Julien Edmund Victor Gaujot

Julien Edmond Victor Gaujot (born on October 22, 1874 in Eagle Harbor Township, Michigan, United States, died in 1938 in Williamson, West Virginia) was an Army Medal of Honor recipient.

He was the brother of Antoine. The Gaujot brothers are one of the five sets of brothers that received the Medal of Honor and the only pair to receive the Medal for actions in different wars. Both brothers also attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

Early life and school
Julien Edmond Victor Gaujot was born October 22, 1874 in Eagle Harbor, Michigan.

His father was a French-born mining engineer when he emigrated to Tamaqua, Pennsylvania. While there he met and married Susan Ellen McGuigan. The family eventually moved to Michigan and after that lived for a while in Ontario, Canada, before moving to Lynchburg, Virginia. In 1877 Julien's father, Ernest Gaujot, traveled to Japan to serve as general superintendent of mines.

In 1894, the family moved to what would become Mingo County, West Virginia.

In 1889 Julien enrolled in the Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College (now Virginia Tech) but left in 1890 before graduating and worked as a civil engineer.

Military career
Julien's brother, Antoine Gaujot, received the Medal of Honor for actions on December 19, 1899 as a United States Army corporal at the Battle of Paye near Mateo during the Philippine–American War. Julien, a regular army officer, became obsessed with his brother's achievement. Referring to Antoine, Julien said "He wears it for a watch fob, the damn civilian, I got to get me one of them things for myself if I bust." Julien Gaujot received the medal for actions on the Mexican border on April 13, 1911. He is the only soldier ever awarded the Medal for actions of a peacekeeping nature. In Douglas, Arizona, stray bullets from fighting among Mexican rebels and government troops caused American casualties. Infuriated, Julien mounted his beloved horse "Old Dick", and rode across the border into the teeth of the battle. He moved between the two groups of belligerents for an hour under heavy fire, eventually securing the safe passage of the Mexican government soldiers and American prisoners over the border to the United States. His actions saved five Americans taken prisoner by the Mexicans, 25 Mexican government soldiers, an unrecorded number of Mexican rebels, and averted further danger to those on the U.S. side of the border.

General Leonard Wood later said in referring to the incident that Julien's action warranted "either a court martial or a Medal of Honor." That Medal was approved November 23, 1912 and awarded by President William Howard Taft at the White House the following month, in one of the earliest White House presentations of the Medal of Honor. Julien served in the United States Army from 1897 to 1934 and participated in five major engagements: the Spanish-American War, Philippine–American War, Cuban Pacification, Mexican Border, and World War I.

Julien served as 1st Lieutenant, 2nd Squadron, F Co., 10th US Cavalry (one of the Buffalo Soldiers regiments), during their time in the Philippines. He retired from the Regular Army in 1934 with the rank of colonel.

Honors and awards
In addition to the Medal of Honor he received two bronze leaves on his service ribbon for action in two major World War I offensives.

Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Captain, Troop K, 1st U.S. Cavalry. Place and date: At Agua Prieta, Mexico, April 13, 1911. Entered service at: Williamson, W. Va. Birth: Keweenaw, Mich. Date of issue: November 23, 1912.

Citation:

Crossed the field of fire to obtain the permission of the rebel commander to receive the surrender of the surrounded forces of Mexican Federals and escort such forces, together with 5 Americans held as prisoners, to the American line.

Death
Julien died in Williamson, West Virginia on April 7, 1938 and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. His grave can be found in section 6, lot 8423-NH map grid V/W 22.5.