The United States Marine Corps
in the
World War
by
Major Edwin N. McClellan, USMC
First Printed 1920
Facsimile Reprinted 1968
Historical Branch, G-3 Division
Headquarters, U. S. Marine Corps
Washington, D. C. 20380
Lieutenant Colonel Edwin North McClellan, USMC
ii
HEADQUARTERS U. S. MARINE CORPS
OFFICE OF THE COMMANDANT
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20380
FOREWORD
Fifty years ago, men of the Fourth Brigade of Marines, 2d Division of
Regulars and of the Day Wing, Northern Bombing Group took part in a memorable
series of campaigns in France as part of the American Expeditionary Force.
The names of many of the battles in which they fought, in particular Belleau
Wood, became household words to their countrymen. In part to provide a record
of the Marine Corps' efforts in World War I, the then Commandant, Major
General George Barnett, directed that a Historical Division be established at
Marine Corps Headquarters and that a history of our participation in that war
be written.
This monograph, THE UNITED STATES MARINES IN THE WORLD WAR by Major Edwin
N. McClellan, first published in 1920 and long out of print, has proved to be
an accurate, highly useful, and concise accounting of the growth, activities,
and combat exploits of Marines. It is particularly fitting that we republish
Major McClellan's work in this anniversary year for the many persons, Marines
and others, who have expressed interest in this important segment of our
history.
In a larger sense, this republication is also a tribute to its author.
Lieutenant Colonel McClellan retired in 1936 after 29 years of distinguished
service to the Marine Corps. Twice the head of the Historical Division
(1919-1925 and 1930-1933), he wrote a monumental source history of the early
years of the Marine Corps, which was made available in manuscript form to many
major public and university libraries. "McClellan's History" is still the
essential starting point for any meaningful research into our past. In
addition, this dedicated officer wrote numerous articles for professional
publications that exposed an entire generation of Marines to
iii
the interesting facts, personalities, and events of their heritage.
With pleasure that I authorize the republication of this work and commend
again a man who in his time was the Marine Corps historian.
L. F. CHAPMAN, JR.
General, U.S. Marine Corps
Commandant of the Marine Corps
Reviewed and Approved: 12 September 1968
iv
Table of Contents
Original On-Line
Page Page
Facsimile reprint of the original monograph, 1-108 12
including index
Appendix 1 - Corrected total Marine Corps 109 111
death statistics of page 66 in the
original monograph
v
The
United States Marine Corps
in the
World War
By
EDWIN N. McCLELLAN
Major, U. S. Marines
Officer in Charge Historical Division
U. S. MARINE CORPS EMBLEM
WASHINGTON
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
1920
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This brief history has been prepared for the purpose of acquainting both
the personnel of the service and the public with the general facts concerning
the United States Marine Corps in the World War.
It is a partial compliance with the instructions contained in Marine
Corps Orders No. 53 (Series 1919), directing that a history of the United
States Marine Corps for the period of the World War be prepared, and is
preliminary to the final and detailed history of the United States Marine
Corps during the World War, which is in course of preparation.
The statistics and other information contained herein are as accurate as
it is possible to obtain at the present date. Every effort has been made to
avoid expressions of opinions and criticisms, or the drawing of conclusions of
an important nature.
3
LETTER OF TRANSMISSION.
NOVEMBER 26, 1919.
From: Officer in Charge Historical Division, Adjutant and Inspector's
Department, United States Marine Corps.
To: The Major General Commandant
Via: Officer in Charge, Adjutant and Inspector's Department.
Subject: The United States Marine Corps in the World War.
1. There is transmitted herewith for your formal approval a concise
history of the United States Marine Corps in the World War, including certain
statistics, with the recommendation that it be published to the naval service.
EDWIN N. McCLELLAN.
[First endorsement.]
ADJUTANT AND INSPECTOR'S DEPARTMENT,
HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS,
Washington, D. C., November 26, 1919.
From: The Acting Adjutant and Inspector.
To: The Major General Commandant.
1. Forwarded, approved.
H. C. HAINES.
Approved:
GEORGE BARNETT,
Major General Commandant,
United States Marine Corps.
Approved:
JOSEPHUS DANIELS,
Secretary of the Navy.
