The United States occupation of the Mexican port of Veracruz lasted for seven months in 1914 and occurred in the midst of poor diplomatic relations between Mexico and the United States, related to the ongoing Mexican Revolution.
In response to the Tampico Affair, President Woodrow Wilson ordered the U.S. Navy to prepare for the occupation of the port of Veracruz. While waiting for authorization of Congress to carry out such action, Wilson was alerted to a German delivery of weapons for Victoriano Huerta due to arrive to the port on April 21. As a result, Wilson issued an immediate order to seize the port's customs office and confiscate the weaponry.
The Medal of Honor was created during the American Civil War and is the highest military decoration presented by the United States government to a member of its armed forces. The recipient must have distinguished themselves at the risk of their own life above and beyond the call of duty in action against an enemy of the United States. Due to the nature of this medal, it is commonly presented posthumously.[1]
Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels ordered that 56 Medals of Honor be awarded to participants in the occupation of Veracruz, the most for any single action before or since. In total 63 Medals of Honor were received for actions during the occupation; 1 Army, 9 to members of the United States Marine Corps and 53 to Navy personnel.[2]
Recipients
- Note: Notes in quotations are derived or are copied from the official Medal of Honor citation
| Image | Name | Service | Rank | Place of action | Date of action | Notes[3] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Edwin Anderson, Jr. | Navy | Captain | Veracruz, Mexico | April 22, 1914 | Showed extraordinary heroism in battle, during the engagement of Veracruz, April 22, 1914, in command of the Second Seaman Regiment |
 | Oscar C. Badger II | Navy | Ensign | Veracruz, Mexico | April 21, 1914 – April 22, 1914 | Led his men in both days' fighting at the head of his company |
— | Harry C. Beasley | Navy | Seaman | aboard USS Florida, Veracruz, Mexico | April 21, 1914 | For "extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession". Later killed in the line of duty as a police officer |
 | Randolph C. Berkeley | Marine Corps | Major | Veracruz, Mexico | April 21, 1914 – April 22, 1914 | "For distinguished conduct in battle, engagements of Veracruz, 21 – 22 April 1914"; was eminent and conspicuous in command of his battalion; was in the fighting of both days, and exhibited courage and his skill in leading his men through action. His cool judgment and courage and his skill in handling his men in encountering and overcoming the machine gun and rifle fire down Cinco de Mayo and parallel streets accounts for the small percentage of the losses of Marines under his command. |
— | Charles Francis Bishop | Navy | Quartermaster Second Class | aboard USS Florida, Veracruz, Mexico | April 21, 1914 | For "extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession" |
.jpg) | George Bradley | Navy | Chief Gunner's Mate | Veracruz, Mexico | April 21, 1914 | For meritorious service under fire as leader of the ammunition party and special details |
 | Allen Buchanan | Navy | Lieutenant Commander | Veracruz, Mexico | April 21, 1914 – April 22, 1914 | "For distinguished conduct in battle, engagements of Veracruz, 21 – 22 April 1914" |
 | Smedley Butler | Marine Corps | Major | Veracruz, Mexico | April 22, 1914 | "For distinguished conduct in battle, engagement of Veracruz, April 22, 1914". Later received a second Medal of Honor for actions in Haiti in 1915. |
 | Guy Wilkinson Stuart Castle | Navy | Lieutenant | Veracruz, Mexico | April 21, 1914 – April 22, 1914 | "For distinguished conduct in battle, engagements of Veracruz, 21 – 22 April 1914" |
 | Albertus W. Catlin | Marine Corps | Major | Veracruz, Mexico | April 22, 1914 | "For distinguished conduct in battle, engagement of Veracruz, April 22, 1914". He exhibited courage and skill in leading his men through the action and in the final occupation of the city. |
 | George McCall Courts | Navy | Lieutenant | Veracruz, Mexico | April 21, 1914 – April 22, 1914 | "For distinguished conduct in battle, engagements of Veracruz, 21 – 22 April 1914" |
— | George Cregan | Navy | Coxswain | aboard USS Florida, Veracruz, Mexico | April 21, 1914 | On board USS Florida, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession during the seizure of Veracruz, Mexico, April 21, 1914. |
— | Percy A. Decker | Navy | Boatswain's Mate Second Class | aboard USS Florida, Veracruz, Mexico | April 21, 1914 | For "extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession" |
 | Abraham DeSomer | Navy | Lieutenant | Veracruz, Mexico | April 21, 1914 – April 22, 1914 | For "extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession" |
— | Niels Drustrup | Navy | Lieutenant | Veracruz, Mexico | April 21, 1914 | For meritorious service under fire on the occasion of landing of the naval forces at Veracruz, Mexico, on April 21, 1914 |
— | Jesse Farley Dyer | Marine Corps | Captain | Veracruz, Mexico | April 21, 1914 – April 22, 1914 | "For distinguished conduct in battle, engagements of Veracruz, 21 – 22 April 1914"; was in both days fighting at the head of his company, and was eminent and conspicuous in his conduct, leading his men with skill and courage. |
— | Middleton Stuart Elliott | Navy | Surgeon | Veracruz, Mexico | April 21, 1914 – April 22, 1914 | "For distinguished conduct in battle, engagements of Veracruz, 21 – 22 April 1914" |
 | Frank Friday Fletcher | Navy | Rear Admiral | Veracruz, Mexico | April 21, 1914 – April 22, 1914 | Directed the landing at Veracruz, Mexico |
 | Frank Jack Fletcher | Navy | Lieutenant | Veracruz, Mexico | April 21, 1914 – April 22, 1914 | "For distinguished conduct in battle, engagements of Veracruz, 21 – 22 April 1914" |
 | Paul Frederick Foster | Navy | Ensign | Veracruz, Mexico | April 21, 1914 – April 22, 1914 | "For distinguished conduct in battle, engagements of Veracruz, 21 – 22 April 1914" |
 | Hugh Carroll Frazer | Navy | Ensign | Veracruz, Mexico | April 22, 1914 | "For extraordinary heroism in battle, engagement of Veracruz, April 22, 1914" |
 | Eli Thompson Fryer | Marine Corps | Captain | Veracruz, Mexico | April 21, 1914 – April 22, 1914 | "For distinguished conduct in battle, engagements of Veracruz, 21 – 22 April 1914" |
 | Julien Edmund Victor Gaujot | Army | Captain | Aqua Prieta, Mexico | April 13, 1911 | Brother of Antoine A. M. Gaujot, also a Medal of Honor recipient. One of five pairs of brothers to have both received the Medal of Honor. |
 | Edward A. Gisburne | Navy | Electrician Third Class | aboard USS Florida, Veracruz, Mexico | April 21, 1914 – April 22, 1914 | For "extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession" |
— | John Grady | Navy | Lieutenant | Veracruz, Mexico | April 22, 1914 | "For distinguished conduct in battle, engagement of Veracruz, April 22, 1914" |
— | Joseph Gabriel Harner | Navy | Boatswain's Mate Second Class | aboard USS Florida, Veracruz, Mexico | April 21, 1914 | For "extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession" |
 | William Kelly Harrison | Navy | Commander | Veracruz, Mexico | April 21, 1914 – April 22, 1914 | "For distinguished conduct in battle, engagements of Veracruz, 21 – 22 April 1914" |
 | Charles Conway Hartigan | Navy | Lieutenant | Veracruz, Mexico | April 22, 1914 | "For distinguished conduct in battle, engagement of Veracruz, April 22, 1914" |
— | Walter Newell Hill | Marine Corps | Captain | Veracruz, Mexico | April 21, 1914 – April 22, 1914 | "For distinguished conduct in battle, engagements of Veracruz, 21 – 22 April 1914" |
— | John Arthur Hughes | Marine Corps | Captain | Veracruz, Mexico | April 21, 1914 – April 22, 1914 | "For distinguished conduct in battle, engagements of Veracruz, 21 – 22 April 1914" |
 | Harry M. P. Huse | Navy | Captain | Veracruz, Mexico | April 21, 1914 – April 22, 1914 | First name erroneously given as "Henry" on citation |
 | Jonas H. Ingram | Navy | Lieutenant | Veracruz, Mexico | April 22, 1914 | For distinguished conduct in battle, engagement of Veracruz, April 22, 1914. During the second day's fighting the service performed by him was eminent and conspicuous. He was conspicuous for skilful and efficient handling of the artillery and machine-guns of the Arkansas battalion, for which he was specially commended in reports. |
— | Berrie H. Jarrett | Navy | Seaman | aboard USS Florida, Veracruz, Mexico | April 21, 1914 | On board USS Florida Jarrett displayed extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession during the seizure of Veracruz, Mexico, April 21, 1914. |
 | Rufus Zenas Johnston | Navy | Lieutenant Commander | Veracruz, Mexico | April 22, 1914 | "For distinguished conduct in battle, engagement of Veracruz, April 22, 1914" |
— | Cary DeVall Langhorne | Navy | Surgeon | Veracruz, Mexico | April 22, 1914 | For carrying a wounded man while under heavy fire. |
 | James Patrick Lannon | Navy | Lieutenant | Veracruz, Mexico | April 22, 1914 | For extraordinary heroism in battle, engagement of Veracruz, April 22, 1914. Lt. Lannon assisted a wounded man under heavy fire, and after returning to his battalion was himself desperately wounded. |
