This Military Service Page was created/owned by
CWO2 Philip E. Montroy
to remember
Marine Col Philip Bannon.
If you knew or served with this Marine and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE.
Contact Info
Home Town Jessup
Last Address USNH San Diego
Date of Passing Jun 25, 1940
Location of Interment Rosecrans National Cemetery (VA) - San Diego, California
The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in transmitting to Second Lieutenant Philip Michael Bannon, United States Marine Corps, the Brevet Medal which is awarded in accordance with Marine Corps Order No. 26 (1921), for distinguished service in battle while serving with Company C, First Marine (Huntington's) Battalion, at Guantanamo, Cuba, on 13 June 1898. On 10 August 1898 Second Lieutenant Bannon is appointed First Lieutenant, by brevet, to take rank from 13 June 1898.
Other Comments:
Col. Bannon was not well-known, but was a very proud, dedicated and courageous Marine Corps Officer. He was a credit to the Corps and to his Country. Col. Bannon's decorations included:
Marine Corps Brevet Medal
Sampson Medal (same criteria as West Indies Campaign Medal)
Spanish Campaign Medal
Philippine Campaign Medal
China Relief Expedition Medal
Cuban Pacification Medal
Mexican Campaign Medal
Second Nicaraguan Campaign Medal
Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal
World War I Victory Medal
Military Order of the Carabao
Military Order of the Dragon
SEMPER FI Colonel Bannon!
US Second Occupation of Nicaragua
From Month/Year
December / 1926
To Month/Year
December / 1933
Description Civil war erupted between the conservative and liberal factions on May 2, 1926, with liberals capturing Bluefields, and José María Moncada Tapia capturing Puerto Cabezas in August. Dr. Juan Bautista Sacasa declared himself Constitutional President of Nicaragua from Puerto Cabezas on Dec. 1 Following Emiliano Chamorro Vargas' resignation, the Nicaraguan Congress selected Adolfo Diaz as designado, who then requested intervention from President Calvin Coolidge. On January 24, 1927, the first elements of US forces arrived, with 400 marines.
Government forces were defeated on Feb 6 at Chinandega, followed by another defeat at Muy Muy, prompting US marine landings at Corinto and occupation of La Loma Fort in Managua. Ross E. Rowell's Observation Squadron arrived on Feb 26, which included DeHavilland DH-4s. By March, the US had 2,000 troops in Nicaragua under the command of General Logan Feland. In May, Henry Stimson brokered a peace deal which included disarmament and promised elections in 1928. However, the Liberal commander Augusto César Sandino, and 200 of his men refused to give up the revolution.
On June 30, Sandino seized the San Albino gold mine, denounced the Conservative government, and attracted recruits to continue operations. The next month saw the Battle of Ocotal. Despite additional conflict with Sandino's rebels, US supervised elections were held on November 4, 1928, with Moncada the winner. Manuel Giron was captured and executed in February 1929, and Sandino took a year's leave in Mexico.
The Hoover administration started a US pullout such that by February 1932, only 745 men remained. Dr. Juan Sacasa was elected president in the November 6, 1932 election. The Battle of El Sauce was the last major engagement of the US intervention.
