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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:
November 23, 1855 at Oskaloosa, IA
Entered Service in the US
Navy from Mahaska County, Iowa
Earned
The Medal of Honor During the Mexican Campaign For heroism on
April 21 - 22, 1914 at Vera Cruz, Mexico
DIED: November
28, 1928 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. The senior officer for the engagement,
Fletcher personally commanded all aspects of the assault, even
landing with the members of his shore parties. On the morning of
April 21, nearly 1,500 American combat troops were put ashore,
Rear Admiral Fletcher valiantly leading them and even coming under
fire himself. During the night he landed another 1,500
reinforcements and, by noon on April 22nd, 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.
Though the United States occupied Vera Cruz for seven months
following the initial landing, Rear Admiral Fletcher with his
sailors and Marines, accomplished their mission in two days, and
returned to their vessels within the same week.
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