United States occupation of Veracruz
Part of the Tampico Affair
American soldiers hoisting the US flag over Veracruz.
Date: April 21, 1914 Location: Veracruz, Veracruz Result: U.S. victory
Combatants
United States	Mexico
Commanders
Frank Friday Fletcher	Gustavo Mass Manuel Azueta
Strength
Total: 3948 Landing force: 757	N/A
Casualties
22 killed 70 wounded 92 total	152-172 killed 195-250 wounded 347-422 total

The United States occupation of Veracruz lasted for six months in response to the April 9, 1914, Tampico Affair. The incident came in the midst of poor diplomatic relations with the United States, related to the ongoing Mexican Revolution. Combatants United States Mexico Strength 9 sailors Approx. ... April 21 is the 111th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (112th in leap years). ... Veracruz from space, July 1997 The city of Veracruz is a major port city on the Gulf of Mexico in the Mexican state of Veracruz. ... The state of Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave is one of the 31 states that compose Mexico (does not include the Mexican Federal District). ... Admiral Frank Friday Fletcher (November 23, 1855 – November 28, 1928) was an American naval officer of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. ... April 9 is the 99th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (100th in leap years). ... 1914 (MCMXIV) was a common year starting on Thursday. ... Combatants United States Mexico Strength 9 sailors Approx. ... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ...

The battle

In response to the Tampico Affair, U.S. President Woodrow Wilson ordered the Navy to prepare for the occupation of the port of Veracruz. While waiting for authorization of the US 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. For the pop band, see Presidents of the United States of America. ... Thomas Woodrow Wilson (December 28, 1856 – February 3, 1924) was the 28th President of the United States (1913–1921). ... The United States Navy (USN) is the branch of the United States armed forces responsible for conducting naval operations around the globe. ... Veracruz from space, July 1997 The city of Veracruz is a major port city on the Gulf of Mexico in the Mexican state of Veracruz. ... Congress in Joint Session. ... Term of office: February 19, 1913 – July 14, 1914 Preceded by: Pedro Lascuráin Interim Succeeded by: Francisco S. Carvajal Interim Date of birth: December 23, 1850 Place of birth: Colotlán, Jalisco Date of death: January 13, 1916 Place of death: El Paso, Texas, United States Profession: Soldier First... April 21 is the 111th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (112th in leap years). ... Customs duty is a tariff or tax on the import or export of goods. ...

In the morning of April 21 41 battleships of the Atlantic Fleet, under the command of Rear Admiral Frank Fletcher, started the bombardment of Veracruz. By 11:30 a.m. American troops started landing operations, prompting the retreat of the Mexican forces lead by General Gustavo Mass in order to avoid bloodshed. On the face of this, Commodore Manuel Azueta encouraged the cadets of the Naval Academy to take up the defense of the port for themselves. April 21 is the 111th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (112th in leap years). ... The Atlantic Fleet of the United States Navy is the part of the Navy responsible for operations in around the Atlantic Ocean. ... The term Rear Admiral originated from the days of Naval Sailing Squadrons, and can trace its origins to the British Royal Navy. ... Admiral Frank Friday Fletcher (November 23, 1855 – November 28, 1928) was an American naval officer of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. ... General is a high military rank, used by nearly every country in the world. ... Commodore has several meanings: Commodore International is a computer company Commodore 64 and Amiga were home computers Commodore (rank) is a naval rank Commodore (yacht club) is the senior officer of a yacht club The Holden Commodore is a type of car The Opel Commodore is a type of car... Cadet refers to a person or people who are junior in some way. ...

Soon after landing the American troops captured the customs, post and telegraph offices. An urban battle then ensued in which many civilians are said to have taken part. In the meantime, the building of the Naval Academy was being bombarded by the USS Prairie. American troops took the central town square by 5 p.m. and eventually forced the evacuation of the Naval Academy building a few hours later. US Marines fight in the city of Fallujah during Operation Al Fajr (New Dawn) in November 2004. ... Prairie, formerly Morgan Liner S.S. El Sol, was built in 1890 by William Cramp and Sons, Philadelphia, Pa. ...

