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TAPS
Fading light dims the sight,
And a star gems the sky,
Gleaming bright.
From afar drawing nigh,
Falls the night.
Day is done, gone the sun,
From the lake, From the hills,
From the sky.
All is well, safely rest,
God is nigh.
Then good night, Peaceful night,
Till the light of the dawn
Shineth bright,
God is near, do not fear,
Friend, good night. |
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BORN:
July 16, 1860 at Wilmington, NC
Entered Service in the US
Navy from Wilmington, NC
Earned
The Medal of Honor During the Mexican Campaign For heroism on
April 22, 1914 at Vera Cruz, Mexico
DIED: September
23, 1933 at the age of 73 |
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In an effort to
force out General Victoriano Huerta, who had seized the presidency
of Mexico in a bloody coup d' etat, President Woodrow Wilson sent
three Navy vessels to Vera Cruz under the command of Rear Admiral
Frank Friday Fletcher. On the morning of April 21 nearly 1,500
American combat troops were put ashore, and that night another
1,500 reinforcements landed. By noon on April 22nd the American
forces had taken control of the city. In the two day action
Fletcher lost 17 men killed, 63 wounded. The Mexicans had nearly
800 dead or wounded. Captain Edwin Anderson commanded the 2nd
Seaman Regiment (Bluejackets), marching them across the open space
in front of the Naval Academy and other buildings at Vera Cruz.
When the enemy unexpectedly opened fire with rifles, machine guns,
and one-pound artillery, part of his command broke and fell back,
suffering many casualties. With courageous indifference to the
heavy fire, he continued to command his men, re-organizing the
regiment while at the forefront of the action. |
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