5
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Page
CHAPTER I. In general......................................... 9
II. Statutory and actual strength of the Marine
Corps on various dates........................... 11
III. Recruiting--Applicants, rejection, enlistments--
Enlistments by States............................ 14
IV. Geographical location and disposition of Marines
during the war................................... 17
V. How officers were obtained and trained............. 21
VI. Training of enlisted men in the United States and
Europe........................................... 25
VII. Organizations and replacements sent to Europe--
Organization of the Fourth and Fifth Brigades.... 29
VIII. Operations in general.............................. 36
IX. Units composing the Second Division-Commanding
generals of the Second Division-Verdun operations 38
X. Aisne Defensive-Hill 142--Bouresches--Bois de la....
Brigade de Marine................................ 40
XI. Aisne-Marne Offensive (Soissons)................... 45
XII. Marbachesector, near Pont-a-Mousson on the Moselle.
River--St. Mihiel Offensive...................... 48
XIII. The Champagne-Battle of Blanc Mont Ridge--Capture
of St. Etienne-March to Leffincourt.............. 49
XIV. Meuse-Argonne Offensive-Crossing the Meuse River... 53
XV. March to the Rhine--Army of Occupation--Summary of
operations of the Fourth Brigade................. 56
XVI. With the Navy on board the battleships and cruisers 59
XVII. The activities of the Fifth Brigade................ 62
XVIII. Statistics concerning casualties................... 65
XIX. Citations of Marine units by French-Days in France-
Artillery captured-Prisoners captured-Kilometers
advanced against the enemy-Decorations awarded
Marines.......................................... 67
XX. Rifle practice-Rifle and pistol competitions
participated in by Marines during the war........ 69
XXI. Aviation statistics................................ 71
XXII. Marine Corps Reserve............................... 76
XXIII. Return of Marines from Europe Parades in the United
States........................................... 78
XXIV. Demobilization..................................... 80
XXV. The Office of the Major General Commandant--The
Adjutant and Inspector's Department.............. 83
XXVI. The Paymaster's Department......................... 84
XXVII. The Quartermaster's Department..................... 89
7
THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS IN THE WORLD WAR.
Chapter I.
IN GENERAL.
When a state of war was declared to exist on April 6, 1917, the United
States Marine Corps was composed of 462 commissioned officers, 49 warrant
officers, and 13,214 enlisted men on active duty, a total of 13,725 and, while
the corps was expanded to an actual strength, including reserves, of 75,101
officers and enlisted men, its high standard was never lowered. When these
figures are compared with the approximate strength of 3,100 at the end of the
Civil War, and of 4,800 at the end of the Spanish War, the growth of the
Marine Corps is illustrated.
Despite the fact that on the outbreak of war, 187 officers and 4,546
enlisted men were on duty beyond the continental limits of the United States,
and 49 officers, and 2,187 enlisted men were serving on board the cruising
vessels of the Navy, only five weeks later, on June 14,1917, the Fifth
Regiment of Marines, consisting of 70 officers and 2,689 enlisted men,
approximately one-sixth of the enlisted strength of the Marine Corps,
competently organized and ready for active service, sailed on the HENDERSON,
DE KALB, and HANCOCK from the United States, forming one-fifth of the first
expedition of American troops for service in France.
This regiment was soon joined by the Sixth Regiment and the Sixth Machine
Gun Battalion of Marines, and the Fourth Brigade of Marines was organized, and
as one of the two Infantry brigades of the Second Division of Regulars engaged
in actual battle in no less than eight distinct operations in France, of which
four were major operations.
The French Army recognized the splendid work of the Fifth and Sixth
Regiments of Marines by citing them no less than three times in Army orders
for achievements in the Chateau-Thierry sector, in the Aisne-Marne (Soissons)
offensive, and in the Meuse-Argonne (Champagne). The Sixth Machine Gun
Battalion was similarly cited for its work in the Chateau-Thierry sector and
Aisne-Marne (Soissons) offensive. The Fourth Brigade received a similar
citation for its work in the Chateau-Thierry sector. Since two French Army
citations are sufficient to make an organization eligible for the award of the
French fourragere, the high standard of the Marine units is evident.
Information was received in January, 1920, that the War Department had
accepted the award of the French fourragere in the colors of the ribbon of the
Croix de Guerre for several Army organizations and the three units of the
Fourth Brigade.
9
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS IN THE WORLD WAR.
Within one year after the outbreak of war the Marine Corps placed about
as many enlisted men in France as there were in the Marine Corps when war was
declared.
During the month of June, 1918, when the battle deaths around Hill 142,
Bouresches, Belleau Wood, and Vaux, of Americans attached to the Second
Division amounted to 1,811 (of which at least 1,062 were Marines) and the
nonfatal casualties to 7,252 more (of which 3,615 were Marines), the
legislative strength of the Marine Corps was but 1,323 officers and 30,000
enlisted men; the actual strength on June 30, 1918, including reserves, was
1,424 officers and 57,298 enlisted men, and of this total about 300 officers
and 14,000 enlisted men were in France. These latter figures include those
Marines who suffered casualties in the battles of June, 1918.
Approximately 30,000 Marines were sent overseas to join the American
Expeditionary Forces, and 1,600 for naval duty ashore.
