moses was detached from sea duties in october 1911 and served as an instructor at the advanced base school at philadelphia navy yard until august 1912. he was then attached to the marine expeditionary forces under colonel joseph h. pendleton and sailed for nicaragua in order to protect american interests during the failed coup d'état led by anti-government forces under former nicaraguan secretary of war luis mena. moses participated in the bombardment, assault and capture of coyotepe hill fortifications and in the capture and occupation of the city of león.