Photos below
The Marine Security
Guard of the U.S. Embassy conducted a small ceremony Monday
(Nov. 10) at the British Cemetery to remember Private William
Bates, the only U.S. Marine buried in Montevideo.
In 1889 Private Bates was
stationed aboard the USS Tallapoosa, which patrolled the
waters off Argentina, Uruguay and the Falkland Islands.
The crew of the Tallapoosa were the last foreign power to
occupy land in Uruguay. The local government had requested
the presence of Marines ashore in Colonia.
The conditions, long hours
of duty and harsh weather combined, made Private Bates susceptible
to dysentery. He became gravely ill on April 16, 1889, and
was taken ashore in Montevideo and admitted to the British
Hospital. His condition became worse and he died on April
26th, 1889, at the age of 23.
Five Marines, along with other
U.S. military officials and embassy representatives attended
the ceremony. The Marines placed flags and flowers on the
grave. Sgt. Robert L.
Snyder researched and and arranged for the tombstone which
was funded by the U.S. Veterans Administration.
"Being a Marine sometimes
means that you will die on duty or alone," said MSG
Detachment Commander Wesley Moran, during the ceremony.
""The Marine Corps instills a sense of loyalty
in all Marines. This loyalty and it's foundation is best
when it is expressed from one Marine to another. The Marine
Detachment, Montevideo would like everyone to know that
Private William Bates is not forgotten."
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 |
| The
headstone of William Bates, the only U.S. Marine buried
in Montevideo, was arranged for by the Marine Security
Detachment in Montevideo. |
MSG
Detachment Commander Wesley Moran makes
brief remarks before other U.S. military and embassy
officials at the British Cemetery. |
 |
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| Moran lays flowers on Bates'
grave on the 228th birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps.
|
Members of the MSG detachment
in Montevideo take part in ceremony to honor fellow
Marine buried in British Cemetery. |
