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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 25, 1872 at New Brunswick, Canada
Entered Service in the US
Navy from Massachusetts
Earned
The Medal of Honor During the Mexican Campaign For heroism on
April 22, 1914 at Vera Cruz, Mexico
DIED: December
09, 1956 at the age of 83
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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. Lieutenant John Grady was one of 55 men
awarded the Medal of Honor for this action, and was cited as
commander of a battalion of the ground forces for eminent and
conspicuous bravery on the second day of the fighting. Though
exposed many times to enemy fire from open positions, he continued
to shell enemy forces from the most advantageous points.
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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