The last major engagement of the Sandino Rebellion, ending a six-year insurgency against the U.S. occupation of Nicaragua.
Key Facts
- Date
- 26 December 1932
- U.S. Marines involved
- 8
- Nicaraguan National Guardsmen
- 64
- Sandinista casualties
- 31 killed
- Marines/Guard losses
- 3 killed, 3 wounded
- Battle duration
- 1 hour and 10 minutes
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Nicaraguan President José María Moncada planned a ceremony on 28 December 1932 to mark the completion of the León–El Sauce railway. Rumors circulated that Sandinista rebels intended to disrupt the event, prompting authorities to dispatch a combined force of eight U.S. Marines and 64 National Guardsmen by train to secure the area around El Sauce two days before the ceremony.
On 26 December 1932, as the troop train passed ancient ruins near El Sauce, Sandinista rebels under Juan Pablo Umanzor—who had been looting a construction commissary—ambushed it from both sides of the tracks. Soldiers under Captain Lewis B. Puller and First Lieutenant William A. Lee dismounted and fought back, with Corporal Bennie M. Bunn using a Browning automatic rifle to drive the rebels off. After one hour and ten minutes, the Marines and Guard prevailed.
The battle ended with 31 Sandinista dead and 63 horses captured, against losses of three killed and three wounded for the Guard. The railway ceremony proceeded as planned two days later. President Moncada, impressed by American performance, promoted Puller to major and Lee to captain. The engagement is recognized as the last major battle of the Sandino Rebellion.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Captain Lewis B. Puller, First Lieutenant William A. Lee.
Side B
1 belligerent
Juan Pablo Umanzor.