William Zion
Encyclopedia
William Zion was a United States Marine private
received the Medal of Honor
during the China Relief Expedition
.
on October 23, 1872. He served in the United States Marine Corps and later in the United States Army. In 1900, he was awarded the Medal of Honor for his "meritorious conduct" as a Marine in China.
He later become a United States Army
First Lieutenant.
During World War I
he was in charge of a German POW barracks in Fort Oglethorpe
.
Zion died on March 25, 1919 of an apparent accidental gunshot wound inflicted while cleaning his weapon. Lieutenant Zion is buried in the Chattanooga National Cemetery
.
According to Sydney Gumpertz in his book The Jewish Legion of Valor, Zion was Jewish.
. G. O. No.: 55 July 19, 1901.
Citation:
Private (rank)
A Private is a soldier of the lowest military rank .In modern military parlance, 'Private' is shortened to 'Pte' in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries and to 'Pvt.' in the United States.Notably both Sir Fitzroy MacLean and Enoch Powell are examples of, rare, rapid career...
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...
during the China Relief Expedition
China Relief Expedition
The China Relief Expedition was the name of an expedition in China undertaken by the United States Armed Forces to the rescue of United States citizens, European nationals, and other foreign nationals during the latter years of the Boxer Rebellion, which lasted from between 1898 and 1901...
.
Biography
William Zion was born in Knightstown, IndianaKnightstown, Indiana
Knightstown is a town in Wayne Township, Henry County, Indiana, along the Big Blue River. The population was 2,182 at the 2010 census. Knightstown is famous for the 1986 movie Hoosiers. The Hoosier Gym was used in the filming of the movie. Knightstown hosts two annual festivals. Jubilee Days held...
on October 23, 1872. He served in the United States Marine Corps and later in the United States Army. In 1900, he was awarded the Medal of Honor for his "meritorious conduct" as a Marine in China.
He later become a 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...
First Lieutenant.
During 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...
he was in charge of a German POW barracks in Fort Oglethorpe
Fort Oglethorpe (Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia)
Fort Oglethorpe was an Army post established in 1902 and opened in 1904. It served largely as a cavalry post for the 6th Cavalry. During World War I Fort Oglethorpe was home to 4,000 German Prisoners of War and civilian detainees. During World War I and World War II, it became a war-time...
.
Zion died on March 25, 1919 of an apparent accidental gunshot wound inflicted while cleaning his weapon. Lieutenant Zion is buried in the Chattanooga National Cemetery
Chattanooga National Cemetery
Chattanooga National Cemetery is a United States National Cemetery located near the center of the city of Chattanooga in Hamilton County, Tennessee...
.
According to Sydney Gumpertz in his book The Jewish Legion of Valor, Zion was Jewish.
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and Organization: Private, U.S. Marine Corps. Born: October 23, 1872, Knightstown, Ind. Accredited to: CaliforniaCalifornia
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. G. O. No.: 55 July 19, 1901.
Citation:
In the presence of the enemy during the battle of Peking, ChinaBeijingBeijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
, 21 July to 17 August 1900. Throughout this period, Zion distinguished himself by meritorious conduct.