Erwin Jay Boydston

He built barricades under heavy fire during the Peking siege

Erwin Jay Boydston earned the Medal of Honor during the fighting at Peking, China, from 21 July to 17 August 1900. Serving as a Marine private during the Boxer Rebellion, he helped erect barricades while exposed to heavy enemy fire. His award recognizes the danger of constructing and strengthening defensive works while an opponent could directly engage the workers. The concise citation preserves his contribution through weeks of fighting without assigning him an unsupported individual battle sequence.

Medal of Honor citation

In the presence of the enemy at Peking, China, 21 July to 17 August 1900. Under a heavy fire from the enemy during this period, Boydston assisted in the erection of barricades.