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T R A N
S C R I P
T I O N
Detachment 57th Company.
Daraili, Nicaragua.
20 May 1928
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From: |
The Detachment Commander. |
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To: |
The Commanding Officer, Second
Battalion. |
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Via: |
(1) The Commanding Officer,
57th. Company. |
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Subject: |
Report of Contact. |
1. On or about 5:15 p.m. 19
May 1928, I received the report that
bandits passed San Andres for Santa
Rosa, and having but three saddles, I
had them saddled immediately and started
with mounted men for that area,
borrowing a mount from Sr. Moise
Gonzales [Moises Gonzalez, Moisés
González].
2. Moise Gonzales, informer
and guide, agreed to accompany us, free
of cost, and as we entered Santa Rosa,
he picked up another mozo, who worked
for him, as he told us that the bandits
were in two (2) houses to the North of
Santa Rosa. Hiring him, we proceeded
towards the houses. Having information
that they were drinking, we proceeded
towards the houses cautiously.
3. As we neared the houses,
at or about 8:00 p.m., there being two
(2) of them, I ordered Moise to the
right of the house, and when we got
close, men started running from the
second house, so I ran down there single
handed and saw five (5) men go over the
fence. I dragged my pistol for a full
clip at them, and when I started to load
the second clip, I heard Moise calling
to me.
4. I returned and found that
he was shot through the back, so I
immediately called for an assembly; we
took Moise Jr. to a shack about a mile
away.
5. I despatched the patrol
to Daraili for medical attention, I
having given first aid as far as was
possible, and about 11:00 p.m. Senor Don
Moise Gonzales, who is a practicant, and
another Marine patrol arrived, and
administered treatment.
6. At that time, everything
being quiet, I cleared the vicinity with
a patrol of ten (10) men, and searched
the area. Not finding any men with
rifles, I cleared the circle at 5:30
a.m., for Condega with one (1) wounded
friendly native.
7. Moise Gonzales, Jr., is
one of the bravest men that I have ever
encountered, always willing and trying,
doing his utmost, and is already to go.
8. Marine casualties. None.
Friendly Native casualties. One (1)
Moise Gonzales, Jr.
9. I recommend Moise
Gonzales Jr., for a citation by the
Brigade Commander for his gallantry in
action in the face of an enemy of
extreme daringness, fearless of self
safety, and away beyond any call of duty
he ran to the front in chase of SANDINO
mule buyers, placing [ p. 2 ] himself in
line of fire, not only from the bandits,
but the entire combatants, and without
fear or favor, he carried on his work as
a "Good Man".
10. Having searched the
entire area, I had a messenger
despatched to C.O. 57th., Condega.
Assembling the patrol, I hired eight (8)
natives to carry Moise Gonzales, Jr., to
Condega, where we arrived at 10:00 a.m.,
20 May 1928.
11. The following named men
participated in the engagement:
Pvt. McMullan, Bethea.
Pvt. Early, Raymond J.
Pvt. Davis, Horace A.
/s/ Edward F. O'Day.
127/204/3
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