Julien Edmund Victor Gaujot
Encyclopedia
Julien Edmond Victor Gaujot, the brother of Antoine, was born on October 22, 1874 in Eagle Harbor Township, Michigan
, United States
.
The Gaujot brothers are two of the eight sets of brothers received the Medal of Honor
and the only pair to receive the Medal for actions in different wars. Both brothers also attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
.
His father was a French-born mining engineer when he emigrated to Tamaqua, Pennsylvania
. While there he met and married Susan Ellen McGuigan. The family eventually moved to Michigan and after that lived for a while in Ontario, Canada, before moving to Lynchburg, Virginia
. In 1877 Julien's father, Ernest Gaujot, traveled to Japan to serve as general superintendent of mines.
In 1894, the family moved to what would become Mingo County, West Virginia
.
In 1889 Julien enrolled in the Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College (now Virginia Tech) but left in 1890 before graduating and worked as a civil engineer.
corporal at the Battle of Paye
near Mateo during the Philippine–American War. Julien, a regular army officer, became obsessed with his brother's achievement. Referring to Antoine, Julien said "He wears it for a watch fob, the damn civilian, I got to get me one of them things for myself if I bust." Julien Gaujot received the medal for actions on the Mexican border
on April 13, 1911. He is the only soldier ever awarded the Medal for actions of a peacekeeping nature. In Douglas, Arizona
, stray bullets from fighting among Mexican rebels and government troops caused American casualties. Infuriated, Julien mounted his beloved horse "Old Dick", and rode across the border into the teeth of the battle. He moved between the two groups of belligerents for an hour under heavy fire, eventually securing the safe passage of the Mexican government soldiers and American prisoners over the border to the United States. His actions saved five Americans taken prisoner by the Mexicans, 25 Mexican government soldiers, an unrecorded number of Mexican rebels, and averted further danger to those on the U.S. side of the border.
General Leonard Wood
later said in referring to the incident that Julien's action warranted "either a court martial or a Medal of Honor." That Medal was approved November 23, 1912 and awarded by President William Howard Taft
at the White House
the following month, in one of the earliest White House presentations of the Medal of Honor. Julien served in the United States Army
from 1897 to 1934 and participated in five major engagements: the Spanish-American War
, Philippine–American War, Cuban Pacification
, Mexican Border, and World War I
.
Julien served as 1st Lieutenant, 2nd Squadron, F Co., 10th US Cavalry (one of the Buffalo Soldiers regiments), during their time in the Philippines. He retired from the Regular Army in 1934 with the rank of colonel.
, Mexico, April 13, 1911. Entered service at: Williamson, W. Va. Birth: Keweenaw, Mich. Date of issue: November 23, 1912.
Citation:
on April 7, 1938 and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery
. His grave can be found in section 6, lot 8423-NH map grid V/W 22.5.
Eagle Harbor Township, Michigan
Eagle Harbor Township is a civil township of Keweenaw County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the township population was 281. The irregularly-shaped township is located on the Keweenaw Peninsula and also includes the southern half of Isle Royale...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
The Gaujot brothers are two of the eight sets of brothers received the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
and the only pair to receive the Medal for actions in different wars. Both brothers also attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, popularly known as Virginia Tech , is a public land-grant university with the main campus in Blacksburg, Virginia with other research and educational centers throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia, United States, and internationally.Founded in...
.
Early life and school
Julien Edmond Victor Gaujot was born October 22, 1874 in Eagle Harbor, Michigan.His father was a French-born mining engineer when he emigrated to Tamaqua, Pennsylvania
Tamaqua, Pennsylvania
Tamaqua is a borough in eastern Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. The borough, located in Northeastern Pennsylvania's Coal Region, had a population of 7,107 as of the 2010 U.S...
. While there he met and married Susan Ellen McGuigan. The family eventually moved to Michigan and after that lived for a while in Ontario, Canada, before moving to Lynchburg, Virginia
Lynchburg, Virginia
Lynchburg is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The population was 75,568 as of 2010. Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains along the banks of the James River, Lynchburg is known as the "City of Seven Hills" or "The Hill City." Lynchburg was the only major city in...
. In 1877 Julien's father, Ernest Gaujot, traveled to Japan to serve as general superintendent of mines.
In 1894, the family moved to what would become Mingo County, West Virginia
Mingo County, West Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 28,253 people, 11,303 households, and 8,217 families residing in the county. The population density was 67 people per square mile . There were 12,898 housing units at an average density of 30 per square mile...
.
In 1889 Julien enrolled in the Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College (now Virginia Tech) but left in 1890 before graduating and worked as a civil engineer.