The USS San Francisco and the USS Chester continued with the bombardment of the Naval Academy building until the following day. Some pockets of resistance occurred around the port, but by April 24 all fighting had ceased. The first USS San Francisco (C-5/CM-2) was a steel protected cruiser in the United States Navy. ... The first USS Chester (CL-1) of the United States Navy was a light cruiser, the first to be so designated. ... April 24 is the 114th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (115th in leap years). ...

The son of Commodore Azueta, Lieutenant José Azueta, was wounded during the defense of the Naval Academy building. A cadet himself, José Azueta was manning a machine gun placed outside the building, facing the incoming American troops on his own and causing a number of casualties. José Azueta was rescued from the battlefield after sustaining two bullet wounds and taken to his home. After the battle Admiral Fletcher heard of Azueta's actions in battle and sent his personal doctor to take care of him. However, in a gesture of defiance, Azueta refused to see the doctor. José Azueta would die of his wounds on May 10. A Lieutenant is a military, paramilitary or police officer. ... A machine gun is a fully-automatic firearm that is capable of firing bullets in rapid succession. ... May 10 is the 130th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (131st in leap years). ...

Aftermath

Admiral Fletcher took control of the administration of the port. While Huerta officially objected the occupation, he did little to actively oppose it, being more preoccupied by events of the Mexican Revolution. Huerta was eventually overthrown and Carranza's regime, which was more favorable to the US, was installed. The occupation, however, put the two countries to the brink of war and worsened US-Mexican relations for many years. The ABC Powers conference was convened in Niagara Falls, Canada on May 20, 1914, to avoid an all-out war over this incident. American troops remained in Veracruz until November 23, 1914. This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... Venustiano Carranza Garza (29 December 1859 - 21 May 1920) was one of the leaders of the Mexican Revolution. ... The ABC Powers refers in diplomacy to the South American countries of Argentina, Brazil, and Chile. ... Niagara Falls, Ontario from Niagara Falls State Park in winter Location of Niagara Falls in the Niagara Region Niagara Falls, Ontario (2001 population 78,815) is a city on the Niagara River, in the Golden Horseshoe region. ... 20 May is the 140th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (141st in leap years). ... November 23 is the 327th day of the year (328th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 38 days remaining. ...

Song

On Warren Zevons album Excitable Boy features a track called Veracruz. Named after the occupation of 1914. It decipts the battle & chaos from what one my persume a resident of Veracruz. The last verse written is Spanish translated is the character saying they will return to Veracruz, destiny has changed their life and in Veracruz they shall die. Zevon on the cover of his 1978 album, Excitable Boy. ... Excitable Boy is a rock and roll album by Warren Zevon. ...

See also

• Victoriano Huerta
• Mexican Revolution
• Tampico Affair

Term of office: February 19, 1913 – July 14, 1914 Preceded by: Pedro Lascuráin Interim Succeeded by: Francisco S. Carvajal Interim Date of birth: December 23, 1850 Place of birth: Colotlán, Jalisco Date of death: January 13, 1916 Place of death: El Paso, Texas, United States Profession: Soldier First... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... Combatants United States Mexico Strength 9 sailors Approx. ...

References

• Mitchell Yockelson (1997). "The United States Armed Forces and the Mexican Punitive Expedition: Part 1". Prologue Magazine 29.
• Sweetman, Jack (1968). The Landing at Veracruz: 1914. Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press.
• Veterans Museum & Memorial Center (2003). Veterans Museum & Memorial Center, In Memoriam, United States Interventions in Mexico, 1914 - 1917. Retrieved December 28, 2005.

December 28 is the 362nd day of the year (363rd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 3 days remaining. ...

External links

• President Wilson's Speech in Response to the Tampico Incident, U.S. Department of State, Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, 1914, pp. 474-476.
• The Tampico Affair and the Speech from Woodrow Wilson to the American People – from the PBS Special The Border, about life on the U.S.-Mexican border