During the war a great many additional Marine detachments were detailed
to guard the radio stations, naval magazines, ammunition depots, warehouses,
cable stations and for other naval activities, and the detachments already
established were largely augmented. No call was made for additional Marines
for naval purposes that was not fully met, and this is of especial interest as
the Marine Corps is essentially a part of the Naval Establishment, and its
first duty is to fill all naval needs and requirements. It was believed to be
essential that the Marine Corps should do its full part in this war, and for
that reason it was absolutely necessary that the Marines should join the Army
on the western front, taking care, however, that this should not at any time
interfere in the slightest degree with the filling of all naval requirements.
The Marine Corps, while maintaining the Fourth Brigade of Marines, a
total of 258 officers and 8,211 enlisted men, that fought in eight battle
operations suffering approximately 12,000 casualties, placed and maintained
the Fifth Brigade of Marines of the same strength in France; supplied the
commanding general of the Second Division, and many officers on his staff;
furnished a considerable number of officers to command Army units of the
Second and other divisions, and for staff and detached duty throughout the
American Expeditionary Forces; participated in the naval aviation activities
in France and in the Azores; and during the period of the war succeeded in
performing in a highly satisfactory manner the naval duties required of it,
including the maintenance of two brigades of prewar strength standing by to
protect the Mexican oil fields, and as an advanced base force in Philadelphia;
one in Cuba; one in Santo Domingo, and one in Haiti; administered and
officered the Haitian Gendarmerie and Guardia Nacional Dominicana; as well as
providing efficient Marine detachments for numerous naval vessels, and
maintaining garrisons at the numerous navy yards and naval stations in the
United States; and in the Virgin Islands; Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; Pearl Harbor,
Hawaiian Islands; Guam; Cavito and Olongapo, P. I.; Managua, Nicaragua;
Peking, China; San Juan, P. R.; London, England; Cardiff, Wales; Paris,
France; and the Azores; and supplied many officers and enlisted men for
special and detached duty at home and abroad.
10
Chapter II.
STATUTORY AND ACTUAL STRENGTH OF THE MARINE CORPS
ON VARIOUS DATES.
STATUTORY STRENGTH.
The act of Congress of August 29, 1916, increased the authorized strength
of the Marine Corps from 344 officers and 9,921 enlisted men to 597 officers
and 14,981 enlisted men, and the President was authorized in an emergency to
further increase the corps to 693 officers and 17,400 enlisted men, which he
did by Executive order on March 26, 1917.
On April 6, 1917, Congress declared "that a state of war exists between
the United States and the Imperial German Government" and one and one-half
months later, on May 22, 1917, temporarily increased the authorized strength
to 1,197 commissioned officers, 126 warrant officers, and 30,000 enlisted men.
Finally, the act of July 1, 1918, temporarily increased the Marine Corps to
3,017 commissioned officers, 324 warrant officers, and 75,500 enlisted men,
which is the maximum strength ever authorized for the Marine Corps. Of this
number 17,400 were permanent and 57,650 temporary. In addition to the above,
the act of August 29, 1916, which established the Marine Corps Reserve,
permits the enrollment of reserves without limit as to number, and on April 6,
1917, there were enrolled, subject to call to active duty, three Reserve
commissioned officers, 24 National Naval Volunteer officers, 36 Reserve
enlisted men, and 928 enlisted National Naval Volunteers. There were also
available for recall to active duty 65 regular retired commissioned officers,
one regular retired warrant officer, and 210 regular retired enlisted men.
ACTUAL STRENGTH OF THE MARINE CORPS AT THE BEGINNING AND
END OF THE WAR.
On April 6, 1917, the strength of the Marine Corps on active duty was as
follows:
Regular commissioned officers:
Major General Commandant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Brigadier Generals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Colonels. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Lieutenant colonels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Majors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Captains. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
First lieutenants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Second lieutenants. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
---------
Total regular officers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 419
=========
Regular commissioned retired officers:
On active duty. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
=========
11
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS IN THE WORLD WAR.
Regular warrant officers:
Marine gunners 20
Quartermaster clerks 20
Pay clerks 9
Total warrant officers 49
Total regular officers 511
Total regular enlisted men 13,214
Total strength on active duty 13,725
On November 11, 1918, the strength of the Marine Corps on active duty was as
follows:
Regular commissioned officers:
Major General Commandant 1
Major generals 2
Brigadier generals 13
Colonels 43
Lieutenant-colonels 52
Majors 199
Captains 522
First lieutenants 436
Second lieutenants 413
-----
Total Regular officers 1,681
Commissioned retired officers:
On active duty 43
Reserve officers on active duty:
Majors 7
Captains 33
First lieutenants 63
Second lieutenants 360
-----
Total Reserve officers 463
Total commissioned officers an active duty 2, 187
Regular warrant officers:
Marine gunners 109
Quartermaster clerks 89
Pay clerks 56
----
Total 254
Reserve warrant officers:
Marine gunners 27
Quartermaster clerks 2
Pay clerks 4
---
Total 33
Total warrant officers on active duty 287
Total officers on active duty 2,474
Enlisted personnel:
Regular 63,714
Retired enlisted men on active duty 15
Reserves, on active duty 6,483
Female reservists, on active duty 277
-------
Total 70,459
Total strength on active duty 72,963
12
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS IN THE WORLD WAR.
