 Azueta was manning a machine gun placed outside the building, facing the incoming U.S. troops on his own and causing a number of casualties.After having been mortally wounded by U.S. Navy marksman Joseph G. Harner, who took several shots at him from about 300 yards away, he was rescued from the battlefield and taken to his home.After the battle, U.S. Admiral Frank Friday Fletcher heard of Azueta's actions and sent word to him via messenger that he (Fletcher) wished to visit the fallen defender and pay his respects.