In 1914, Ensign Lowry took part in the United States occupation of Veracruz, where he led the First Company of armed Navy sailors (known as "Bluejackets") from the USS Florida (BB-30).

[1] Tasked with capturing the city's Customs House, Lowry's company became pinned down by "murderous rifle and machine-gun fire."

Deciding not to risk his entire company in a frontal attack, Lowry instead asked for volunteers to approach the Customs House from the side.

Five men volunteered: Joseph Gabriel Harner, Coxswain J. F. Schumaker, Boatswain's Mate Second Class George Cregan, and Seamen Harry C. Beasley and Lawrence C. Sinnett.

Lowry led the volunteers into a narrow alley, where they came under a crossfire from riflemen in the Customs Building and machine gunners in a nearby hotel.

Hospital Apprentice First Class William Zuiderveld ran down the alley and tried to stop the flow of blood from Schumaker's head, but was unable to do so.

[2] Once Zuiderveld carried Schumaker to the rear, Lowry and his surviving men worked their way up the alley and scaled the wall around the Custom's House.

Lowry was in both days' fighting at the head of his company, and was eminent and conspicuous in his conduct, leading his men with skill and courage.