George M. Lowry

Infobox Military Person
name= George M. Lowry
born= birth date|1889|10|27
died= 1981
placeofbirth= Erie, Pennsylvania
placeofdeath=
placeofburial= Buried at sea


caption= Harry C. Beasely, Medal of Honor recipient
nickname=
allegiance=flag|United States of America
branch=
serviceyears=
rank= Rear Admiral
commands=
unit=
battles= United States occupation of Veracruz, 1914
awards= Medal of Honor, Legion of Merit

George Maus Lowry (Oct. 27, 1889 to 1981) served as a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for actions during the United States occupation of Veracruz, 1914.

Life

Lowry was born in Erie, Pennsylvania on October 27, 1889, the son of Ricardo St. Phillip Lowry. [http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Lowry&GSob=c&GRid=13046603& George M Lowry entry on Find a Grave website] , accessed Sept. 30, 2008.] After appointment to the United States Naval Academy, Lowry graduated on June 2, 1911.

In 1913, he commanded the US Brig Niagara on a tour of the Great Lakes after the sunken ship was raised and reconstructed.

He was married to Caroline Coleman, who died in 1979.

ervice during United States occupation of Veracruz

In 1914, Ensign Lowry took part in the United States occupation of Veracruz, 1914, where he lead the First Company of armed Navy sailors (known as "Bluejackets") from the U.S.S. Florida.The Landing at Veracruz, 1914, by Jack Sweetman, U.S. Naval Institute Press, 1968, page 72.] Tasked with capturing the city's Customs House, Lowry's company became pinned down by "murderous rifle and machine-gun fire." Deciding not to risk his entire company in a frontal attack, Lowry instead asked for volunteers to approach the Custom's House from the side. Five men volunteered: Joseph G. Harner, Coxswain J. F. Schumaker, Boatswain's Mate Second Class George Cregan, and Seamen Harry C. Beasley and Lawrence C. Sinnett.

Lowry lead the volunteers into a narrow alley, where they came under a cross fire from riflemen in the Custom's Building and machine gunners in a nearby hotel. During this fighting, "A bullet clipped one of the buttons off Lowry's cap and another tore through his right legging, creasing the flesh. Beasley was slightly wounded, and Schumaker was shot through the head."

After his men were able to silence the machine gunners with return rifle fire, Lowry called for a corpsman to help Schumaker. Hospital Apprentice First Class William Zuiderveld ran down the alley and tried to stop the flow of blood from Schumaker's head, but was unable to do so. Schumaker soon died. [The Landing at Veracruz, 1914, by Jack Sweetman, U.S. Naval Institute Press, 1968, page 72-3.]

Once Zuiderveld carried Schumaker to the rear, Lowry and his surviving men worked their way up the alley and scaled the wall around the Custom's House. After Lowry and his men smashed through a window of the Custom's House, the personnel inside surrendered.

Several days later, Lowry returned to the scene and counted twelve bullet impacts on the wall where his men had climbed it. [The Landing at Veracruz, 1914, by Jack Sweetman, U.S. Naval Institute Press, 1968, page 73.]

Lowry, along with almost all of the men who volunteered for the attack, was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions.

Medal of Honor citation

"Rank and organization:" Ensign, U.S. Navy. "Place and date:" Vera Cruz, Mexico, 21-22 April 1914. "Entered service at:" Pennsylvania. "Birth:" Erie, Pa. G.O. No.: 177, 4 December 1915.

Citation:

:For distinguished conduct in battle, engagements of Vera Cruz, 21-22 April 1914; Ens. Lowry was in both days' fighting at the head of his company, and was eminent and conspicuous in his conduct, leading his men with skill and courage. [cite web |title=Medal of Honor Recipients - Mexican Campaign (Vera Cruz) |publisher=United States Army Center of Military History |date=2007-07-16 |url=http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/mohmex.html |accessdate=2008-09-30]

Later career

During Lowry's later career, he commanded the USS Coghlan, USS O'Bannon and USS MacDonough. Prior to leaving the Navy in 1927, he also served in the Bureau of Navigation.

In 1940 Lowry rejoined the Navy and served as assistant operations officer in the 12th Naval District. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Lowry served as "operations officer and as convoy and routing officer of the Western Sea Frontier during World War II."

In 1942 he was promoted to Captain, and to Rear Admiral in 1947.

Later life

After the war, Lowry wrote several articles which were printed in the United States Naval Institute magazine "Proceedings", including "Exploits of the U-53," "The Clipperton Operations" and "L-16: Mystery No Longer." After his death in 1981, he was buried at sea per his previous request. There is currently a professorship in his honor at the Navy War College in Newport, Rhode Island.

See also

* List of Medal of Honor recipients for the 1914 United States occupation of Veracruz

References

External links

* [http://www.homeofheroes.com/moh/citations_1900_wars/mx_lowry.html Medal of Honor Citation for George Lowry]