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Kent Weekly (SS/DSV) (DBF), EMCS
to remember
Wainwright Jr., Richard (Dick), CDR USN(Ret).
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Contact Info
Home Town Washington, District of Columbia
Last Address Annapolis, MD
Date of Passing Mar 28, 1944
Location of Interment Annapolis National Cemetery (VA) - Annapolis, Maryland
Richard Wainwright, Jr. was an officer in the United States Navy during World War I who received the Medal of Honor for actions during the 1914 Veracruz action.
Wainwright received orders to the battleship USS Florida (BB-30). While leading a landing party from that ship in battle at Veracruz, Mexico, he earned the Medal of Honor for his outstanding conduct on April 21-22, 1914.
In September 1914, Wainwright detached from the Florida with orders to the Naval Academy. He received a promotion to Lieutenant Commander on April 28, 1915. He served at the Naval Academy until his retirement. Wainwright retired from the Navy, with a physical disability, on March 3, 1921.
From November 1925 to January 1929, he served as Superintendent of the Navy Department Library.
During World War II, he was recalled to active duty in February 1942 and promoted to Commander.
Other Comments:
Medal of Honor citation-
"For distinguished conduct in battle, engagements of Vera Cruz, 21 and 22 April 1914. Lt. Wainwright was eminent and conspicuous in command of his battalion; was in the fighting of both days, and exhibited courage and skill in leading his men through action. In seizing the customhouse, he encountered for many hours the heaviest and most pernicious concealed fire of the entire day, but his courage and coolness under trying conditions were marked."
Description incident came in the midst of poor diplomatic relations between Mexico and the United States, related to the ongoing Mexican Revolution.
My Participation in This Battle or Operation
From Month/Year
April / 1914
To Month/Year
November / 1914
Last Updated: Mar 16, 2020
Personal Memories
Memories In an effort to force out General Victoriano Huerta, who had seized the presidency of Mexico in a bloody coup d' etat, President Woodrow Wilson sent three Navy vessels to Vera Cruz under the command of Rear Admiral Frank Friday Fletcher. On the morning of April 21 nearly 1,500 American combat troops were put ashore, and that night another 1,500 reinforcements landed. By noon on April 22nd the American forces had taken control of the city. In the two day action Fletcher lost 17 men killed, 63 wounded. The Mexicans had nearly 800 dead or wounded. Lieutenant Richard Wainwright was one of 55 men awarded the Medal of Honor for this action, and was cited as commander of a battalion of the ground forces for "courage and skill in leading his men through action on the second day of the campaign. During the battle to seize the important Custom House he "encountered for many hours the heaviest and most pernicious concealed fire of the entire day." The men who landed at Vera Cruz on April 21 - 22 accomplished their mission in two days, and returned to their vessels within the same week
