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Medal of Honor recipients, Veracruz, Mexico 1914

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  • Capt. William R. Rush, Medal of Honor (1857 - 1940)
    Rees Rush (1857–1940) was an officer in the United States Navy during the Spanish-American War, the 1914 United States occupation of Veracruz, and World War I, and was a recipient of the Medal of Honor...
  • Adm Oscar C. Badger, Medal of Honor (1890 - 1958)
    Oscar Charles Badger II (June 26, 1890 – November 30, 1958) was an admiral of the United States Navy who served in both World Wars, and, as a junior officer, received the Medal of Honor. Early hist...
  • Lt. James P. Lannon, Medal of Honor (1878 - 1953)
    CitationFor extraordinary heroism in battle, engagement of Vera Cruz, 22 April 1914. Lt. Lannon assisted a wounded man under heavy fire, and after returning to his battalion was himself desperately wou...
  • Adm Edwin Anderson, Medal of Honor (1860 - 1933)
    Alexander Anderson, Jr. (July 16, 1860 – September 23, 1933) was a United States Navy officer who received the Medal of Honor for actions during the 1914 American intervention at Veracruz. He retired f...
  • Adolphus Staton, Medal of Honor (1879 - 1964)
    President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Lieutenant Adolphus C. Staton, United States Navy, for distinguished conduct in ba...

The United States occupation of the Mexican port of Veracruz lasted for six months and occurred in the midst of poor diplomatic relations between Mexico and the United States, related to the ongoing Mexican Revolution.

In response to the Tampico Affair, President Woodrow Wilson ordered the U.S. Navy to prepare for the occupation of the port of Veracruz. While waiting for authorization of Congress to carry out such action, Wilson was alerted to a German delivery of weapons for Victoriano Huerta due to arrive to the port on April 21. As a result, Wilson issued an immediate order to seize the port's customs office and confiscate the weaponry.

The Medal of Honor was created during the American Civil War and is the highest military decoration presented by the United States government to a member of its armed forces. The recipient must have distinguished themselves at the risk of their own life above and beyond the call of duty in action against an enemy of the United States. Due to the nature of this medal, it is commonly presented posthumously.

Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels ordered that 56 Medals of Honor be awarded to participants in the occupation of Veracruz, the most for any single action before or since. In total 63 Medals of Honor were received for actions during the occupation; 1 Army, 9 to members of the United States Marine Corps and 53 to Navy personnel

Several Medals were issued to members of the US Navy Medical Corps. Additional information on the Navy Medical Corps is here:
https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/nhhc/browse-by-topic/c...