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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:
January 09, 1875 at Staunton, VA
Entered Service in the US
Marine Corps from Washington, DC
Earned
The Medal of Honor During the Mexican Campaign For heroism on
April 21 - 22, 1914 at Vera Cruz, Mexico
DIED: January
31, 1960 at the age of 85
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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. Major Randolph Berkeley commanded a battalion
of the landing forces through two days of combat, "exhibiting
cool judgment and courage, and his skill in handling his men
encountering and overcoming the machinegun and rifle fire down
Cinco de Mayo and parallel streets accounted for the small
percentage of the losses of marines under his command."
Though the United States occupied Vera Cruz for seven months
following the initial landing, the men who landed at Vera Cruz on
April 21 - 22 accomplished their mission in two days, and returned
to their vessels within the same week.
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