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The city of Calumpit was a strategic enemy stronghold on the far bank of the Rio Grande de la Pampanga when Colonel Frederick Funston approached with his 1,000 Jayhawkers on April 27, 1899. The earthworks in the city were held by 3,000 rebel forces, whose general boasted "Calumpit will be the sepulcher of the Americans." Artillery failed to dislodge the rebel forces, and a crossing of the river via the nearby railroad bridge was deemed sheer suicide. In a daring tactical move, Colonel Funston and 45 men moved a quarter-mile down the river. There Private William Trembley and Private Edward White stripped their uniforms off and, under fire from the enemy, swam the river to fasten a rope to the occupied trenches. Colonel Funston, with eight men, then crossed the river on a raft by using this rope as a hand-pull, clearing the trenches to allow additional soldiers to cross the river and attack Calumpit from the rear. All three men were awarded the Medal of Honor for their courage in this critical river crossing. |
| William Trembley entered active duty in the U.S. Army from the Kansas National Guard. |
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