Veracruz Intervention

Apr. 21, 1914 - On Wilson's presidential authority, Marines landed at Veracruz to prevent German steamer Ypiranga (next month at Puerto Mexico, unloaded its cargo of Remington munitions).

The first contingent of 787 marines and sailors landed during the afternoon of Apr. 21 and seized the customhouse, and occupird most of the town by the afternoon of Apr. 22.

6000 marines landed, 19 killed, 400 Mexican civilians killed, 1000 mexican soldiers fled from the city.

USS Prairie bombarded the Naval Academy in Veracruz defended by Mexican cadets.

On April 25, Lt. P.N.L. Bellinger flew his Curtiss AB-3 flying boat to find for sea mines in the harbor. He was the first U.S. military aviator to fly a combat mission in the aviation squadron commanded by John Henry Towers, Naval Aviator Number 3, from the battleship USS Mississippi and cruiser USS Birmingham. Several sorties were flown by Henry C. Mustin, Naval Aviator Number 11.

On April 30, Gen. Frederick Funston led the Army's Fifth Infantry Brigade ashore to relieve the marines, and occupy the city under a military government.

April. 21-Nov. 23 - occupation of Veracruz for 7 months, no further invasion, only limited force.

Sources:

• Eisenhower, John S.D. Intervention! The United States and the Mexican Revolution, 1913-17. NY: Norton, 1993. 387 p. Copley Library F1234.E32.
• Foster, Merlin H. "US Intervention in Mexico: The 1914 Occupation of Veracruz." Military Review 67 (Aug 1977): pp. 88-96.
• Quirk, Robert E. An Affair of Honor: Woodrow Wilson and the Occupation of Veracruz. New York: Norton, 1962. 184 p.
• Sweetman, Jack. The Landing at Veracruz: 1914. Naval Institute Press, 1968. 221 p. Copley Library F1234 .S95

Links:

• Amphibious Warfare: First World War. 1914 - U.S. landing at Vera Cruz
• Google Earth Placemark
• Naval Aviation 1911-1986 A Pictorial Study
• USS Mustin (DDG 89)

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