Louis Rene Gaiennie

He stood with a besieged garrison through weeks of fighting.

Louis Rene Gaiennie was born in St Louis, Missouri, on 9 June 1878. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at Mare Island, California, on 11 July 1899. Within a year he was serving in China during the Boxer uprising.

As a private, Gaiennie belonged to the small Marine contingent helping defend the foreign legations in Peking, now Beijing. The isolated defenders endured repeated attacks, shelling and severe shortages while awaiting relief. Marines served alongside sailors and troops from several other nations, holding positions within the legation quarter and along its approaches.

His Medal of Honor citation recognised his meritorious conduct during the fighting from 21 July to 17 August 1900. Unlike some citations that describe a single brief exploit, his award covered sustained service through the closing weeks of the siege. The decoration was authorised in Navy General Order 55 of 19 July 1901. His actual service in the China operations also qualified for the China Relief Expedition Medal.

Gaiennie completed a relatively short Marine career and received an honourable discharge on 10 December 1901. He returned to civilian life in the St Louis area. He died there on 25 November 1942, aged sixty-four, and was buried in Calvary Cemetery.

His name is preserved among the Marine Corps' Medal of Honor recipients for the China campaign. The award commemorates the endurance and conduct of a young enlisted Marine during a protracted siege far from his home in Missouri.

Official Medal of Honor citation

In the presence of the enemy during the action at Peking, China, 21 July to 17 August 1900, Gaiennie distinguished himself by meritorious conduct.

Congressional Medal of Honor Society recipient record.