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Henry Lewis Hulbert

First Lieutenant, United States Marine Corps

Henry Lewis Hulbert (January 12, 1867 - October 4, 1918) was a United States Marine who served during the Philippine-American War and World War I. As a private, he received the Medal of Honor for "distinguished conduct in the presence of the enemy at Samoa, Philippine Islands, April 1, 1899".





















Henry Lewis Hulbert was born  on January 12, 1867, in Kingston-Upon-Hull, Yorkshire, England. He was first child of a prosperous merchant, Henry Ernest Hulbert and Frances (Gamble) Hulbert, who later had another son and three daughters. None of the children  knew the want and deprivation that was the lot of so many children born into the industrial cities of the mid-19th century. Theirs was a childhood of an abundance that included a far better than average education.


Early Years

Young Henry Hulbert attended the exclusive Felsted School in Essex, a school that traces its origins to 1564.

At an early age he determined to have a career in Britain's Colonial Civil Service. In 1884, at the age of 18, Henry Lewis Hulbert received his first appointment of clerk and storekeeper in the Civil Service of the Malay State of Perak, which today is a part of the country of Malaysia.






















Henry Hulbert had a drive for excellence that was to mark the rest of his life. Hissuperior performance that soon caught the eyes of his supervisors. Among those impressed was Robert Douglas Hewett, state auditor for Perak and right-hand man of the British Governor, Frank Sweattenham.  It wasn't very long until Henry Hulbert was exercising authority and responsibility far beyond his years and doing it exceedingly well. Herhad assignments as

Inspector of Public Works in Krian, District Engineer for Kuala Kangsar, Harbor Master for the port of Matang, and District Magistrate for Kinta District.

He started courting Anne Rose Hewett, sister of Robert Hewett.  She had been born in Bombay, India. In June of 1888, with the approval and best wishes of the influential Hewett family, the two were married. A year later the young couple had a daughter, whom they named Sydney. It appeared to be a perfect family.

Henry Lewis Hulbert's career was taking off.  His own exceptional abilities and his marriage into a powerful family guaranteed his eventual rise to the top. He was admired and respected by his peers and favored by his superiors.


A Family Scandal

In the summer of 1897, it came to light that Henry Hulbert had been having a secret affair  with his wife's younger sister, for over two years. When they were discovered, The anger of the Hewett family was immense.























His sister-in-law was immediately put aboard a ship bound for England, and died in a shipwreck, during a storm, on the voyage to England. Henry Lewis Hulbert was banished. He was sent away with scarcely more than the clothes on his back, and was told to never return to the Malay States. A discreet and very quiet divorce took place.


Starting Over




















Henry Hulbert went to Skagway, Alaska. It was jumping off point for Chilkoot Pass and the Klondike gold fields. By spring he had was San Francisco, California. When it looked like the United States was going to war with Spain he enlisted in the Marine Corps on March 28, 1898, a 31-year-old private.

He went to boot camp at Mare Island, California, after which he was given an assignment to the Marine Guard, USS Philadelphia (C-4). A year after his enlistment, on April 1, 1899, during a combined British-American expedition in Samoa, Henry Lewis Hulbert was awarded the Medal of Honor for extraordinary heroism.


















When the landing force of British and American Marines and seamen was ambushed by a numerically superior rebel force, Private Hulbert, despite being wounded himself, conducted a one-man delaying action that enabled the landing force to withdraw to a defensible position covered by the guns of the warships offshore. Under fire from three sides, he stood his ground, refusing to withdraw until the main body had established a new defensive perimeter. Single-handedly he held off the attackers, while at the same time he protected two mortally wounded officers, Lieutenant Monaghan, USN and Lt Freeman, RN. In his official report of the action, Lt Constantine M. Perkins, commander of Philadelphia's Marine Guard, wrote of Pvt Hulbert: "His conduct throughout was worthy of all honor and praise."



























Henry Hulbert was then promoted to the rank of sergeant.

He served in a succession of billets, both ashore and afloat. that were representative of the era, he never missed an award of the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal and never fired less than Expert Rifleman in his regular service rifle requalification. His conduct and proficiency marks were uniformly the highest that could be awarded, and his service records contain numerous commendations by reporting seniors.

He was gained a reputation as a totally dependable non- commissioned officer, whose advice was sought by seniors and subordinates alike. A congenial and friendly man, whose knowledge and experience covered an array of subjects, and who delighted in good company and good conversation. He was described by a fellow Marine as having "the bearing and manners of a fine gentleman".  Even those who knew him best never heard him speak of his life before joining the Marine Corps.







































Henry Hulbert was then promoted to the rank of sergeant.

He served in a succession of billets, both ashore and afloat. that were representative of the era, he never missed an award of the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal and never fired less than Expert Rifleman in his regular service rifle requalification. His conduct and proficiency marks were uniformly the highest that could be awarded, and his service records contain numerous commendations by reporting seniors.

He was gained a reputation as a totally dependable non-commissioned officer, whose advice was sought by seniors and subordinates alike. A congenial and friendly man, whose knowledge and experience covered an array of subjects, and who delighted in good company and good conversation. He was described by a fellow Marine as having "the bearing and manners of a fine gentleman. Even those who knew him best never heard him speak of his life before joining the Marine Corps.


























The following are extracts from the endorsements of his commanding officers recommending him for promotion to commissioned rank:

    * Commanding officer, Sixty-sixth Company: "I can not too strongly support Gunner Hulbert's request...If the young lieutenants recently appointed had half of Mr. Hulbert's energy, professional knowledge, physical ability, or manner of handling men under him, the arduous duties which now devolve upon the average company commander would be materially simplified."

    * Battalion commander, First Battalion, Fifth Regiment: "Gunner Hulbert has proven conclusively, while attached to this battalion, that he is physically and professionally qualified to perform the duties of a commissioned officer. Nervously active, ambitious, zealous, always ready to help with valuable advice and original ideas, he is undoubtedly one of the most efficient officers in the service to-day."

    * Adjutant, First Battalion, Fifth Regiment: "As a young officer new to the service, I wish to state that Mr. Hulbert has helped me a great deal...I served in the same company with Mr. Hulbert and will not hesitate to say that he can hold his own with the younger officers from a physical standpoint...If the Fifth Regiment ever goes over the top I want to go over with Mr. Hulbert."

    * Regimental commander: "Marine Gunner Hulbert, United States Marine Corps, has given excellent service since I assumed command of this regiment. His energy, ability, and length of service merits his promotion to the rank of second lieutenant."

The Annual Report Secretary of the Navy (1917):     "Also, the provision that in making the temporary appointments as ensigns the maximum age limit shall be 50 years for commissioned warrant offices and warrant officers has prevented such appointments in the cases of a number of very deserving officers of those classes, and it is hoped that this restriction will be removed."

In this connection no more deserving case existed than that of Gunner Henry L. Hulbert. He was prevented from attaining commissioned rank by the fact that he was some five months ver the 50 years prescribed in the provision just alluded to.

After winning the approval of Gen  Barnett, with whom he had a long and close ssociation, Hulbert, again the Marine Corps' senior officer of his grade, sailed for France aboard the old transport Chaumont with the 5th Marines in July 1917.

In France his superiors tried to give him a safe job out of the way at regimental  headquarters. At every opportunity Henry Hulbert found his way up to the front lines and got into the fight. Finally,  Gunner HHenry ulbert was assigned as a platoon leader with the 66th Company (later C Co), 1st Bn, 5th Marines.

He was wounded in his regiment's first major engagement, at Belleau Wood on June 6, 1918. Gunner Henry Hulbert was twice cited in official orders for acts of bravery. On one occasion, armed only with a rifle, he single handedly attacked German machine gun positions and, as the citation read, "left seven of the enemy dead and put the remainder to flight."

The second citation commended him for continuing to lead his platoon in attacks that routed the defenders of a series of strong points despite being painfully wounded himself.The platoon leader who was old enough to be the father of the men he led, whose stamina and endurance were the envy of men half his age, was not quite finished.

A third act of heroism led him to be decorated with the distinguished Service Cross, one of the first Marines to be so recognized.  In his official report of the monthlong fighting in Belleau Wood, Army Major General Omar L. Bundy, commanding general of the 2d Division, United States Regular, in which the 5th Marines served as part of the famed Marine Brigade, singled out Hulbert, "for his extraordinary heroism in leading attacks against enemy positions on June 6th." General Bundy concluded, "No one could have rendered more valuable service than Gunner Hulbert."

General Omar L. Bundy was not alone in his praise. Captain George K. Shuler, USMC wrote, "I should be most glad to have Gunner Hulbert under me in any capacity, and should he through good fortune be promoted over me I should be most happy to serve under his command." Lt W. T. Galliford, himself a winner of the Distinguished Service Cross, remarked, "If the Fifth Regiment goes over the top, I want to go with Mister Hulbert." General John J. Pershing, commander of the American Expeditionary Force, personally recommended that Hulbert be directly commissioned as a Captain.

After having been approved by the Secretary of the Navy for promotion to the grade of Captain, Henry Lewis Hulbert, up front as usual, was struck down by an unknown German machine-gunner. John W. Thomason saw him fall and noted the peaceful look upon his face. He was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross and cited for bravery a fourth time.

The French government bestowed the Croix de Guerre Order of the Army upon this "most gallant soldier" Henry Lewis Hulbert.


























He was Britannia's son, who gave his life for his adopted land.

The name of Henry Lewis Hulbert is among those inscribed on the Peace Cross at Bladensburg, Maryland, that was erected in 1919 to honor the memory of the men from Prince George's County who died in the "Great War".





















Hulbert Lewis was buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia. His grave can be found in Section 3,  Lot 4309.


























Medals:

Medal of Honor
Navy Cross
Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart
Croix de guerre


On April 1, 1899, Marines from the U.S.S. Philadelphia went ashore at Samoa in the Philippine Islands, with Royal Marines from two British ships, to intervene in a dispute between two tribal leaders over succession to the Samoan throne. The Marines were ambushed, and Private Henry Hulbert was one of three Marines and one Navy Gunner's Mate to earn Medals of Honor for their heroism in the engagement precipitating withdrawal of the unit. Private Hulbert was cited for "distinguished conduct in the presence of the enemy."


Medal Of Honor

The President of the United Statesin the name ofThe Congresstakes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to

HENRY LEWIS HULBERT

Rank and organization:
Private,
U.S. Marine Corps.

Born:
January 12, 1867,
Kingston-upon-Hull, England.

Accredited to:
California.

G.O. No.: 55,
July 19, 1901.

Other Navy award:
Navy Cross.
















Citation:

For distinguished conduct in the presence of the enemy at Samoa, Philippine Islands, 1 April 1899.




Navy Cross:










Citation:

The Navy Cross is presented to Henry Lewis Hulbert, Gunner, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving with the 5th Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, A.E.F. in action at Chateau-Thierry, France, June 6, 1918.

Gunner Hulbert displayed extraordinary heroism during attack on the enemy's lines, during which time he constantly exposed himself to the enemy's fire without regard for personal danger, thereby assuring the delivery of supplies.



Distinguished Service Cross:














Citation:

Wounded in his regiment's first major engagement, at Belleau Wood on June 6, 1918, Gunner Hulbert was twice cited in official orders for acts of  bravery. On one occasion, armed only with a rifle, he single-handedly attacked German machine-gun positions and, as the citation read, "left seven of the enemy dead and put the remainder to flight."

The second citation commended him for continuing to lead his platoon in attacks that routed the defenders of a series of strong points despite being painfully wounded himself.

 *****






















On June 28, 1919, Victoria C. Hulbert, the widow of this inspirational Marine, christened the destroyer USS Henry L. Hulbert (DD-342) when it was launched at Norfolk, Virginia. Commissioned and put into service in 1920, the Hulbert served continually on the Asiatic Station until 1929 when she returned to American waters, remaining there until she was decommissioned in 1934.






















The Hulbert was recalled to service in 1940, and was assigned to the Pacific Fleet. On December 7, 1941, it was moored at Berth D-3, Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The Hulbert's whaleboats rescued seamen from stricken ships along Battleship Row. Her .50-caliber antiaircraft battery brought down a Japanese torpedo bomber and damaged two others.


















The ship continued to serve in the Central and North Pacific until she was taken to Philadelphia and decommissioned for the last time in November 1945. In 1946, the USS Henry L. Hulbert was stricken from the Navy List and sold for scrap.

The ship's bell was saved from the scrap heap. For more than 50 years that bell, along with others of its kind, mementos of long-gone ships of the line, collected dust in a warehouse at the Washington Navy Yard.

In July of 1998, thanks to the efforts of the Medal of Honor Society, the ship's bell of USS Henry L. Hulbert was rededicated at The Basic School's Infantry Officer Course at Quantico, Virginia. On the quarterdeck of Mitchell Hall, along with the decorations won by her ship's namesake, the ship's bell stands as a reminder of the exemplary qualities of a magnificent Marine for which it was named.



























What could be a better inspiration for young officers about to assume one of the Marine Corps' most demanding duties of an infantry platoon leader, than that of a a man whose dedication to duty and devotion to the Marine Corps continues to serve as an example many years after his death on the battlefield?