Edward H. Gibson

He swam under heavy enemy fire to try to bring back a canoe.

Edward Herrick Gibson was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on 4 July. He served as a U.S. Army sergeant in Company M, 27th Infantry, U.S. Volunteers during the Philippine-American War.

On 19 December 1899, at San Mateo on Luzon, Gibson attempted to swim across a river while exposed to heavy enemy fire. His purpose was to obtain a canoe and bring it back. The Medal of Honor citation recognizes the risk he accepted in attempting the crossing.

Gibson survived the action and received the Medal of Honor on 5 April 1911, more than eleven years after the fighting at San Mateo. His award was accredited to Boston.

He died on 25 April 1942 and is buried in Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno, California. His brief citation records a specific act of courage during the campaign in the Philippines, preserving the memory of a soldier who entered a river under fire to secure a boat.

Medal of Honor citation

Attempted under a heavy fire of the enemy to swim a river for the purpose of obtaining and returning with a canoe.