BUTLER, Smedley
Major, U.S. Marine Corps
G.O. Navy Department, No.177
CITATION:
For distinguished conduct in battle, engagement of Vera Cruz, April 22, 1914, was eminent and conspicious in command of his battalion. He exhibited courage and skill in leading his men through the action of the 22nd and in the final occupation of the city.
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to
MAJOR SMEDLEY D. BUTLER
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
for service as set forth in the following
CITATION:
As Commanding Officer of detachments from the Fifth, Thirteenth, Twenty-third Companies and the Marine and sailor detachments from the U.S.S.Connecticut, Major Butler led the attack on Fort Riviere, Haiti, 17 November 1915. Following a concentrated drive, several different detachments of Marines gradually closed in on the old French bastion fort in an effort to cut off all avenues of retreat for the Caco bandits. Reaching the fort on the southern side where there was a small opening in the wall, Major Butler gave the signal to attack and Marines from the Fifteenth Company poured through the breach, engaged the Cacos in hand-to-hand combat, took the bastion and crushed the Caco resistance. Throughout this perilous action, Major Butler was conspicuous for his bravery and forceful leadership.
DALY, Daniel
Gunnery Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps
G.O. Navy Department, No.
CITATION:
Serving with the Fifteenth Company of Marines on 22 October 1915, Gunnery Sergeant Daly was one of the company to leave Fort Liberte, Haiti, for a 6-day reconnaissance. After dark on the evening of 24 October, while crossing the river in a deep ravine, the detachment was suddenly fired upon from three sides by about 400 Cacos concealed in bushes about 100 yards from the fort. The Marine detachment fought its way forward to a good position, which it maintained during the night, although subjected to a continuous fire from the Cacos. At daybreak the Marines, in three squads, advanced in three different directions, surprising and scattering the Cacos in all directions. Gunnery Sergeant Daly fought with exceptional gallantry against heavy odds throughout this action.
