Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-06-08
LAUDS
VERA CRUZ FORCE
Navy Commander Reports That
Courage of Officers in
Battle Was Great.
THREE SPECIALLY PRAISED
Chief Responsibility Was Theirs and
They Met II Successfully,
He Says.

/
sourcefulness, courage, and devotion
to duty of all officers of the landing
| force was everything that could be de-
sired and reflected the highest credit
upon our naval service" Rear Admiral
Fletcher declared in a report accom-
panying his story of the seizure of
Vera Cruz, made public yesterday by
the naval department.
Numerous officers of the navy and
the marine corps who distinguished
themselves for cool indifference to dan
ger and skill in handling their men
were named for special honor in the
rear admiral's report. Three were
picked for eminent and conspicuous
conduct in battle" They are:
Capt. w. r. Rush, U.S.N., command
ing naval brigade.
Lieut.. Col. w. c. Neville, u.S.M. c.,
commanding Second regiment of ma
rine.
Lieut. Commander A. Buchanan, U.
S.N., commanding First Seaman regi
ment
Fletcher Praises Officers.
"They are deserving Of the highest
honors and regards Rear Admiral
Fletcher said. These officers were In
both days fighting, and were almost
continually under fire from soon after
the landing, about noon on the 21st, IN
til we were in full possession of the
city, about noon on the ED. Their
duties required them to be at points
of great danger in directing their Off
GERS and men, and they exhibited con-
spicuous courage, GOODNESS, and skill in
their conduct of the fighting.
Upon their courage and skill, more
than upon that of any others, depended
success or failure. Their responsible
ties were greatest and they met them
by conduct eminent and conspicuous
in the battle.
Il have similarly to record the con-
duct of Maj. r. c. Berkeley, USING;
Lieut.. R. Wainwright, U.S.N.; Maj. G.
S. Reid, USING, and Lieut.. G.W.S.
Castle, U.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 Selling the Gus
tom house, encountered for many hours
the heaviest and most pernicious con-
cealed fire of the first day. but their
courage and GOODNESS under trying con-
ditions were marked.
1.-The cool judgment and courage of
Major Berkeley and Major Reid and
their skill in handling their men in
and overcoming the ma
chine gun and rife fire down Cinco de
the small percentage of losses of ma |
rines in their command.
Work for Truce Commended.
During the two days action Capt |
H. Mel. P. Huse, U.S.N N; Lieut.. G. NJ. |
Courts, U.S.N., and Lieut.. F. j. Fetch
er, US. N, were under fire and were |
eminent and conspicuous in the per
Torrance of their duties. Captain I
Huse was indefatigable in his labors,
Of a most important character, both
with the division commander in direct
ing affairs and in his efforts on shore
70 get in communication with the Mex
IAN authorities to avoid needlessly pro-
onging the conflict.
Lieutenant Courts had qualified
himself well by thorough study during
lis year on duty in Mexico to deal with
he conditions of this engagement, and
lis services were of great value to me.
lie twice volunteered and passed in an
open boat through the zone of fire to
convey important orders to the Ches-
er, then under a severe fire.
in oh
# the Esperanto and succeeded in
Getting on board over $50 refugee ),
many of them. after the conflict had
commenced. This ship was under fire,
icing struck more than 80 times, but
lie succeeded in getting all the refu-
ices placed in safety.
Later he was placed In charge of
he train conveying refugees under a
ag of truce. This was hazardous
uty, as it was believed the track was
mined, and a small error in dealing
nth the Mexican guard of soldiers
night readily have caused a conflict,
UGH a conflict at one time being mar
owly averted. 1t was greatly due to
is efforts in establishing friendly re-
atoms with the Mexican officers that
many icluBttb SutCSSutu III ISdCu- |
lg Vera Cruz from the interior
Led Their Men with Courage.
I'm both days fighting at the head
their companies Capt. J. n. Hughes.
.S.M.C.; Capt. W. n. Hill, USM.C.;
apt e. T. Fryer. USING; Capt. ]
. Dyer. USING: Ensign T. s. WIKI
ison, U.S.N.; Ensign G. NJ. Lowry, u. i,
N; Ensign o. c. Badger, US N, and
nsign p. w. Foster. U.S.N.. were en- !,
lent and conspicuous IN their conduct, +.
aiding their men with skill and cour-
&c.
Surgeon NJ s. Elliott. USN.. brig :.
lie surgeon. was eminent and con- :
,icuous in the efficient establishment
nd operation of the base hospital, and
Is cool Judgment and courage In
ipervising first aid stations on the
ring line and removing the wounded.
Chief Boatswain John McCloy, us.