Boxer Rebellion Chinese Belt Buckle brought home from China by Captain Herbert Jay Hirshinger U.S.M.C.

[kanemono]

Here is a Chinese belt buckle brought home from China by Captain Herbert Jay Hirshinger. Hirshinger was commissioned Second Lieutenant, United States Marine Corps, on January 11, 1900. He was promoted to First Lieutenant on July, 23, 1900. Hirshinger was ordered to China as part of the China Relief Expedition and was on duty in China from August 22, 1900 to October 9, 1900. Lieutenant Hirshinger wrote an eight page, typed, single spaced, illustrated, letter to his father describing his experiences in Pekin, China. Hirshinger was promoted to Captain on December 7, 1903. He then served two tours of duty in the Philippines and at various posts in the United States and as commander of the Marine Guard on various United States Warships. He participated in the expedition to Panama in 1903-1905. Hirshinger then served with the Army of Cuban Pacification from June of 1907 to December of 1908. Captain Hirshinger was assigned to command the Marine Detachment on the U.S.S. Rhode Island on November 26, 1915. The Marine Detachment was temporarily assigned to foreign shore service in Santo Domingo. They sailed on the scout cruiser U.S.S. Salem for Santo Domingo on May 1, 1915. They transferred to the U.S.S. Sacramento and sailed to Puerto Plata, Santo Domingo on May 26, 1916. Captain Hirshinger landed with his Marine Detachment under fire from the rebel forces at Puerto Plata at 6:40 am on the morning of May 31, 1916. He was shot through the head by a sniper as he was disembarking the landing boat. He died at Puerto Plata, Santo Domingo on June 1, 1916. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.

[6th.MG.BN]

Wow, what a great China- Marine group. Love it.

Thanks for sharing.

Ken

[warguy]

Unbelievable grouping. I have seen it in other posts, but don’t remember reading the story about his service and death. I certainly don’t remember the buckle. What an incredibly historic regrouping. Thanks so much for sharing! 

[6th.MG.BN]

A buckle like this just sold on Mohawk Arms.

Ken

[Reforger]

Buckle looks German made.

[6th.MG.BN]

They were.

Ken

[katieony]

Really interesting and historic group!

[scottplen]

Wow very neat !

[JMcCulloch]

OMG! Super rare!