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Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

Lieutenant Commander · U.S. Navy

Allen Buchanan

Lieutenant Commander Allen Buchanan, Navy, received the Medal of Honor for actions on April 21, 1914 in Vera Cruz, Mexico during the 1914 Veracruz expedition.

Mexican Campaign (Vera Cruz) April 21, 1914

Lieutenant Commander Allen Buchanan was a sailor in the U.S. Navy who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on April 21, 1914 in Vera Cruz, Mexico during the 1914 Veracruz expedition. Buchanan was 37 years old.

40 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. He later rose to the rank of Captain.

Buchanan was born on December 22, 1876 in Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana. His Medal of Honor is credited to Indiana. Buchanan died on January 12, 1940, at the age of 63. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.

Buchanan is one of 56 Medal of Honor recipients from the 1914 Veracruz expedition and one of 75 credited to Indiana.

Official Medal of Honor citation

For distinguished conduct in battle, engagements of Vera Cruz, 21-22 April 1914. In command of the 1st Seaman Regiment, Lt. Comdr. Buchanan was in both days' fighting and almost continually under fire from soon after landing, about noon of the 21st, until we were in possession of the city, about noon of the 22d. His duties required him to be at points of great danger in directing his officers and men, and he exhibited conspicuous courage, coolness, and skill in his conduct of the fighting. Upon his courage and skill depended, in great measure, success or failure. His responsibilities were great, and he met them in a manner worthy of commendation.

Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.

Other decorations and honors

Besides the Medal of Honor, Allen Buchanan received:

Navy Cross

Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.

Battles and campaigns

Also served in: World War I.

Places

  • Born: Evansville — map
  • Buried: Arlington National Cemetery — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Indiana →

Timeline

  1. December 22, 1876
    Born in Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana
  2. April 21, 1914
    Act of valor — Vera Cruz, Mexico
    Age 37.
  3. January 12, 1940
    Died
    Age 63.
  4. Resting place
    Arlington National Cemetery
    Arlington, Virginia

Biography

Allen Buchanan (December 22, 1876 – January 12, 1940) was an officer in the United States Navy and a Medal of Honor recipient for his role in the United States occupation of Veracruz.

From the Wikipedia article “Allen Buchanan (Medal of Honor)”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

Further reading

Also honored for actions on April 21, 1914

OB Oscar Charles Badger Ensign · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 HB Harry C. Beasley Seaman · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 Randolph Carter Berkeley Major · Marine Corps Veracruz 1914 · 1914 Charles Francis Bishop Quartermaster Second Class · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 GB George Bradley Chief Gunner's Mate · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 Guy Wilkinson stuart Castle Lieutenant · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 George McCall Courts Lieutenant, j.g. · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 GC George Cregan Coxswain · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 PD Percy A. Decker Boatswain's Mate Second Class · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 Abraham Desomer Lieutenant · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 ND Niels Drustrup Lieutenant · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 JD Jesse Farley Dyer Captain · Marine Corps Veracruz 1914 · 1914

See all 41 recipients for April 21, 1914 →

More Veracruz 1914 recipients from Indiana

Jonas Howard Ingram Lieutenant, j.g. · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914
Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Wikidata and Wikipedia. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.