List of Medal of Honor recipients (Veracruz) facts for kids

The United States took control of the Mexican port city of Veracruz for seven months in 1914. This happened because the relationship between Mexico and the U.S. was very bad. Mexico was also going through its own big conflict, called the Mexican Revolution.

The trouble started with something called the Tampico Affair. After this event, U.S. President Woodrow Wilson told the U.S. Navy to get ready to take over Veracruz. While he waited for permission from the U.S. Congress, President Wilson learned that Germany was sending weapons to Victoriano Huerta, who was a leader in Mexico. These weapons were supposed to arrive in Veracruz on April 21. Because of this, Wilson immediately ordered the Navy to seize the port's customs office and stop the weapons from getting through.

What is the Medal of Honor?

The Medal of Honor is the highest award a member of the United States armed forces can receive. It was first created during the American Civil War. To earn this medal, a person must show amazing bravery and go above and beyond their normal duties, risking their own life while fighting an enemy of the United States. Because it's such a special award, it's often given to people after they have died.

Many Heroes at Veracruz

For the actions during the Veracruz occupation, a total of 63 Medals of Honor were given out. This included 1 to a soldier from the Army, 9 to members of the Marine Corps, and 53 to Navy personnel. The Secretary of the Navy, Josephus Daniels, specifically ordered that 56 of these medals be awarded for the Veracruz operation. This was the most Medals of Honor ever given for a single event, both before and since!

Brave People Who Earned the Medal

Here are some of the brave individuals who received the Medal of Honor for their actions during the Veracruz occupation. The notes in quotes come from their official award descriptions.

