T  R  A  N  S  C  R  I  P  T  I  O  N

MARINE DETACHMENT
PUEBLO NUEVO, NIC.
11 APRIL 1928.

     1.   On 10 April, 1928, two (2) patrols composed of the following officer and men cleared this post to operate in the area west of Pueblo Nuevo, near Calpules and Motolin. The patrol under Lieutenant Putnam cleared at 1200; under Gy. Sgt. Wilson at 1230. The two patrols joined at Motolin and returned together, arriving at 2000.

2nd Lt. PUTNAM, Paul A.
Sgt. OWEN, John.
Pvt. MORRIS, Thomas H.
OLSEN, Thomas T. Jr. 50th Co., 2nd Bn.,
McDONOUGH, Franklin O. 11th Regiment.
CLEMENT, Dennis B.
LOPER, Clarence K.
HA1/c CHIRNSIDE, Lloyd M.
 
Gy.Sgt. WILSON, Derby S. 50th Co.
Cpl. ASHBY, Benjamin F. 50th Co.
BRILEY, Noble A. 57th Co.
Pvt. LITTLE, Archie S. 57th Co.
FARGUHAR, Harold E. 57th Co.
JANACEK, Charles F. 57th Co.
ADAMS, R. F. 57th Co.
GRIMES, Lloyd 57th Co.

     2.   The patrol under Lieutenant Putnam travelled northwest to Calpules, arriving there at 1400, then swung southwest to Motolin, arriving at 1445, and waited for Gy. Sgt. Wilson's patrol which arrived at 1530.

     3.   By. Sgt. Wilson's patrol travelled west toward Motolin. About one (1) mile east of Motolin a group of about ten (10) men was seen under a lean-to about 300 yards from the road. The men saw the patrol at the same time and immediately took to the brush. The patrol opened fire, killing one (1) and plainly wounding another. The men made their escape into broken country covered with dense brush. After pursuing until further contact was impossible, the patrol returned, searched the buildings, and then [ p. 2 ] proceeded to Motolin. The contact took place at 1415.

     4.   The combined patrols then returned to the scene of the contact. The dead man was identified as Solomon Zavala. At 1700 the sentry spotted a man in the brush at about 350 yds. range. Lt. Putnam took a pot shot, and it was thought that the man was brought down. No further movement was seen, so two men, covered by others on the hilltop, went to investigate. They found nothing at the point fired at, but on going farther up the slope suddenly ran into a group of ten (10) or twelve (12). Shots were exchanged without hits on either side. The enemy immediately retreated over the hill top and were lost in the brush. From the sound of the shots fired, it is considered certain that the enemy has one (1) Springfield rifle.

     5.   Aside from identifying the dead man, nothing is known as to the personnel of the group, but various minor facts point to the reorganization of the band under Chico Ramon Osorio [Francisco Ramón Osorio].

     6.   At 1815 the combined patrols returned to Pueblo Nuevo, arriving at 2000.

/s/ Paul A. Putnam,
Second Lieutenant, U. S. Marine Corps

127/113C/12