Ding Ruchang
During the Battle of the Yalu River, Liu Buchan commanded the flagship "Dingyuan" - the most powerful ship of the Beiyang Fleet - in battle against the Japanese fleet. The battle lasted into the afternoon and the "Dingyuan" was struck multiple times. As Admiral Ding Ruchang, the fleet commander, had been seriously wounded early in the battle, Liu had to assume command of the entire fleet. For his bravery during the battle, Liu was promoted to reserve Admiral of the Fleet after the battle, and acted as commander of the fleets while Ding Ruchang recovered from his injuries.