|
Ancillary Documents
Statements of USMC Corporal
Frederick F. Martin and Privates Gerald
D. Kent, Wallace L. Jacobson, Edward J.
Carter, Leo L. Lussier, George O. Smith,
Leonard H. Taylor regarding the death of
Private Calloway, Macuelizo, December
18, 1927.
(All statements carry the
heading "Marine Detachment, Somoto,
Nic., 9 February 1928.")
STATEMENT OF CORPORAL FREDERIC F.
MARTIN, U.S.M.C.
relative to an attack on a patrol from
Somoto, December 18, 1927.
On December 17, 1927 I left Somoto with
a patrol of nine men and one Native
Guide for a four day patrol. The first
night out we camped at a ranch in San
Luis and on the following morning
proceeded to Macullizo where we were
fired on by a large force of bandits
well armed and organized. After fighting
them for about an hour and finding our
rifle grenades defective we decided to
withdraw. Privates Smith, Taylor and
myself stayed behind to cover the
retreat of the remainder of the patrol
where we intended joining them on the
Somoto trail. When we thought they were
outside the town we mounted and started
for the place we thought they were
waiting for us but could not find them.
In the rear of us the bandits had both
sides of the road covered and were
trying to head us off. They sniped us
for about eight miles on our way to
Somoto. Private Calloway distinguished
himself during the first attack and
Private Carter did excellent work also.
/s/ Frederick F. Martin
Corporal, U.S.M.C.
STATEMENT OF PRIVATE GERALD D. KENT,
U.S.M.C.
relative to attack on a patrol from
Somoto, Nic. December 18, 1927.
I was a member of a patrol with eight
other marines, Corporal Martin in
charge, that left Somoto for a town
called Macullizo on December 17, 1928.
The first night out we stopped at a
place by the name of San Luis at a ranch
house. The next day we left at about
6:00 A.M. for Macullizo and on arriving
at the town we were fired upon and took
cover and fought for about forty five
minutes. During this attack Corporal
Martin and two other men became
separated from the squad and were not
missed until we were out of the town.
Thinking that they were still in the
town, we returned and fought our way
back in the town but could not find the
missing men. Private Calloway then took
charge and we started for Somoto. When
we were about two miles from San Luis we
were again fired upon by a large force
of bandits that had us surrounded in a
pass between the hills. Private Calloway
was shot at this place and he called
Private Carter and told him to take
charge of the squad and get out if
possible. Private Carter then took
charge and insisted that we remain with
Private Calloway until he died which we
did. Private Carter then took charge and
led us up the side of a mountain under a
heavy fire in the direction of Ocotal.
After reaching the top of the hill
Private Carter conducted the squad into
Ocotal and reported to the Commanding
Officer at that place. At all times
during the firing, Private Carter was
cool and used good judgment.
/s/ Gerald D. Kent,
Private, U.S.M.C.
STATEMENT OF PRIVATE WALLACE L.
JACOBSON, U.S.M.C.
relative to an attack on a patrol from
Somoto, Nic. December 18, 1927.
Our patrol of nine men left Somoto at
2:00 A.M. on December 17, 1927 for a
four day patrol. We arrived at Macullizo
at about six O clock A.M. December 18th
and were attacked. We fought at this
place for about an hour and withdrew
from the town. We had not moved more
than a quarter of a mile from the town
when we noticed that Corporal Martin,
Private Taylor and Private Smith were
missing. Private Calloway then said lets
go back in the town for them. We got
back into the town but could not find
the remainder of our force and withdrew
again due to the heavy fire we were
under. We then started for Somoto and
had gone about seven miles when we were
again fired upon by a large force that
had us well ambushed at a place we could
not take cover. Private Calloway was
killed here and before he died he urged
Private Carter to take the rest of us
out the best way he could. Private
Carter refused to leave until he had
died and then led us up the side of a
mountain in the direction of Ocotal. We
followed Carters instructions at all
times.
/s/ Wallace L. Jacobson
Private, U.S.M.C.
STATEMENT OF PRIVATE EDWARD J. CARTER,
U.S.M.C.
relative to an attack on a patrol from
Somoto December 18, 1927.
