 1937 and was subsequently advanced to major general on the retired list. Porter died in Philadelphia on 25 February 1944 and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. His Medal of Honor is held by the National Museum of the Marine Corps at Quantico, Virginia.

Medal of Honor citation

For extraordinary heroism and eminent and conspicuous conduct in battle at the junction of the Cadacan and Sohoton Rivers, Samar, Philippine Islands, 17 November 1901. In command of the columns upon their uniting ashore in the Sohoton Region, Col. Porter (then Capt.) 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., Col. Porter led his men across the river, scaled the cliffs on the opposite side, and destroyed the camps there. He 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 post, and had never before been penetrated by white troops. Col. Porter also rendered distinguished public service in the presence of the enemy at Quinapundan River, Samar, Philippine Islands, 26 October 1901.