New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-06-08
OFFICERS A CREDIT,
REPORTS FLETCHER
Rear Admiral Unstinted in
Praise to the Navy
Department.
MANY ARE NAMED
FOR SPECIAL HONOR
CAPTURE of Vera Cruz Shown in
Document to Have Called for
Rare HeroiSm.

Washington, June 7.-"Resourcefuiness'
courage and devotion to duty Of all on,-
GERS of the landing force were all that
could be desired and reflected the highest
credit upon our naval service" declares
Rear Admiral Fletcher In a report ac-
complaining his story Of the seizure OF
Vera Cruz, made public to-day by the
Navy Department
Numerous officers Of the navy and the
marine corps who distinguished them
selves for indifference to danger and skili
in handling their men are named for spe-
cial honor in the report Three are picked
for eminent and conspicuous conduct In
battle They are:
Captain w. r. Rush. L. S. ~, COM
manding Naval Eiigode.
Lieutenant Coo ". c. Neville, L. S.
NJ c.. commando. "a Regiment Marines
Lieutenant Commander a. Buchanan.
T. s. N, commanding lst Seaman Regi-
ment.
Deserve Highest Honors.
They are deserving of the highest hon
ors and rewards" states Admiral Fletcher.
These officers were in both days fighting
and were almost continually under fire
from soon after the landing, about noon
on the 2lst. until we were in full possession
Of the city, about noon on the 90. Their
duties required them to Re at points OF
great danger in directing their officers
and men. and they exhibited conspicuous
courage, GOODNESS and skill in their con-
and skill more than upon that Of any
others depended success or failure. Their
responsibilities were greatest. and they
met them by conduct eminent and con-
spicuous in the battle.
Il have similarly to record the conduct
of Major r. c. Berkeley. u. S. NJ. c.;
Lieutenant r. Wainwright. L. S. N; Ma
J jor G. s. Reid. L. S. NJ. c., and Leuten-
ant G.. w. S. Castle, L. s. n.
They were eminent and conspicuous in
command Of their battalions. Lieutenant
Wainwright and Lieutenant Castle. in
Selling the custom house encountered
for many hours the heaviest and most
pernicious concealed fire OF the first day,
but their courage and GOODNESS under try
ing conditions were marked The cool
judgment and courage Of Major Berkeley
and Major Reid and their skill In handling
their men in encountering and overcoming
the machine gun and rifle fire down Cinco
de Mayo and parallel streets account for
the small percentage Of the losses of ma
rines in their command"
Refugee Ship in Danger.
The report says that Lieutenant Fetch
er, in charge Of the Esperanza which
was struck more than thirty times. sue
ceeded in getting 80 refugees on board
and placed in. safety.
Later he was placed in charge of the
train conveying refugees under a flag OF
truce" adds the report This was haz-
srdous duty, as it was believed the track
was mined. Moreover a small error I'm
dealing with the Mexican guard of SOL
diers might readily have caused a conflict
II was greatly due TO his efforts in es-
tablishing friendly relations with the
Mexican officers that so many refugees
succeeded in reaching Vera Cruz from
the interior"
Chief Boatswain John McCloy, u. s.
| N. led fiotilla OF three picket launches
mounting one-pounders along the sea-
front of Vera Cruz in front OF the naval
school and custom house." adds Rear Ad-
miral Fletcher. 'The launches drew the
combined fire OF the Mexicans In that vi
! cnity and thus enabled the cruisers 10
shell them out temporarily and save our
men on shore The conduct of Chief
| Boatswain McCloy was eminent and con-
/ spicuous and, although shot through the
thigh during this fire. he remained at his
post as beachmaster for forty-eight hours
until sent TO a hospital by the brigade
surgeon.
Handling Of Ships Praised.
Attention is invited to the conduct OF
Commander w. A. Moffett. OF the Ches-
ter; Commander F. o. Stickney. OF the
Prairie and Commander w. X. Harrison,