Battle of Guayacanas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Battle of Guayacanas |
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| Part of the Banana Wars | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 United States |
 Dominican Republic |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
 Holland Smith Joseph A. Glowin |
Desiderio Arias |
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| Strength | |||||||
| 800 marines 2+ machine guns |
80 militia | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 2 killed 10 wounded |
27 killed 5 captured |
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The Battle of Guayacanas was a fight on 3 July 1916. It happened between Dominican rebels and the United States. This battle was part of the United States occupation of the Dominican Republic.
Dominican fighters had dug trenches on two hills. These hills blocked the way to the city of Santiago. They used single-shot rifles against the Americans' automatic weapons. The American forces eventually pushed them back. Corporal Joseph A. Glowin received the Medal of Honor for his brave actions in this battle.
Why the Battle Happened
The United States was worried about Germany during World War I. They feared Germany might use the Dominican Republic as a base. Because of these worries, the U.S. government decided to send its military to occupy the country in 1916.
Dominican rebels, who were not as well-armed, tried to fight the U.S. Marines. They wanted to stop the occupation. One of the first battles happened at a place called "Las Trincheras," meaning "the trenches." The Dominicans even called this strong defense "Verdun."
The Marines used large guns called field artillery to bomb the trenches. They also used machine guns behind their troops. This helped to keep the rebels' rifle fire down. Then, the Marines charged with bayonets to push the rebels out. The Marines lost five soldiers. They found no dead rebels or weapons in the trenches. However, they later found five rebel bodies in the nearby woods.
The Battle of Guayacanas
American troops marched towards Santiago City. This city was a center for the resistance. Colonel Pendelton's unit came under fire from Dominican soldiers, and the battle began.
At first, the Americans moving forward did not report any injuries. Corporal Glowin helped the U.S. Marines by firing his machine gun. He kept fighting even when he was forced to leave the battle. This brave act earned him the Medal of Honor, America's highest military award.
After Glowin left, Sergeant Roswell Winans brought more machine guns forward. This gave the Dominicans more targets to shoot at. The captain in charge of one gun position was killed. Others were wounded. Winans also received a medal. He kept firing a Colt machine gun even when it jammed. Soon, two more gun positions were set up. The Dominican fighters then ran away. The 27th and 29th American divisions chased them. They killed the enemy commander and defeated the Dominican rebels.
See also
In Spanish: Batalla de Guayacanas para niños
