This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Kent Weekly (SS/DSV) (DBF), EMCS
to remember
Caperton, William Banks, ADM USN(Ret).
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Contact Info
Home Town Spring Hill, TN
Last Address Newport, RI
Date of Passing Dec 21, 1941
Location of Interment Arlington National Cemetery (VLM) - Arlington, Virginia
Admiral William Banks Caperton held major posts ashore and afloat, chief of which were commanding the naval forces intervening in Haiti (1915–16) and Santo Domingo (1916), and Commander-in-Chief, Pacific Fleet, from July 28, 1916, to April 30, 1919. He served actively until November 12, 1921.
Other Comments:
Admiral Caperton was the 10th CINCPACFLT.
Invasion of the Dominican Republic (Dominican Campaign)
From Month/Year
May / 1916
To Month/Year
December / 1916
Description The piecemeal invasion resulted in the US Navy occupying all key positions in government and controlling the army and police. The first landing took place on May 5, 1916, when "two companies of marines landed from the USS Prairie at Santo Domingo." Their goal was to offer protection to the U.S. Legation and the U.S. Consulate, and to occupy the Fort San Geronimo. Within hours, these companies were reinforced with "seven additional companies." On May 6, forces from the U.S.S. Castine landed to offer protection to the Haitian Legation, a country under similar military occupation from the U.S. Two days after the first landing, constitutional President, Juan Isidro Jimenes resigned.
Admiral Caperton's forces occupied Santo Domingo on May 15, 1916. Colonel Joseph H. Pendleton's marine units took the key port cities of Puerto Plata and Monte Cristi on June 1, and enforced a blockade. Two days after the Battle of Guayacanas, on July 3, marine forces moved to Arias' stronghold in Santiago de los Caballeros. However, "A military encounter was avoided when Arias arrived at an agreement with Capteron to cease resistance." Three days after Arias left the country, the rest of the occupation forces landed and took control of the country within two months, and in November the United States imposed a military government under Rear Admiral Harry Shepard Knapp.
