April 21st, [DeSomer] was placed in charge of a small squad of men and stationed at the corner of a warehouse to eastward of the custom house. His position was subject to a severe fire from the buildings along Avenida Inadero y Cos, and after several hours of well directed fire he silenced it. On April 22d when a general advance began, he was sent ahead to locate and silence fire from snipers. Being an excellent marksman and notably cool, he was especially selected for this work. Later, when two sections of artillery were sent to join Captain Anderson's command, he performed similar services and was almost continually under direct fire from snipers. His services in this connection were of more value than a whole squad. —Frank Friday Fletcher Daniels concluded with: The Department concurs with the opinion of Rear Admiral Fletcher and highly commends your conspicuous courage, coolness and skill, which were in accord with and added to the best traditions of the naval service. ... In addition a Medal of Honor and a gratuity of One Hundred Dollars has been awarded you. —Josephus Daniels Awards Medal of Honor Good Conduct Medal Philippine Campaign Medal Mexican Service Medal World War I Victory Medal with "ESCORT" clasp American Defense Service Medal American Campaign Medal World War II Victory Medal Medal of Honor citation Rank and organization: Lieutenant, United States Navy, U.S.S. Utah. Place and date: Vera Cruz, Mexico, 21 and April 22, 1914. Entered service at: Wisconsin. Birth: Milwaukee, Wis. Citation: On board the U.S.S. Utah, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession during the seizure of Vera Cruz, Mexico, 21 and April 22, 1914. See also List of Medal of Honor recipients (Veracruz) References 1884 births 1974 deaths United States Navy Medal of Honor recipients United States Navy officers Military personnel from Milwaukee Burials at San Francisco National Cemetery Battle of Veracruz (1914) recipients of the Medal of Honor