VOLZ, JACOB

Rank and organization: Carpenter's Mate Third Class, U.S. Navy.

Place and date: Island of Basilan, Philippine Islands, 24 September 1911. Entered service at: Nebraska. Birth: Sutton, Nebr. G.O. No.: 138, 13 December 1911.

Citation: While attached to the U.S.S. Pampang, Volz was one of a shore party moving in to capture Mundang, on the island of Basilan, Philippine Islands, on 24 September 1911. Investigating a group of nipa huts close to the trail, the advance scout party was suddenly taken under point-blank fire and rushed by approximately 20 enemy Moros attacking from inside the huts and other concealed positions. Volz responded instantly to calls for help and, finding all members of the scout party writhing on the ground but still fighting, he blazed his rifle into the outlaws with telling effect, destroying several of the Moros and assisting in the rout of the remainder. By his aggressive charging of the enemy under heavy fire and in the face of great odds, Volz contributed materially to the success of the engagement.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The USS Pampanga was one of four gunboats of the U.S. Navy "Mosquito Fleet" assigned to patrol Philippine waters and contain the native Moros from insurrection. Hospital Apprentice Fred McGuire was one of six men awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism as part of a shore party dispatched to capture Mundang, on the island of Basilan, on September 24, 1911. Ordered to take station within 100 yards of a group of nipa huts close to the trail, Corpsman McGuire advanced and stood guard as the leader and his scout party searched the surrounding grasses, then moved into the open area before the huts. Instantly enemy Moros opened point-blank fire on the exposed men and 20 Moros charged the small group from inside the huts and from other concealed positions. McGuire, responding to the calls for help, was one of the first on the scene. After emptying his rifle into the attackers, he closed in with rifle, using it as a club to wage fierce battle until his comrades arrived on the field, when he rallied to the aid of his dying leader and other wounded. Although himself wounded, McGuire ministered tirelessly and efficiently to those who had been struck down, thereby saving the lives of two who otherwise might have succumbed to enemy-inflicted wounds.

DIED: Jul. 22, 1965
Portland
Multnomah County
Oregon, USA

BURIED: Lincoln Memorial Park
Portland
Multnomah County
Oregon

MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENTS