Henry William Heisch

Crossing a river under fire to destroy enemy-held buildings.

Henry William Heisch earned the Medal of Honor at Tientsin, China, on June 20, 1900. A private in Captain Newt H. Hall’s Marine detachment from USS Newark, he crossed a river in a small boat under heavy enemy fire and helped destroy occupied buildings.

Born in Latendorf, Germany, on June 10, 1872, Heisch served in the United States Marine Corps during the China Relief Expedition against the Boxer Rebellion. He was accredited to California for the award.

Heisch enlisted at Mare Island, California, on April 2, 1898. His Medal of Honor was awarded on March 22, 1902, and he was honorably discharged on April 1, 1903. Heisch died in Napa, California, on July 10, 1941, and is buried at Tulocay Cemetery there.

Medal of Honor citation

In action against the enemy at Tientsin, China, 20 June 1900. Crossing the river in a small boat while under heavy fire, Heisch assisted in destroying buildings occupied by the enemy.