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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:
August 15, 1875 at Manchester, England
Entered Service in the US
Navy from North Dakota
Earned
The Medal of Honor During the Spanish-American War For heroism
on May 11, 1898 at Cienfuegos, Cuba
DIED: June
19, 1950 at the age of 74
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Joseph Carter
was one of 52 sailors and Marines cited for bravery and coolness
in the face of enemy fire during the cutting of cables at
Cienfuegos, Cuba on 11 May 1898. The mission was a daring
operation to cut undersea cables linking the Spanish
fortifications at Cienfuegos with the rest of the world.
Destruction of the cables was ordered to disrupt communications.
In two boats, sailors from the USS Nashville and the USS
Marblehead were joined by a Marine guard as they moved within 15
feet of the enemy shore, under fire from the hidden enemy, to
dredge up and cut two such cables. During the 80 minute operation,
the cable cutting party was under constant enemy fire from a short
range, while they coolly dredged the cables across the bow of
their boats, then cut through them with hacksaws. When a cable was
severed, the seaward end was transported back to the USS
Marblehead, which then moved further from shore to drop the ends
in deeper water and make repair impossible. So intense was the
enemy presence, and so daring the American support, Captain
Maynard of the Nashville was wounded in the action. With great
courage, the mission was accomplished.
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