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." Wood also overrode the recommendations of the Mobile Army Division of the General Staff as well as the Army's Judge Advocate General, who recommended that Gaujot was ineligible for the Medal of Honor due to the legal requirement that the qualifying act be "performed in action." 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 1898 to 1934 and participated in five major engagements: the Spanish–American War, Philippine–American War, Cuban Pacification, Mexican Border, and World War I. He retired from the Regular Army in 1934 with the rank of colonel. Military awards and other honors COL Gaujot's awards include the Medal of Honor and two campaign stars on his service ribbon for action in two major World War I offensives. Medal of Honor citation General Orders: Date of Issue: November 23, 1912 "The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to for service as set forth in the following CITATION: For extraordinary heroism in action on 13 April 1911, while serving with Troop K, 1st U.S. Cavalry, in action at Aqua Prieta, Mexico. Captain Gaujot 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 five Americans held as prisoners, to the American line. /S/ WILLIAM H. TAFT" Death Julien died in Radford, Virginia on April 7, 1938, and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. See also List of Medal of Honor recipients (Veracruz) Antoine August Michel Gaujot Notes References Virginia Tech Guidon, 2003 (Cadet Training Manual) United States Army Medal of Honor recipients American people of French descent Virginia Tech alumni