Hiram I . Bearss Hiram Iddings Bearss ( April 13 , 1875 – August 28 , 1938 ) was an officer of the United States Marine Corps who received the Medal of Honor for heroism during the Philippine - American War and the Distinguished Service Cross for his valor in World War I . Early life and education . Hiram was born April 13 , 1875 in Peru , Indiana to Frank and Desdemona Bearss . His father was away on business at the time , but upon returning was informed that his son , " Mike " had been born . Through most of his youth Mike did not seem to like his given name of Hiram and was prone to fighting anyone who used it . He had one brother , Braxton and three sisters , Emmy , Desdemona and Lucy . As a child he got into a lot of trouble , frequently getting into fights and defying those in authority positions above him , including his parents . In addition to the trouble he got into he also had difficulty in school , but managed to do well enough to continue his education . As a young boy he found an interest in horses and became a good rider , winning a horse race when he was only six . When he was a teenager he ran away from home , but was found by his father , several weeks later , tending to some prize horses in a distant town . After convincing his father to let him continue caring for the animals he returned home . Along with his love of horses he was also a good athlete and enjoyed playing football and baseball . When he was a teenager his father got him into the Notre Dame preparatory school where he continued playing sports , getting into fights and playing pranks on the teachers and other students . Although he completed the first year , even making the honor roll for a few months , he was not allowed to return . During the summer he played baseball in his hometown of Peru and continued to do so every summer for the next several years . The next year he again attempted school , this time at a preparatory school for Purdue University where he only lasted a few months . After accepting a large donation from his father , Depauw University accepted Hiram and while there he played on the school football team . Although he was smaller than the other players and the coach was afraid he would get hurt , he did fairly well . The next year he was not accepted back to Depauw and his father sent him to yet another school , much farther from home , along with his brother . Norwich University in Northfield , Vermont , was a military school and did not tolerate Hirams pranks and troublemaking . After the first couple months he planned to leave but was convinced to stay by his brother Braxton . He played football and again found himself in trouble several times and on one occasion threw a potato at a waiter in the messhall . He liked wearing the school uniform and his weapon , but he frequently dropped it in formation when he became angry at the drill sergeant . Hiram and his brother made it through the first year at Norwich and a second as well but at the age of 21 Hiram had enough of school and was looking for something more adventurous . Military career . During World War I , Bearss served in France with the 4th Marine Brigade , and commanded the 102nd Infantry at Marcheville in 1918 , for which he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross . Death . Bearss died August 28 , 1938 , in an automobile collision in Columbia City , Indiana , while en route from Chicago to Peru , Indiana . He was buried there in Mount Hope Cemetery . Awards and honors . Military decorations . Bearss received 19 military decorations in his 22 years service including several for his actions in combat . These include decorations from the United States and other countries . From the United States he received the Medal of Honor , Distinguished Service Cross , Navy Distinguished Service Medal and the Army Distinguished Service Medal . In addition to these decorations he also received awards from other countries for his conduct in battle from France , Belgium and Italy . From France he received the Légion d ' honneur officer class and the Fourragère . He also received the silver Croix de guerre with two palms from France as well as the Croix de guerre from Italy and Belgium . He also received campaign medals for the various wars and battles he fought in which included the Navy Expeditionary Medal with three numerals , Spanish Campaign Medal , Philippine Campaign Medal , Mexican Service Medal , Dominican Campaign Medal , World War I Victory Medal with battle clasps for Aisne , Aisne - Marne and St . Mihiel and the Meuse - Argonne defensive clasp . Medal of Honor citation . The President of the United States takes pleasure in the name of The Congress in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to COLONEL HIRAM I . BEARSS UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS for service in Samar , P . I . , as set forth in the following CITATION : For extraordinary heroism and eminent and conspicuous conduct in battle at the junction of the Cadacan and Sohoton Rivers , Samar , P . I . , November 17 , 1901 . Colonel Bearss , then Captain , second in command of the column upon their uniting ashore in the Sohoton region , made a surprise attack on the fortified cliffs and capturing and destroying a powder magazine , 40 lantacas ( guns ) , rice , food and cuartels . Due to his courage , intelligence , discrimination and zeal , he successfully led his men up the cliffs [ by ] means of bamboo ladders to a height of 200 feet . The cliffs were of soft stone of volcanic origin , in the nature of pumice and were honeycombed with caves . Tons of rocks were suspended in platforms held in position by vine cables ( known as bejuco ) in readiness to be precipitated upon people below . After driving the insurgents from their position which was almost impregnable , being covered with numerous trails lined with poisoned spears , pits , etc . , he led his men across the river , scaled the cliffs on the opposite side , and destroyed the camps there . He and the men under his command overcame incredible difficulties and dangers in destroying positions which according to reports from old prisoners , had taken three years to perfect , were held as a final rallying point , and were never before penetrated by white troops . Captain Bearss also rendered distinguished public service in the presence of the enemy at Quinapundan River , Samar , P . I . , on January 19 , 1902 . / S / H . J . ROOSEVELT Distinguished Service Cross . Citation : The President of the United States of America , authorized by Act of Congress , July 9 , 1918 , takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Colonel Hiram Iddings Bearss ( MCSN : 0 - 1102 ) , United States Marine Corps , for extraordinary heroism while attached to the 102d Infantry Regiment ( Army ) , 26th Division , A . E . F . , in action at Marcheville and Riaville , France , 26 September 1918 . Colonel Bearss ' indomitable courage and leadership led to the complete success of the attack by two battalions of his regiment on Marcheville and Riaville . During the attacks these two towns changed hands four times , finally remaining in our possession until the troops were ordered to withdraw . Under terrific machine - gun and artillery fire , Colonel Bearss was the first to enter Marcheville , where he directed operations . Later , upon finding his party completely surrounded , he personally assisted in fighting the enemy off with pistol and hand grenades . Army Distinguished Service Medal . Citation : The President of the United States of America , authorized by Act of Congress , July 9 , 1918 , takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Colonel Hiram Iddings Bearss ( MCSN : 0 - 1102 ) , United States Marine Corps , for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States , in a duty of great responsibility during World War I . Colonel Bearss commanded with distinction the 102d Infantry Regiment , 26th Division , achieving notable success in the active operations in which that regiment was engaged . By his untiring energy and dauntless courage in overcoming the numerous difficulties confronting him , he gave proof of military leadership of high order . Navy Distinguished Service Medal . Citation : The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Colonel Hiram Iddings Bearss ( MCSN : 0 - 1102 ) , United States Marine Corps , for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services . Colonel Bearss commanded with distinction the 102d Infantry Regiment ( Army ) , 26th Division , achieving notable success in the active operations in which that regiment was engaged . By his untiring energy and dauntless courage in overcoming the numerous difficulties confronting him , he gave proof of military leadership of high order . USS Bearss . The United States Navy named a " Fletcher " - class destroyer in his honor . The was launched on July 25 , 1943 by Gulf Shipbuilding Corporation of Chickasaw , Alabama . The ship was sponsored by General Bearss widow and commissioned April 12 , 1944 .