Image	Name	Service	Rank	Place of action	Date of action	Notes
	Anderson, Jr., EdwinEdwin Anderson, Jr.	Navy	Captain	Veracruz, Mexico	April 22, 1914	Showed amazing heroism in battle, leading the Second Seaman Regiment on April 22, 1914.
	Badger II, Oscar C.Oscar C. Badger II	Navy	Ensign	Veracruz, Mexico	April 21, 1914 – April 22, 1914	Led his company in fighting on both days.
—	Beasley, Harry C.Harry C. Beasley	Navy	Seaman	aboard USS Florida, Veracruz, Mexico	April 21, 1914	For "extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession." He later died while working as a police officer.
	Berkeley, Randolph C.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." He was a great leader of his battalion, showing courage and skill in leading his men.
—	Bishop, Charles FrancisCharles Francis Bishop	Navy	Quartermaster Second Class	aboard USS Florida, Veracruz, Mexico	April 21, 1914	For "extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession."
	Bradley, GeorgeGeorge Bradley	Navy	Chief Gunner's Mate	Veracruz, Mexico	April 21, 1914	For excellent service under fire as a leader of the ammunition party.
	Buchanan, AllenAllen Buchanan	Navy	Lieutenant Commander	Veracruz, Mexico	April 21, 1914 – April 22, 1914	"For distinguished conduct in battle, engagements of Veracruz, 21 – 22 April 1914."
	Butler, SmedleySmedley Butler	Marine Corps	Major	Veracruz, Mexico	April 22, 1914	"For distinguished conduct in battle, engagement of Veracruz, April 22, 1914." He later received a second Medal of Honor for actions in Haiti in 1915.
	Castle, Guy Wilkinson StuartGuy 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."
	Catlin, Albertus W.Albertus W. Catlin	Marine Corps	Major	Veracruz, Mexico	April 22, 1914	"For distinguished conduct in battle, engagement of Veracruz, April 22, 1914." He showed courage and skill in leading his men.
	Courts, George McCallGeorge McCall Courts	Navy	Lieutenant	Veracruz, Mexico	April 21, 1914 – April 22, 1914	"For distinguished conduct in battle, engagements of Veracruz, 21 – 22 April 1914."
—	Cregan, GeorgeGeorge Cregan	Navy	Coxswain	aboard USS Florida, Veracruz, Mexico	April 21, 1914	For "extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession" during the seizure of Veracruz.
—	Decker, Percy A.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."
	DeSomer, AbrahamAbraham DeSomer	Navy	Lieutenant	Veracruz, Mexico	April 21, 1914 – April 22, 1914	For "extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession."
—	Drustrup, NielsNiels Drustrup	Navy	Lieutenant	Veracruz, Mexico	April 21, 1914	For excellent service under fire when naval forces landed at Veracruz.
—	Dyer, Jesse FarleyJesse 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." He led his company with skill and courage.
—	Elliott, Middleton StuartMiddleton Stuart Elliott	Navy	Surgeon	Veracruz, Mexico	April 21, 1914 – April 22, 1914	"For distinguished conduct in battle, engagements of Veracruz, 21 – 22 April 1914."
	Fletcher, Frank FridayFrank Friday Fletcher	Navy	Rear Admiral	Veracruz, Mexico	April 21, 1914 – April 22, 1914	Directed the landing at Veracruz, Mexico.
	Fletcher, Frank JackFrank Jack Fletcher	Navy	Lieutenant	Veracruz, Mexico	April 21, 1914 – April 22, 1914	"For distinguished conduct in battle, engagements of Veracruz, 21 – 22 April 1914."
	Foster, Paul FrederickPaul Frederick Foster	Navy	Ensign	Veracruz, Mexico	April 21, 1914 – April 22, 1914	"For distinguished conduct in battle, engagements of Veracruz, 21 – 22 April 1914."
	Frazer, Hugh CarrollHugh Carroll Frazer	Navy	Ensign	Veracruz, Mexico	April 22, 1914	"For extraordinary heroism in battle, engagement of Veracruz, April 22, 1914."
	Fryer, Eli ThompsonEli 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."
	Gaujot, Julien Edmund VictorJulien 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.
	Gisburne, Edward A.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."
—	Grady, JohnJohn Grady	Navy	Lieutenant	Veracruz, Mexico	April 22, 1914	"For distinguished conduct in battle, engagement of Veracruz, April 22, 1914."
—	Harner, Joseph GabrielJoseph 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."
	Harrison, William KellyWilliam Kelly Harrison	Navy	Commander	Veracruz, Mexico	April 21, 1914 – April 22, 1914	"For distinguished conduct in battle, engagements of Veracruz, 21 – 22 April 1914."
	Hartigan, Charles ConwayCharles Conway Hartigan	Navy	Lieutenant	Veracruz, Mexico	April 22, 1914	"For distinguished conduct in battle, engagement of Veracruz, April 22, 1914."
—	Hill, Walter NewellWalter 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."
—	Hughes, John ArthurJohn 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."
	Huse, Harry M. P.Harry M. P. Huse	Navy	Captain	Veracruz, Mexico	April 21, 1914 – April 22, 1914	His first name was mistakenly listed as "Henry" on his award.
	Ingram, Jonas H.Jonas H. Ingram	Navy	Lieutenant	Veracruz, Mexico	April 22, 1914	For distinguished conduct in battle on April 22, 1914. He was noted for his skillful handling of artillery and machine-guns.
—	Jarrett, Berrie H.Berrie H. Jarrett	Navy	Seaman	aboard USS Florida, Veracruz, Mexico	April 21, 1914	Showed extraordinary heroism during the seizure of Veracruz.
	Johnston, Rufus ZenasRufus Zenas Johnston	Navy	Lieutenant Commander	Veracruz, Mexico	April 22, 1914	"For distinguished conduct in battle, engagement of Veracruz, April 22, 1914."
—	Langhorne, Cary DeVallCary DeVall Langhorne	Navy	Surgeon	Veracruz, Mexico	April 22, 1914	For carrying a wounded man while under heavy fire.
	Lannon, James PatrickJames Patrick Lannon	Navy	Lieutenant	Veracruz, Mexico	April 22, 1914	For extraordinary heroism. He helped a wounded man under heavy fire and was then badly wounded himself.
	Lowry, George M.George M. Lowry	Navy	Ensign	Veracruz, Mexico	April 21, 1914 – April 22, 1914	For distinguished conduct in battle. He was a great leader of his company. He was the last surviving recipient of this group.
—	McCloy, John C.John C. McCloy	Navy	Chief Boatswain	Veracruz, Mexico	April 22, 1914	For bravely leading 3 attacks along the Veracruz sea front, drawing Mexican fire and helping cruisers save men on shore. He was wounded but stayed at his post. This was his second Medal of Honor.
	McDonnell, Edward OrrickEdward Orrick McDonnell	Navy	Ensign	Veracruz, Mexico	April 21, 1914 – April 22, 1914	"For extraordinary heroism in battle." He set up a signal station to help troops and ships communicate while under constant fire.
	McNair, Jr., Frederick V.Frederick V. McNair, Jr.	Navy	Lieutenant	Veracruz, Mexico	April 22, 1914	For distinguished conduct in battle. He was an excellent leader of his battalion, showing courage and skill.
	Moffett, William A.William A. Moffett	Navy	Commander	USS Chester, harbor of Veracruz, Mexico	April 21, 1914 – April 22, 1914	For his leadership of USS Chester during a risky night landing.
	Neville, Wendell CushingWendell Cushing Neville	Marine Corps	Lieutenant Colonel	Veracruz, Mexico	April 21, 1914 – April 22, 1914	For distinguished conduct in battle.
—	Nickerson, Henry NehemiahHenry Nehemiah Nickerson	Navy	Boatswain's Mate Second Class	Veracruz, Mexico	April 21, 1914	For "extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession."
—	Nordsiek, Charles LuersCharles 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."
	Reid, George CroghanGeorge 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."
	Rush, William R.William R. Rush	Navy	Captain	Veracruz, Mexico	April 21, 1914 – April 22, 1914	For his bravery in battle in Veracruz, Mexico.
—	Schnepel, Fred JurgenFred 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."
—	Semple, RobertRobert Semple	Navy	Chief Gunner	Veracruz, Mexico	April 21, 1914	For excellent service under fire.
—	Sinnett, Lawrence C.Lawrence C. Sinnett	Navy	Seaman	aboard USS Florida, Veracruz, Mexico	April 21, 1914	For "extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession."
	Staton, AdolphusAdolphus Staton	Navy	Lieutenant	Veracruz, Mexico	April 22, 1914	"For distinguished conduct in battle, engagement of Veracruz, April 22, 1914."
	Stickney, Herman OsmanHerman Osman Stickney	Navy	Commander	Veracruz, Mexico	April 21, 1914 – April 22, 1914	"For distinguished conduct in battle, engagements of Veracruz, 21 – 22 April 1914."
	Townsend, Julius CurtisJulius Curtis Townsend	Navy	Lieutenant	Veracruz, Mexico	April 22, 1914	"For distinguished conduct in battle, engagement of Veracruz, April 22, 1914."
	Wainwright, Jr., RichardRichard Wainwright, Jr.	Navy	Lieutenant	Veracruz, Mexico	April 21, 1914 – April 22, 1914	"For distinguished conduct in battle, engagements of Veracruz, 21 – 22 April 1914."
—	Walsh, James A.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."
	Wilkinson, Theodore S.Theodore S. Wilkinson	Navy	Ensign	Veracruz, Mexico	April 21, 1914 – April 22, 1914	For his skillful and brave leadership of USS Florida's landing force.
	Zuiderveld, WilliamWilliam Zuiderveld	Navy	Hospital Apprentice First Class	Veracruz, Mexico	April 21, 1914	For "extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession."