William Zuiderveld
Encyclopedia
William Zuiderveld was a United States Navy
Hospital Apprentice First Class. He received the Medal of Honor
for actions during the United States occupation of Veracruz, 1914
.
, serving as a corpsman with a company of armed Navy sailor (known as "Bluejackets") who were tasked with capturing the city's Customs House.
The company, led by Ensign George M. Lowry
, became pinned down by "murderous rifle and machine-gun fire" as they approached the Custom's house. Not wanting to risk his entire company, Lowry asked for volunteers to approach the Custom's House from the side. Five men volunteered: Joseph G. Harner, Coxswain J. F. Schumaker, Boatswain's Mate Second Class George Cregan
, and Seamen Harry C. Beasley
and Lawrence C. Sinnett
.
Lowry lead the volunteers into a narrow alley, where they came under a cross fire from riflemen in the Custom's Building and machine gunners in a nearby hotel. During this fighting, "A bullet clipped one of the buttons off Lowry's cap and another tore through his right legging, creasing the flesh. Beasley was slightly wounded, and Schumaker was shot through the head."
After his men were able to silence the machine gunners with return rifle fire, Lowry called for a corpsman to help Schumaker. Zuiderveld ran down the alley while under fire and tried to stop the flow of blood from Schumaker's head.
Once Zuiderveld carried Schumaker—who would soon die—to the rear, Lowry and his surviving men worked their way up the alley and scaled the wall around the Custom's House. Several days later, Lowry returned to the scene and counted twelve bullet impacts on the wall where his men had climbed it. After Lowry and his men smashed through a window of the Custom's House, the personnel inside surrendered.
Zuiderveld, along with almost all of the men who volunteered for the attack, received the Medal of Honor
for their actions.
He was buried Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery
San Diego, California
. His grave can be found in section A-I Grave 9b GPS (lat/lon): 32.41359, -117.14716.
, April 21, 1914. Entered service at: Michigan
. Birth: Michigan. G.O.
No.: 116, August 9, 1914.
Citation:
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
Hospital Apprentice First Class. He received the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
for actions during the United States occupation of Veracruz, 1914
United States occupation of Veracruz, 1914
The United States occupation of Veracruz, which began with the Battle of Veracruz, lasted for six months and was a response to the Tampico Affair of April 9, 1914...
.
Service during United States occupation of Veracruz
In 1914, Zuiderveld took part in the United States occupation of Veracruz, 1914United States occupation of Veracruz, 1914
The United States occupation of Veracruz, which began with the Battle of Veracruz, lasted for six months and was a response to the Tampico Affair of April 9, 1914...
, serving as a corpsman with a company of armed Navy sailor (known as "Bluejackets") who were tasked with capturing the city's Customs House.
The company, led by Ensign George M. Lowry
George M. Lowry
George Maus Lowry served as a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy. He received the Medal of Honor for actions during the United States occupation of Veracruz, 1914.-Life:...
, became pinned down by "murderous rifle and machine-gun fire" as they approached the Custom's house. Not wanting to risk his entire company, Lowry asked for volunteers to approach the Custom's House from the side. Five men volunteered: Joseph G. Harner, Coxswain J. F. Schumaker, Boatswain's Mate Second Class George Cregan
George Cregan
George Cregan was a Coxswain in the United States Navy and a Medal of Honor recipient for his role in the United States occupation of Veracruz....
, and Seamen Harry C. Beasley
Harry C. Beasley
Harry C. Beasley was a United States Navy seaman received the Medal of Honor for actions during the United States occupation of Veracruz, 1914. He also served as a police officer in Newark, Ohio, where he was killed in the line of duty by unknown gunmen in 1931.-Life:Beasley was born in 1888 in...
and Lawrence C. Sinnett
Lawrence C. Sinnett
Lawrence C. Sinnett was a Seaman in the United States Navy and a Medal of Honor recipient for his role in the United States occupation of Veracruz....
.
Lowry lead the volunteers into a narrow alley, where they came under a cross fire from riflemen in the Custom's Building and machine gunners in a nearby hotel. During this fighting, "A bullet clipped one of the buttons off Lowry's cap and another tore through his right legging, creasing the flesh. Beasley was slightly wounded, and Schumaker was shot through the head."
After his men were able to silence the machine gunners with return rifle fire, Lowry called for a corpsman to help Schumaker. Zuiderveld ran down the alley while under fire and tried to stop the flow of blood from Schumaker's head.
Once Zuiderveld carried Schumaker—who would soon die—to the rear, Lowry and his surviving men worked their way up the alley and scaled the wall around the Custom's House. Several days later, Lowry returned to the scene and counted twelve bullet impacts on the wall where his men had climbed it. After Lowry and his men smashed through a window of the Custom's House, the personnel inside surrendered.
Zuiderveld, along with almost all of the men who volunteered for the attack, received the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
for their actions.
He was buried Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery
Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery
Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery is situated in the city of San Diego, California, on the Fort Rosecrans Military Reservation. The cemetery is located approximately 10 miles west of downtown San Diego, overlooking the bay and the city...
San Diego, California
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
. His grave can be found in section A-I Grave 9b GPS (lat/lon): 32.41359, -117.14716.
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Hospital Apprentice First Class, U.S. Navy. Place and date: Vera Cruz, MexicoVeracruz, Veracruz
Veracruz, officially known as Heroica Veracruz, is a major port city and municipality on the Gulf of Mexico in the Mexican state of Veracruz. The city is located in the central part of the state. It is located along Federal Highway 140 from the state capital Xalapa, and is the state's most...
, April 21, 1914. Entered service at: Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. Birth: Michigan. G.O.
General order
In militaries, a general order is a published directive, originated by a commander, and binding upon all personnel under his command, the purpose of which is to enforce a policy or procedure unique to his unit's situation which is not otherwise addressed in applicable service regulations, military...
No.: 116, August 9, 1914.
Citation:
On board the USS Florida, Zuiderveld showed extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession during the seizure of Vera Cruz, Mexico, 21 April 1914.
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients
- List of Medal of Honor recipients (Veracruz)