Death Gulch, Basay, Samar, PI

[covan]

Does anyone have any information on action by the US Marines at a place called "Death Gulch" near Basay, Samar, Philippine Islands in early November 1901?

So far I have been unable to locate any information on that particular combat action.

[usmcsgt65]

Any complete history of the Corps will have Samar. The short version, a company of Marines were operating in a village. The Filipino "doped up" attacked the Marines around 0Dark30. The Marines shot all of them (pre .45 automatic pistol days), but the natives continued to charge, killing a lot of Marines and wounding everyone. The survivors to their dying day were recognized upon entering a room, "Attention, there a Samar Marine on deck". That is the rough story. I believe Morrsion and Leckie have the event in their books.

[covan]

There is quite a lot of information out there on Samar. So far I have not been able to find ANY information specifically on an incident at a place called "Death Gulch." Can you help?

[usmcsgt65]

I do not have at my finger tips the books. "The Spendid Little War", "The Philippine Insurrection", or a book on the Philippine War (1900 - 1902), and possibility "American Imperialism" might have what you are looking for.

[covan]

Thanks for the leads. I'll see if the local library has any of those volumes. I have written to the USMC History Section but haven't gotten any reply back.

The reason I ask is that I am researching the life of a Marine who was recommended for a MOH for action at Death Gulch and I am trying to see what happened there.

[wrbones]

http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/usmchist/samar.txt


references and resources you MAY be able to get from your local public library on an inter library loan. See the reference desk.

http://www.grunts.net/usmc/1stmarines/notes.html


http://www.scuttlebuttsmallchow.com/samar.html

That oughta be enough to get ya good and started.

[covan]

Those are some references that I had not come across before. Thanks for your help.

[wrbones]

YW. There generally won't be much more detail than what I have provided. You may have to try and locate diaries or letters of the principles involved or other such writings. Detailed biographies perhaps...

[covan]

Checked out the above sites but they don't give me what I am looking for. Still looking for detailed information. Wish I could find letters or biographies.

I got a reply from the Marine Historical Section yesterday saying that they couldn't help. They suggested National Archives Old History Branch so I will try them.

They also suggested contacting the Marine Corps Awards Branch at Quantico so I sent them a letter, too.

So far none of the general history books have any mention of a place in Samar called Death Gulch.

[wrbones]

Post the citation and the name of the recipient, would ya. I may be able to help some...mebbe....

[covan]

The Marine's name was Private Albert Ralph Campbell. The only information I have is a mention in his official Marine record that states: "Recommended for a Medal of Honor for distinguished conduct in the presence of the enemy at Death Gulch near Basay, Samar, P.I. Nov 2 to 7, 1901."

At the time he was probably assigned to Co. G, 1st Regiment at Cavite, P.I.

Thanks for any help.

[wrbones]

http://www.homeofheroes.com/a_homepage/community.html



The President of the United States
in the name of
The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the

Medal of Honor

to



CAMPBELL, ALBERT RALPH

Rank and Organization: Private, U.S. Marine Corps. Born: 8 April 1875, Williamsport, Pa. Accredited to: Pennsylvania. G. O. No.: 55, 19 July 1901.

Citation:

In action at Tientsin, China, 21 June 1900. During the advance on Tientsin, Campbell distinguished himself by his conduct.

[wrbones]

No one named Campbell is listed anywhere in any branch of the service as having won the MOH during the Phillipine Insurrectiuon Campaign

[covan]

I know that he did NOT receive the MOH for action in the Philippines. I am trying to find out what happened at Death Gulch for him to receive a RECOMMENDATION for an MOH.

It is the same Albert R. Campbell who received the MOH during the Boxer Rebellion.

[wrbones]

Just tryin' to help. I'll let ya have at 'er! :D

[covan]

Bones,

I apologize if I my tone came across as ungrateful. I am very grateful for any assistance that anyone may be able to offer. That was the sole reason for my original post on this topic.

I was only trying to clarify that I was aware that Campbell had not received an MOH but had been recommended for one.

What happened at Death Gulch? What had Campbell done to merit a recommendation for an MOH?

I have his official Marine Corps personal file and there are no details what so ever.

Companies C, D, and H, 1st Regiment and Company F, 2nd Regiment were operating in the Basay area in early November but I can't find any information on what Company G was doing during the period November 2 to 7, 1901 and this is some of the information that I need.

[covan]

Just posting to let interested parties know what I have uncovered during the past year.

Thanks to records in the National Archives I was able to learn that the name "Death Gulch" never made it into official records. Campbell did participate in action on the Sohoton River and Sohoton Cliffs in mid-November. He and others were recommended for honors. Two of the officers involved received Medals of Honor about 30 years later. The honors for the others were most probably never acted on because of the controversial nature of the campaign.

I also learned that Pvt. Campbell was buried in an unmarked grave and I have taken action to have the appropriate marker placed on his grave.

covan