George E. Stewart

Rescuing a drowning soldier during a river crossing

George Evans Stewart was born on August 2, 1872, in New South Wales, Australia. He served in the United States Army and was a second lieutenant in the 19th U.S. Infantry during the Philippine conflict.

On November 26, 1899, at Passi on Panay, Stewart's regiment crossed a river in the face of the enemy. An enlisted soldier was in danger of drowning. Stewart plunged into the water and saved him, placing his own life at immediate risk.

Stewart received the Medal of Honor on June 26, 1900, and later attained colonel. He died on March 2, 1946, in Portland, Texas, and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. His award preserves the memory of a lifesaving act undertaken during combat.

Medal of Honor Citation

While crossing a river in the face of the enemy, this officer plunged in and at the imminent risk of his own life saved from drowning an enlisted man of his regiment.