Reuben Jasper Phillips

He faced enemy fire during the Allied relief drive in China.

Reuben Jasper Phillips was born in Cambria, California, on 28 July 1874. He enlisted in the Marine Corps at Mare Island on 16 July 1898. During the Boxer uprising in China he served as a corporal in Captain Newt H. Hall's Marine detachment from USS Newark.

His Medal of Honor citation recognizes meritorious conduct in the presence of the enemy during fighting on 13, 20, 21 and 22 June 1900. The surviving official account is brief and does not describe a particular rescue, charge or number of enemies defeated. His distinction arose from sustained conduct across several engagements of the Allied relief expedition.

The award was announced on 19 July 1901. Phillips subsequently became a sergeant and was honorably discharged on 21 July 1903. He died on 8 February 1936 and was buried in San Francisco National Cemetery. His headstone preserves his connection with the China Relief Expedition.

Medal of Honor citation

In action with the relief expedition of the Allied forces in China during the battles of 13, 20, 21, and 22 June 1900. Throughout this period and in the presence of the enemy, Phillips distinguished himself by meritorious conduct.