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In 1914 the UTAH played an important role in the American landings at Veracruz, Mexico. Mexico, torn by civil war and revolution, was the scene of considerable American intervention, much of it centered at Veracruz and Brig. Gen. John J. Pershing's forays into northern Mexico.

The UTAH was deployed twice at Veracruz, first from February to April 1914, when it anchored off Veracruz and transferred refugees to nearby Tampico, and again in late April to June 1913 when it joined other American ships in an atempt to contravene the landing of arms shipped from Germany to Mexican president Victoriano Huerta, who had succeeded the assassinated legal president, Francisco I. Madero. President Woodrow Wilson, eager to support Madero backers and anti-Huerta revolutionaries as part of his international campaign for human rights, and seeking the means to stabilize war-torn neighboring Mexico, sent in troops.

Crewmen parading before the New York Public Library, circa June or July 1914, following their ship's return from Vera Cruz.
Note Navy Battalion flags carried before the first rank.

UTAH received orders to search for the ship and put to sea and reached Vera Cruz on the 16th. When it appeared that the shipment might be landed, the Navy took steps to take the customs house at Vera Cruz and stop the delivery. Accordingly, plans were drawn up for a landing at Vera Cruz, to commence on 21 April 1914.

Marines and sailors landed from the U.S. Naval vessels, including UTAH, took Veracruz on April 21, 1914, seized the customhouse and prevented the landing of the arms.

UTAH consequently landed her "battalion"-17 officers and 367 sailors under the command of Lt. Guy W. S. Castle-as well as her Marine detachment, which formed part of the improvised "First Marine Brigade," made up of detachments of marines from the other ships that had arrived to show American determination. In the ensuing fighting, in which the men of UTAH's bluejacket battalion distinguished themselves, seven won medals of honor. Those seven included Lt. Castle, the battalion commander; company commanders Ens. Oscar C. Badger and Ens. Paul F. Foster; section leaders, Chief Turret Captains Niels Drustrup and Abraham Desomer; Chief Gunner George Bradley; and Boatswain's Mate Henry N. Nickerson.

Marines of Vera Cruz. Left to right: Captain F.H. Delano, Sergeant-Major John H. Quick, Lieutenant W.C. Neville, Colonel J.A. Lejeune, and Major S.D. Butler.
U.S. Marine Corps, Marine Corps University Archives.

Considerable Mexican casualties embarrassed the United States and led to an American withdrawal, but the action was one of a series of maneuvers that led to Huerta's downfall and the installation of a new government

Additional Sources:

www.mtholyoke.edu
www.tcarden.com
www.history.navy.mil
www.arlingtoncemetery.net
www.geocities.com/Pentagon/Barracks/3136
www.navsource.org
www.pbs.org

FLETCHER, FRANK FRIDAY
Rank and organization: Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy.
Place and date: Vera Cruz, Mexico, 21 and 22 April 1914.
Entered service at: Iowa.
Born: 23 November 1855, Oskaloosa, lowa.
G.O. No.: 177, 4 December 1915.

Rear Admiral Frank Friday Fletcher

Citation:

For distinguished conduct in battle, engagements of Vera Cruz, 21 and 22 April 1914. Under fire, Rear Adm. Fletcher was eminent and conspicuous in the performance of his duties; was senior officer present at Vera Cruz, and the landing and the operations of the landing force were carried out under his orders and directions. In connection with these operations, he was at times on shore and under fire.

FLETCHER, FRANK JACK
Rank and organization: Lieutenant, U.S. Navy.
Place and date: Vera Cruz, Mexico, 21 and 22 April 1914.
Entered service at: Iowa.
Born: 29 April 1885, Marshalltown, lowa.
G.O. No.: 177, 4 December 1915.

LT. Frank Jack Fletcher
Photographed in civilian clothes in 1914, while he was serving in USS Florida (BB-30).

Citation:

For distinguished conduct in battle, engagements of Vera Cruz, 21 and 22 April 1914. Under fire, Lt. Fletcher was eminent and conspicuous in performance of his duties. He was in charge of the Esperanze and succeeded in getting on board over 350 refugees, many of them after the conflict had commenced. Although the ship was under fire, being struck more than 30 times, he succeeded in getting all the refugees placed in safety. Lt. Fletcher was later placed in charge of the train conveying refugees under a flag of truce. This was hazardous duty, as it was believed that the track was mined, and a small error in dealing with the Mexican guard of soldiers might readily have caused a conflict, such a conflict at one time being narrowly averted. It was greatly due to his efforts in establishing friendly relations with the Mexican soldiers that so many refugees succeeded in reaching Vera Cruz from the interior.

Lt. Frank Jack Fletcher was the nephew of Admiral Frank Friday Fletcher. Both were Medal of Honor recipients at Vera Cruz, Mexico, in 1914.

Morning friends. Hope you all have a wonderful Sunday.

The Aftermath of War

The war is over (so they say).
So why do troops still die?
The death toll's mounting day by day
and critics wonder "why?"
"Why did we go to war?" they ask.
"Why can't we find Hussein?"
"Why can't we find those missing nukes?"
"Why not in heaven's name?"
"Why can't our soldiers leave Iraq?"
"Why must they linger there?"
"Why doesn't Bush say 'That's enough'?"
"Why can't he seem to care?"
But, maybe those who criticize
should understand the score.
What's going on is not a game.
It's gruesome, bloody war.
There are no halves or innings.
There are no rules or refs.
And unlike golf there is no prize
when there is sudden death.
In some ways it's like Calvary
when Christ defeated sin.
Our foe was wounded and he'll die
and when he does, we'll win.
But in the meantime we're on guard
for mines and sneak attacks.
Our victory is guaranteed,
but we must watch our backs.

-- Greg Asimakoupoulos