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On New Year's Day in 1914 there was simply no awareness in the United States that an unprecedented catastrophe was about to befall Europe, much of the rest of the world, and eventually America itself. Things were heating up on the border with Mexico for the Wilson administration. The president would eventually authorize expeditions into Mexico at Vera Cruz and to chase down Pancho Villa while the Great War was raging in Europe.
Fifty six Medals of Honor were approved for actions during the Vera Cruz occupation. Included on the medal roll was the legendary Marine Smedley Butler. This was his first CMOH; later he received another for heroic actions in Haiti. Butler tried to refuse the Vera Cruz medal because he said that his actions didn't warrant a CMOH, and when told that he had to to keep it he refused to wear it.
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