Newark evening star and Newark advertiser., 1914-06-08
AMONG
VERA CRUZ HEROES
Commended for Bravery in Re-
port of Admiral
Fletcher.

WASHINGTON, June 8.-Narra
tives of the bravery of enlisted men
of the navy and marine corps dur
ing the fighting at Vera Cruz or
April q and 20 were included in Rear
Admiral Fletcher's report of the
Mexican ports seizure, made public
today by the navy department. While
the report bestows praise on the en-
tire personnel the following New
Jersey men were mentioned for con-
spicuous acts:
F. E. Norman, Butler, N. j., cox
swain, battleship Utah. With r. E.
England and Copeland and two or
three other men occupied a position
on the rear of the roof of the Hotel
Mexico that was under a severe fire
from the church tower Diligencias
and Universal hotels, and tower of
the Municipal building. Three men
were wounded here in about ten min
utes. Norman's example to others
under trying conditions, as well as
his own well-directed fire, prevented
any slackening of our own fire at this
time Gieutenant Castle).
A. O'Neill, Elizabeth, N. j., chief
boatswain's mate, battleship Arkan-
sas. In the absence of the chief of
section (Ensign w. A. Richardson)
he was in charge of the three field
pieces. At the corner Of San Fran
cisco, Canal and Zaragoza streets,
where our greatest resistance was en-
countered, and when we were receiv-
ing heavy crossfire from a house
midway between Zaragoza and Inde-
pendencia, O'Neill, under fire, quickly
got his field piece into action, setting
fine example of bravery to the re-
mainder of the section and soon ST.
fenced the opposition (Lieutenant
Commander Keating).
]. j. Mclaughlin, Jersey City, N.
j., boatswain's mate, second class,
battleship Utah. He was in charge
of squad that battered in the doors
of the Hotel Mexico. A man at
tempted to block the door upon en-
tering. He, with Seaman England,
led the way to the roof and were
fred on from the head of the
stairs. After gaining the roof he
broke into a small structure, which
was under fire from the church dome.
Diligencias Hotel, and the tower of
the Municipal building. Later he was
in charge of a squad on the seaward
side of the roof that was under a fire
that could not be located for about
an hour. He set an excellent exam
pie for the men of his squad Nieu-
tenant Castle).
]. H. Risacher, Paterson, N. j.,
boatswain's mate, second class, bat
tleship New Hampshire. Picked up
and carried wounded man from in
Ano n
of safety under a heavy fire and at
once returned to his position on the
firing line Captain Anderson).
"Resourcefulness, courage and de-
yotion to duty of all officers of the
landing force was everything that
could be desired and reflected the
highest credit upon our naval
service" declared Rear r-Admiral
Fletcher.
Numerous officers of the navy and
the marine corps who distinguished
themselves for cool indifference to
danger and skill in handling their
men were named for special honor In
the report. Three were picked for
eminent and conspicuous conduct In
battle" They were:
Captain w. r. Rush, U. s. N. Com
manding naval brigade.
Lieutenant Colonel w. G. Neville,
u. S. NJ. c. Commanding Second
regiment marines.
Lieutenant Commander A. Buch-
anan, U. S. n. Commanding First
Seaman regiment.
"They are deserving of the highest
honors and rewards" stated Admiral
Fletcher. "These officers were in
both days fighting and were almost
continually under fire from soon after
10 ah
until we were in full possession of the
city, about noon on the 22d. Their
duties required them to be at points
of great danger in directing their off,
GERS and men, and they exhibited
conspicuous courage, GOODNESS and
skill in their conduct of the fighting.
Upon their courage and skill, more
than upon that of any others. depend
ed success or failure. Their respon-
sibilities were greatest and they met
them by conduct eminent and con-
spicuous in the battle.
II have similarly to record the con-
duct of Major r. C. Berkeley, u. s.
M. c.; Lieutenant r. Wainwright, u.
s. NJ; Major G. S. Reid. U. S. M c.;
Lieutenant G. w. s. Castle, Z. s. N.
"They were eminent and conspicu-
Gus in command of their battalions.
These officers were in the fighting of
both days and exhibited courage and
skill in leading their men through the
action. Lieutenant Wainwright and
Lieutenant Castle, in seiZing the Gus
tom house, encountered for many
hours the heaviest and most perni-
cious concealed fire of the first day,
but their courage and GOODNESS under
trying conditions were marked. The
cool judgment and courage of Major
Berkeley and Major Reid and their
skill in handling their men in en-
countering and overcoming the ma
chine gun and rife fire down Cinco de
Mayo and parallel streets, accounts
for the small percentage of the losse"
of marines in their command.
During the two days action, Cc
tain H. Mel. P. Huse, u. S. N; Lie
tenant G.. M. Courts, u. S. N; Lie
tenant F. J. Fletcher, U. S. NJ. wei
under fire, and were eminent an,
conspicuous in the performance OF
their duties. Captain Huse was in
defatigable in his labors of most