[3][4] Just a few weeks after his graduation from the Academy he was assigned as a 2nd lieutenant to the 9th Infantry Regiment, to serve in the Spanish–American War.He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions at the Battle of San Juan Hill, near Santiago, Cuba, on July 2, 1898, which he received on June 21, 1899.[1] Citation: Voluntarily left shelter and went, under fire, to the aid of a private of his company who was wounded.[5] He was a member of the Society of the Army of Santiago de Cuba and the Military Order of the Dragon.[5] His son, John C. Welborn, also attended West Point, rose to the rank of colonel, and commanded the United States Army's 33rd Armored Regiment during World War II.