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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:
December 11, 1886 at New York, NY
Entered Service in the US
Navy from New York, NY
Earned
The Medal of Honor During the Mexican Campaign For heroism on
April 21, 1914 at Vera Cruz, Mexico
DIED: June
30, 1969 at the age of 82
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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. Coxswain George Cregan was a volunteer for
Ensign George Lowry's assault force, tasked with capturing the
important Vera Cruz Customhouse. During the move to scale the
walls and capture the strategic building, Coxswain Cregan stopped
his advance to render aid to a wounded comrade and, though under
attack, continued to care for his comrade with one hand and
returned fire on advancing enemy with his other hand.
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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