George Croghan Reid

He led Marines past machine guns in the streets of Veracruz.

George Croghan Reid was born in Lorain, Ohio, on 9 December 1876. After school and study at Oberlin College, he volunteered for the Marine Corps during the Spanish-American War and received a commission in May 1898. He served with the 1st Marine Battalion during the operations against Manzanillo, Cuba. After a brief discharge, he joined the regular Marine Corps in April 1899.

His first Asiatic tour included the Philippine campaign and the 1900 China Relief Expedition. He marched with the forces relieving the foreign legations besieged in Peking. Subsequent assignments took him to American naval stations, Panama and another tour in the Philippines. In 1904 he married Mary Calhoun. In 1912 he participated in the intervention in Nicaragua, including the fighting at Coyotepe and Barranca.

On 21 and 22 April 1914, Major Reid led a Marine battalion during the occupation of Veracruz, Mexico. His men faced machine-gun and rifle fire along Cinco de Mayo and neighboring streets. His Medal of Honor citation credited his courage, judgment and handling of the battalion with keeping its casualties comparatively low while overcoming resistance.

During the First World War Reid served at Quantico, Virginia, and Galveston, Texas. From 1919 to 1921 he served with the 2nd Provisional Brigade in the Dominican Republic and, for part of that tour, commanded the Dominican National Guard. He subsequently attended the Naval War College, commanded the Marine Barracks at New York, and completed the Army War College course.

Later assignments included command of Marines on Guam and recruiting duty in Chicago. He retired in September 1930 and eventually held the retired rank of brigadier general. Reid died at the Air Force hospital in Harlingen, Texas, on 19 February 1961. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Medal of Honor Citation

For distinguished conduct in battle, engagements of Vera Cruz, 21-22 April 1914; 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. His cool judgment and courage and his skill in handling his men in encountering and overcoming the machine-gun and rifle fire down Cinco de Mayo and parallel streets account for the small percentage of the losses of marines under his command.