In 1914, Zuiderveld took part in the United States occupation of Veracruz, serving as a hospital corpsman with a company of armed sailors (known as "Bluejackets") who were tasked with capturing the city's Customs House.

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

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

[1] Once Zuiderveld carried Schumaker – who would soon die – to the rear, Lowry and his surviving men worked their way up the alley and scaled the wall around the Customs House.

Citation: On board the USS Florida, Zuiderveld showed extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession during the seizure of Vera Cruz, Mexico, 21 April 1914.