Navy Federal Credit Union

Assistant Surgeon Church’s action was the first Medal of Honor action by a member of the US Army of the Spanish-American War. His Medal was presented in 1906 by President Theodore Roosevelt, who eight years before, had been Church’s Commanding Officer in the Rough Riders.

Awards Received

  • Medal of Honor

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Assistant Surgeon

    Division:

    1st U.S. Volunteer Cavalry (Rough Riders)

    Action Date:

    June 24, 1898

    Date of Issue: January 10, 1906

    The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Assistant Surgeon James Robb Church, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 24 June 1898, while serving with 1st U.S. Volunteer Cavalry (Rough Riders), in action at Las Guasimas, Cuba. In addition to performing gallantly the duties pertaining to his position, Assistant Surgeon Church voluntarily and unaided carried several seriously wounded men from the firing line to a secure position in the rear, in each instance being subjected to a very heavy fire and great exposure and danger.