James R. Gillenwater

Recovering two comrades under insurgent fire near Porac town

James R. Gillenwater was born on October 28, 1871, in Rye Cove, Scott County, Virginia. He served as a corporal in Company A, 36th Infantry, U.S. Volunteers, during the Philippine-American War.

On September 3, 1899, near Porac, Luzon, Gillenwater was taking part in a scouting operation when he drove off a larger insurgent force. With one fellow soldier, he recovered two comrades from the field, one dead and the other badly wounded. His Medal of Honor recognized both his resistance to the opposing force and his determination to bring his comrades back.

The award was issued on March 15, 1902. Gillenwater died in Rogersville, Tennessee, on January 19, 1946. His remains were moved from Payne Cemetery to Highland Cemetery in Rogersville; the cited record does not give the transfer date. His service is remembered through the Medal of Honor's record of courage and loyalty under fire.

Official Medal of Honor citation: While on a scout drove off a superior force of insurgents and with the assistance of one comrade brought from the field of action the bodies of two comrades, one killed and the other severely wounded.