![]() ![]() Mayo had followed with his squadron in December of that year. A fellow officer described Mayo as “a man of business and action,” adding, “He does what he thinks is right, and as a rule he does not lose a lot of time doing it.” įletcher had arrived in October 1913 to protect American lives and property as Mexico became embroiled in a civil war. Thus, Mayo could-and would-act without consulting Fletcher. They held equal commands, neither superior to the other. Both men had spent more than 40 years in the naval service, advancing from midshipman to rear admiral. Mayo was 57 years old, and Fletcher was 58. At Veracruz, home of Mexico’s principal port, Rear Admiral Frank F. Mayo commanded the Fifth Division of the U.S. At Tampico, a port city of mostly American expatriates lured by oil wells, Rear Admiral Henry T. Navy ships were once again visible along the Mexican gulf coast. military had occupied Veracruz, allowing General Winfield Scott’s forces to march on to Mexico City. The Mexicans had surrendered and the U.S. Army and Navy had paid a visit during the Mexican-American War (1846–1848), conducting the first major amphibious operation in American history and the largest prior to World War II. Army and Navy artillery batteries had worked together to lay siege to the city for 20 days, and more than 10,000 men had landed on shore in a span of five hours. The city had fended off the English naval commander Sir John Hawkins and privateer Sir Francis Drake in 1568, but in 1838 the French had captured San Juan de Ulua and started the Pastry War (1838–1839). Since its founding in 1519 by Hernán Cortés, Veracruz had fallen victim to predations from various European nations. The white-washed walls of the San Juan de Ulua fortress guarded its shoreline, but often failed to protect what lay beyond: narrow streets threading past newer homes of brick, granite, and concrete, and older homes painted in pastels or bright greens, reds, and blues. Veracruz was a city all too familiar with invasions. ![]()
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