DOB/DOD: February 28, 1880 (Stamford, CT) – December 7, 1932 (Teaneck, NJ); 52 years old
MARITAL STATUS: Married to Augusta Bogen (1887-1921). Married to Eva M. Wintermute (1902-1975).
CHILDREN: Two daughters, Florence R. Rose Burton (1906-1969) and Anna (1908-?). One son, George H. (1911-1996).
FAMILY: Parent and sibling information were not found.
MEDAL OF HONOR CITATION
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS DURING: China Relief
BRANCH OF SERVICE: Navy
ASSIGNED TO: U.S.S. Newark
GENERAL ORDERS: War Department, General Orders No. 55 (July 19, 1901)
AGE ON THE DAYS OF THE EVENT: 20
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Seaman George Harry Rose, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in action in the presence of the enemy during the battles at Peking, China, 13, 20, 21 and 22 June 1900. Throughout this period, Seaman Rose distinguished himself by meritorious conduct. While stationed as a crewmember of the U.S.S. Newark, he was part of its landing force that went ashore off Taku, China. On 31 May 1900, he was in a party of six under John McCloy (MH), which took ammunition from the Newark to Tientsin. On 10 June 1900, he was one of a party that carried dispatches from LaFa to Yongstsum at night. On the 13th, he was one of a few who fought off a large force of the enemy, saving the Main baggage train from destruction. On the 20th and 21st, he was engaged in heavy fighting against the Imperial Army, being always in the first rank. On the 22nd, he showed gallantry in the capture of the Siku Arsenal. He volunteered to go to the nearby village, which was occupied by the enemy, to secure medical supplies urgently required. The party brought back the supplies carried by newly taken prisoners.
From The Courier-News (Plainfield, NJ) December 8, 1932
CAPT G.H. ROSE, MUNSON SKIPPER, COMMITS SUICIDE
TEANECK (AP) – A hero’s burial in Arlington Cemetery has been requested for Captain George H. Rose, skipper of the Munson liner Western World and retired naval officer who was decorated for bravery in the Boxer Rebellion.
His body was found yesterday in the bedroom of his home by his wife, Eva. A bullet had pierced his heart. Police said he committed suicide. Mrs. Rose said he had been long ill, and six weeks ago, a serious kidney ailment developed.
Born in Stamford, Connecticut, 52 years ago, Captain Rose enlisted in the Navy in 1898 and served three years. He was decorated with the Congressional Medal of Honor for bravery in carrying messages through Chinese lines in four battles in the Boxer Rebellion.
In 1901, he entered the merchant service and, in 1917, re-enlisted in the Navy, rising to the rank of Lieutenant in the World War and Lieutenant Commander in the reserve after the Armistice.
As pilot of the Pan-American on an emergency run from New York to Nassau made necessary by crippling the regular steamship on the run, Captain Rose rescued eighty-three passengers on January 20, 1929, from the Dollar Line vessel President Garfield, which had grounded in a fog on a reef off the Bahama Islands.
Captain Rose picked up the SOS at 7:30 a.m. when 200 miles away and steamed 90 miles of his course to transfer the passengers, mail, and baggage from the President Garfield to his ship before 5 p.m. the same day.
He entered the Munson service as a Captain in 1919. The Western World was to have sailed for South American ports on Saturday.
The widow and three children, George Jr., Anna, and Florence, survive.
Buried in Arlington National Cemetery, 1 Memorial Drive, Arlington, Virginia; Section 7, Grave 9978-ES. Photo by Jeff DeWitt.
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