I left Somoto with a patrol December 17,
1927 for a four days patrol in the
direction of Macullizo. We arrived at
Macullizo on the morning of the 18th and
was fired upon by a large number of
bandits. We fought here for about an
hour and as the fire was very heavy and
the bandits closing in on us from all
sides we withdrew from the town. Just
after we got out of the town, we missed
Corporal Martin, Private Taylor and
Private Smith. Private Calloway then
took charge and we decided to go back
into the town for the missing men. We
fought our way back into the town but
could not locate the men and had to
withdraw again. We then started for
Somoto and after we had gone in that
direction for about six miles we were
again hit by a large force of bandits
who had us ambushed from all sides. At
this point Private Calloway was shot
several times and killed. Before he died
he urged that we all make a get away but
I was determined not to leave him until
he was dead. I placed him in an upright
position by a tree and remained with him
until he was dead. I then took his rifle
bolt and threw it away and led the men
over the hill in the direction of Ocotal
to which place we arrived that night
about six O clock and reported to the
Commanding Officer.
/s/ Edward J. Carter
Private U.S.M.C.
STATEMENT OF PRIVATE LEO L. LUSSIER,
U.S.M.C.
relative to an attack on a patrol from
Somoto December 18, 1927.
I was a member of a patrol that left
Somoto, Nic. December 17, 1927 to be
gone about four days. We had nine men
with Corporal Martin in charge. We
stopped the first night out at a ranch
house in San Luis and left the next
morning at about six O clock for
Macuillizo. Arriving at Macullizo we
were fired upon by a large force of
bandits who were located on all sides of
the town in the hills. We returned the
fire and fought them for about an hour
but as they kept closing in on us we
decided to withdraw from the town.
During this action, Corporal Martin and
two other men became separated from the
squad. Private Carter told us then that
we all stood a better chance by sticking
together and we all agreed to return to
the town and find Corporal Martin and
the other two men. Private Calloway
being in charge at this time. We fought
our way back into the town but as the
fire was too heavy to remain there and,
failing to find Corporal Martin and the
other men, we withdrew in the direction
of Somoto. On our way to Somoto we were
again attacked by a large force of
bandits who had us ambushed in a pass
between the mountains. At this point
Private Calloway was shot. We fought
here for about thirty minutes. Although
Calloway did not die instantly he told
us to seek our own safety. Carter then
took charge and placed Calloway beside a
tree and remained with him until he died
making the remark that we would not
leave him there alive. He then led us up
the mountain side in the direction of
Ocotal and we made our escape to that
place. It is my belief that if Private
Carter had not taken charge of the
situation when he did none of us would
have gotten away. He was cool and used
good judgment at all times.
/s/ Leo L. Lussier,
Private, U.S.M.C.
STATEMENT OF PRIVATE GEORGE O. SMITH,
U.S.M.C.
relative to an attack on a patrol from
Somoto December 18, 1927.
I was a member of a patrol that left
Somoto December 17, 1927 for a four day
patrol with Corporal Martin in charge.
On the following day, early in the
morning, we arrived at Macullizo and
were fired upon by a large force of
bandits. We fought them for about an
hour but as our rifle grenades failed to
go off and they were closing in on us
from all sides we had to quit the town.
We thought we would all come together on
the Somoto trail but after we got out of
the town we found that only Corporal
Martin, myself, and Private Taylor was
present. Thinking they had gone on to
Somoto we proceeded to that place and
found that they had not returned.
/s/ George O. Smith
Private, U.S.M.C.
STATEMENT OF PRIVATE LEONARD H. TAYLOR,
U.S.M.C.
relative to an attack on a patrol from
Somoto December 18, 1927.
I was a member of the patrol that left
Somoto December 17, 1927, Corporal
Martin in charge for a four day patrol.
On the second day out we arrived at
Macullizo early in the morning and on
entering the town we were fired on by
bandits. We fought them for quite a
while killing and wounding several but
as they kept closing in on us we had to
leave the town. I n leaving the town,
Corporal Martin, myself and Private
Smith became separated from the other
members of the patrol and could not find
them on the Somoto trail where we
expected to meet them. We returned to
Somoto and found that the remaining six
had not returned.
/s/ Leonard H. Taylor
Private, U.S.M.C.
127/204//3
|
