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Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

Lieutenant · U.S. Navy

Frederick Vallette McNair Jr.

Lieutenant Frederick Vallette McNair Jr., Navy, received the Medal of Honor for actions on April 22, 1914 in Vera Cruz, Mexico during the 1914 Veracruz expedition.

Mexican Campaign (Vera Cruz) April 22, 1914

Lieutenant Frederick Vallette McNair Jr. was a sailor in the U.S. Navy who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on April 22, 1914 in Vera Cruz, Mexico during the 1914 Veracruz expedition. McNair was 32 years old.

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

McNair was born on March 13, 1882 in Maryland. McNair died on September 2, 1962, at the age of 80. He is buried at U.S. Naval Academy Cemetery in Annapolis, Maryland.

McNair is one of 56 Medal of Honor recipients from the 1914 Veracruz expedition.

Official Medal of Honor citation

For distinguished conduct in battle engagement of Vera Cruz, 22 April 1914. Lt. McNair was eminent and conspicuous in command of his battalion. He exhibited courage and skill in leading his men through the action of the 22d and in the final occupation of the city.

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

Other decorations and honors

Besides the Medal of Honor, Frederick Vallette McNair Jr. received:

Navy Cross

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

Battles and campaigns

1914 · Veracruz 1914

Battle of Veracruz

Result: American victory; Veracruz occupied by the United States; Military Government of Veracruz established;...

19 Medal of Honor recipients

Also served in: World War I.

Life beyond the battlefield

Source: Wikidata.

Places

  • Born: Maryland — map
  • Died: Annapolis — map
  • Buried: United States Naval Academy Cemetery — map

Timeline

  1. March 13, 1882
    Born in Maryland
  2. April 22, 1914
    Act of valor — Vera Cruz, Mexico
    Age 32.
  3. September 2, 1962
    Died
    Age 80.
  4. Resting place
    U.S. Naval Academy Cemetery
    Annapolis, Maryland

Biography

Frederick Vallette McNair Jr. (March 13, 1882 – September 2, 1962) was an officer of the United States Navy and a recipient of the Medal of Honor for his actions at the beginning of the U.S. occupation of Veracruz, Mexico. McNair was a graduate of the United States Naval Academy (Class of 1903), the son of Rear Admiral Frederick V. McNair (Class of 1857), the grandfather of tennis star Frederick V. McNair, IV and poet-novelist Lailee McNair.

From the Wikipedia article “Frederick V. McNair Jr.”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

Further reading

Also honored for actions on April 22, 1914

Edwin Alexander Anderson Captain · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 Smedley Darlington Butler Major · Marine Corps Veracruz 1914 · 1914 Albertus Wright Catlin Major · Marine Corps Veracruz 1914 · 1914 Hugh Carroll Frazer Ensign · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 JG John Grady Lieutenant · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 Charles Conway Hartigan Lieutenant · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 Jonas Howard Ingram Lieutenant, j.g. · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 Rufus Zenas Johnston Jr. Lieutenant Commander · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 Cary Devall Langhorne Surgeon · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 James Patrick Lannon Lieutenant · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 JM John McCloy Chief Boatswain · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 AS Adolphus Staton Lieutenant · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914

See all 14 recipients for April 22, 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.