 | George M. Lowry | Navy | Ensign | Veracruz, Mexico | April 21, 1914 – April 22, 1914 | For distinguished conduct in battle, engagements of Veracruz, 21 – 22 April 1914; Ens. Lowry was in both days' fighting at the head of his company, and was eminent and conspicuous in his conduct, leading his men with skill and courage. Last surviving recipient. |
— | John C. McCloy | Navy | Chief Boatswain | Veracruz, Mexico | April 22, 1914 | For heroism in leading 3 attacks along Veracruz sea front, drawing Mexican fire and enabling cruisers to save our men on shore, April 22, 1914. Though wounded, he gallantly remained at his post. Second award – previously awarded a Medal of Honor for action in the Boxer Rebellion. |
 | Edward Orrick McDonnell | Navy | Ensign | Veracruz, Mexico | April 21, 1914 – April 22, 1914 | "For extraordinary heroism in battle, engagements of Veracruz, 21 – 22 April 1914". Established a signal station to ensure communication between troops and ships whilst under continual fire at an exposed post.[4] |
 | Frederick V. McNair, Jr. | Navy | Lieutenant | Veracruz, Mexico | April 22, 1914 | For distinguished conduct in battle engagement of Veracruz, April 22, 1914. Lt. McNair was eminent and conspicuous in command of his battalion. He exhibited courage and skill in leading his men through the action and in the final occupation of the city. |
 | William A. Moffett | Navy | Commander | USS Chester, harbor of Veracruz, Mexico | April 21, 1914 – April 22, 1914 | For his leadership of USS Chester in a daring and dangerous night landing in 1914 at Veracruz, Veracruz, Mexico |
 | Wendell Cushing Neville | Marine Corps | Lieutenant Colonel | Veracruz, Mexico | April 21, 1914 – April 22, 1914 | For distinguished conduct in battle engagements of Veracruz 21 – 22 April 1914 |
— | Henry Nehemiah Nickerson | Navy | Boatswain's Mate Second Class | Veracruz, Mexico | April 21, 1914 | For "extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession" |
— | Charles Luers Nordsiek | Navy | Ordinary Seaman | aboard USS Florida, Veracruz, Mexico | April 21, 1914 – April 22, 1914 | For "extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession" |
.jpg) | George Croghan Reid | Marine Corps | Major | Veracruz, Mexico | April 21, 1914 – April 22, 1914 | "For distinguished conduct in battle, engagements of Veracruz, 21 – 22 April 1914" |
 | William R. Rush | Navy | Captain | Veracruz, Mexico | April 21, 1914 – April 22, 1914 | For his bravery in battle in Veracruz Mexico |
— | Fred Jurgen Schnepel | Navy | Ordinary Seaman | aboard USS Florida, Veracruz, Mexico | April 21, 1914 – April 22, 1914 | For "extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession" |
— | Robert Semple | Navy | Chief Gunner | Veracruz, Mexico | April 21, 1914 | For meritorious service under fire |
— | Lawrence C. Sinnett | Navy | Seaman | aboard USS Florida, Veracruz, Mexico | April 21, 1914 | For "extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession" |
 | Adolphus Staton | Navy | Lieutenant | Veracruz, Mexico | April 22, 1914 | "For distinguished conduct in battle, engagement of Veracruz, April 22, 1914" |
 | Herman Osman Stickney | Navy | Commander | Veracruz, Mexico | April 21, 1914 – April 22, 1914 | "For distinguished conduct in battle, engagements of Veracruz, 21 – 22 April 1914" |
 | Julius Curtis Townsend | Navy | Lieutenant | Veracruz, Mexico | April 22, 1914 | "For distinguished conduct in battle, engagement of Veracruz, April 22, 1914" |
 | Richard Wainwright, Jr. | Navy | Lieutenant | Veracruz, Mexico | April 21, 1914 – April 22, 1914 | "For distinguished conduct in battle, engagements of Veracruz, 21 – 22 April 1914" |
— | James A. Walsh | Navy | Seaman | aboard USS Florida, Veracruz, Mexico | April 21, 1914 – April 22, 1914 | For "extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession" |
 | Theodore S. Wilkinson | Navy | Ensign | Veracruz, Mexico | April 21, 1914 – April 22, 1914 | For his skillful and courageous leadership of USS Florida's landing force and his exhibition of "eminent and conspicuous" conduct. |
 | William Zuiderveld | Navy | Hospital Apprentice First Class | Veracruz, Mexico | April 21, 1914 | For "extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession" |
Notes
References
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Army Center of Military History.
- "Who's Who list of Marines". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on February 19, 2007. Retrieved July 24, 2008.
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