Congressional Medal of Honor Society
Stories of Sacrifice
Philippine Insurrection - U.S. Army
Joseph L Epps
Details
- Rank: Private
- Conflict/Era: Philippine Insurrection
- Unit/Command:
Company B, 33d Infantry,
U.S. Volunteers - Military Service Branch: U.S. Army
- Medal of Honor Action Date: December 4, 1899
- Medal of Honor Action Place: Vigan, Luzon, Philippine Islands
Citation
Discovered a party of insurgents inside a wall, climbed to the top of the wall, covered them with his gun, and forced them to stack arms and surrender.
Additional Details
- Accredited to: Oklahoma, (Indian Territory)
- Awarded Posthumously: No
- Presentation Date & Details: February 7, 1902
- Born: May 16, 1870, Jamestown, Moniteau County, MO, United States
- Died: June 20, 1952
- Buried: Green Hill Cemetery (PM) (91-4), Muskogee, OK, United States
From the CMOHS Archives
Additional information is available from Lt. Col. James Parker of the 45th Infantry's "Report on the Defense of Vigan, Luzon, P.I., December 4, 1899:"
"While searching the town for insurgents at the close of hte fight Private epps, Company B, Thirty-Third Infantry, asked Captain Van Way permission to search a particular house. Looking over a wall he discovered 17 insurgents armed, and mounting the wall he then covered them with his gun, forcing them to stack arms and surrender. When some surpise was expressed at this incident he replied, 'What else could they do? I had the drop on them.'"