Howard Major Buckley

He battled beside the infantry through four intense actions.

Howard Major Buckley was born at Croton Falls, New York. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at Brooklyn on 1 July 1896. Major was his middle name, rather than an officer's rank.

As a private he served with Marines attached to the United States Army's Eighth Corps during operations in the Philippines in 1899. His Official citation identified four separate dates of action: 25, 27 and 29 March, and 4 April. Across those engagements his conduct was recognised as distinguished and meritorious in the presence of the enemy.

The citation places his service in the early fighting of the Philippine-American War, when American columns were advancing beyond Manila. It honours his sustained performance through successive encounters rather than describing a single rescue or an isolated charge. His award became part of the Marine Corps' record of that campaign.

Buckley continued serving after the action for which he was decorated. He rose through the enlisted ranks and ultimately became a gunnery sergeant. His Marine career ended with a bad-conduct discharge on 24 June 1913. The Medal of Honor remained attached to his record of gallantry in the Philippines.

He lived for nearly three further decades after leaving the service. He died at Bath, New York, on 2 July 1941 and was buried in Wheeler Cemetery. His surviving military record connects an extended enlisted Marine career with the four combat actions recognised in his Official citation.

Official citation

For distinguished conduct in the presence of the enemy in battle, while with the 8th Army Corps on 25, 27, 29 March, and 4 April 1899.