Military career
Julien's brother, Antoine Gaujot, received the Medal of Honor for actions on December 19, 1899 as a United States ArmyUnited States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
corporal at the Battle of Paye
Battle of Paye
The Battle of Paye was a battle during the Philippine-American War between the United States and the Philippines. It was fought on December 19, 1899, near San Mateo in Morong between the forces of General Henry Ware Lawton, and 200 Filipino riflemen under General Licerio Gerónimo...
near Mateo during the Philippine–American War. Julien, a regular army officer, became obsessed with his brother's achievement. Referring to Antoine, Julien said "He wears it for a watch fob, the damn civilian, I got to get me one of them things for myself if I bust." Julien Gaujot received the medal for actions on the Mexican border
United States involvement in the Mexican Revolution
The United States involvement in the Mexican Revolution was varied. The United States relationship with Mexico has often been turbulent. For both economic and political reasons, the American government generally supported those who occupied the seats of power, whether they held that power...
on April 13, 1911. He is the only soldier ever awarded the Medal for actions of a peacekeeping nature. In Douglas, Arizona
Douglas, Arizona
Douglas is a city in Cochise County, Arizona, United States. Douglas has a border crossing with Mexico and a history of mining.The population was 14,312 at the 2000 census...
, stray bullets from fighting among Mexican rebels and government troops caused American casualties. Infuriated, Julien mounted his beloved horse "Old Dick", and rode across the border into the teeth of the battle. He moved between the two groups of belligerents for an hour under heavy fire, eventually securing the safe passage of the Mexican government soldiers and American prisoners over the border to the United States. His actions saved five Americans taken prisoner by the Mexicans, 25 Mexican government soldiers, an unrecorded number of Mexican rebels, and averted further danger to those on the U.S. side of the border.
General Leonard Wood
Leonard Wood
Leonard Wood was a physician who served as the Chief of Staff of the United States Army, Military Governor of Cuba and Governor General of the Philippines. Early in his military career, he received the Medal of Honor. Wood also holds officer service #2 in the Regular Army...
later said in referring to the incident that Julien's action warranted "either a court martial or a Medal of Honor." That Medal was approved November 23, 1912 and awarded by President William Howard Taft
William Howard Taft
William Howard Taft was the 27th President of the United States and later the tenth Chief Justice of the United States...
at the White House
White House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
the following month, in one of the earliest White House presentations of the Medal of Honor. Julien served in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
from 1897 to 1934 and participated in five major engagements: the Spanish-American War
Spanish-American War
The Spanish–American War was a conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States, effectively the result of American intervention in the ongoing Cuban War of Independence...
, Philippine–American War, Cuban Pacification
Army of Cuban Pacification Medal
The Army of Cuban Pacification Medal is a military award of the United States Army which was created by orders of the United States War Department on May 11, 1909...
, Mexican Border, and World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
.
Julien served as 1st Lieutenant, 2nd Squadron, F Co., 10th US Cavalry (one of the Buffalo Soldiers regiments), during their time in the Philippines. He retired from the Regular Army in 1934 with the rank of colonel.
Honors and awards
In addition to the Medal of Honor he received two bronze leaves on his service ribbon for action in two major World War I offensives.Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Captain, Troop K, 1st U.S. Cavalry. Place and date: At Agua PrietaAgua Prieta
Agua Prieta is a pueblo and municipality in the northeastern corner of the Mexican state of Sonora . It stands on the U.S.–Mexico border, adjacent to the town of Douglas, Arizona, USA. The municipality covers an area of 3,631.65 km²...
, Mexico, April 13, 1911. Entered service at: Williamson, W. Va. Birth: Keweenaw, Mich. Date of issue: November 23, 1912.
Citation:
Crossed the field of fire to obtain the permission of the rebel commander to receive the surrender of the surrounded forces of Mexican Federals and escort such forces, together with 5 Americans held as prisoners, to the American line.
Death
Julien died in Williamson, West VirginiaWilliamson, West Virginia
Williamson is a city in Mingo County, West Virginia, USA, along the Tug Fork River. The population was 3,414 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Mingo County, and is the county's largest and most populous city. Williamson is home to Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College...
on April 7, 1938 and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia, is a military cemetery in the United States of America, established during the American Civil War on the grounds of Arlington House, formerly the estate of the family of Confederate general Robert E. Lee's wife Mary Anna Lee, a great...
. His grave can be found in section 6, lot 8423-NH map grid V/W 22.5.
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients
- List of Medal of Honor recipients (Veracruz)
- Antoine August Michel Gaujot