The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Corporal Edwin Nelson Appleton, United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving with the 1st Regiment (Marines), in action against the enemy at Tientsin, China, 20 June 1900. Crossing the river in a small boat while under heavy enemy fire, Corporal Appleton assisted in destroying buildings occupied by the enemy.