On December 11, 1918, the Marine Corps attained its maximum strength on
active duty, which was distributed as follows:
Regular commissioned officers 1,678
Retired officers on active duty 44
Reserve commissioned officers 452
Regular warrant officers 257
Reserve warrant officers 31
Regular enlisted men 65,666
Reserve enlisted men 6,704
Female reservists 269
--------
Total 75,101
The maximum enlisted strength of the regular Marine Corps, not including
reserves, during the period between the outbreak of war and the date the
armistice became operative was 63,714 on November 9, 1918.
13
Chapter III.
RECRUITING--APPLICANTS, REJECTIONS, ENLISTMENTS--ENLIST-
MENTS BY STATES.
The recruiting service of the corps was enlarged greatly during the war
and it was so well organized and its method of procedure was so efficient that
it was able to stand the enormous increase of the corps. The real test of any
organization comes when a very great increase is suddenly made and the
recruiting service of the Marine Corps passed that test in a commendable
manner.
On August 8, 1918, by Executive order, volunteer enlistments in the
Marine Corps and enrollments in the reserve were stopped, and from that time
until October 1, 1918, no men were enlisted in the corps with the exception of
those whose cases were pending when the Executive order above mentioned was
issued and some whose enlistments expired and were reenlisted. On September
16, 1918, the Secretary of War approved the terms of a tentative plan proposed
in an informal conference by representatives of the Navy Department, the
Marine Corps, the General Staff, and the Provost Marshal General's Office.
This plan in part provided that the Marine Corps was accorded the
privilege of individual inductions to the amount of 5,000 men, for the months
of October, November, and December, 1918, and January, 1919, and 1,500
thereafter.
As the plan above mentioned operated the men were supplied from the
selective draft, but the choice was given the Marine Corps of accepting or
rejecting men according to the way they measured up to the Marine Corps
standards. The inductees also had a choice in the matter, so they were really
"voluntary inductees." This plan was very favorable and permitted the Marine
Corps to maintain its high standard of enlisted personnel.
Owing to the cessation of hostilities there were but few inductions and
none of the inductees ever reached France prior to the armistice becoming
effective. Regular voluntary inductions into the Marine Corps (through
Provost Marshal General) commenced October 1, 1918, and the last man was
voluntarily inducted on December 13, 1918. Inductions occurred as follows:
October, 1918 2, 787
November, 1918 3, 880
December, 1918 421
------
Total 7, 088
Owing to the signing of the armistice, no more requests were made to the
Provost Marshal General for the induction of men after November 18, 1918.
On December 2, 1918, the President, by proclamation, directed that
voluntary enlistments of registrants into the Navy and Marine
14
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS IN THE WORLD WAR.
Corps would be permitted without notice to local boards, and the provisions of
the selective service law became inoperative so far as the Marine Corps was
concerned.
On December 4, 1918, recruiting on a very limited scale was resumed by
order of the Secretary of the Navy. On that date also, enrollments in the
Marine Corps Reserve were stopped.
Applicants, rejections, enlistments, etc., regular Marine Corps,
not including reserves but including inductees, April, 1917,
to November, 1918.
Appli- by com- Rejected
Date cants. manding by medical Eloped. Declined Enlist- Strength
officer<1> officer<2> oath. ments. Marine
Corps.
Apr. 1 ........................................................ 13,214
Apr. 30 14,607 41 11,673 10 19 2,864 15,813
May 31 15,498 74 10,039 40 50 5,295 20,932
June 30 15,905 47 11,735 16 34 4,073 24,772
July 31 11,778 21 8,183 22 44 3,508 27,045
Aug. 31 6,275 37 4,006 7 4 2,221 29,861
Sept.30 4,846 29 3,996 5 5 811 30,322
Oct. 31 4,335 33 3,661 5 1 635 30,576
Nov. 30 5,577 14 4,942 2 2 617 30,855
Dec. 31 6,788 22 5,305 4 5 1,452 32,016
Jan. 31 5,472 29 3,981 5 3 1,454 33,184
Feb. 28 5,915 31 5,772 4 3 105 33,045
Mar. 31 5,037 18 4,734 2 4 279 33,093
Apr. 30 15,958 44 12,996 3 5 2,010 35,690
May 31 18,336 73 12,956 7 22 5,278 40,722
June 30 23,864 79 18,609 17 36 5,132 45,384
July 31 20,162 224 11,767 9 10 8,152 52,712
Aug. 31 17,286 115 11,528 5 40 5,598 57,628
Sept.30 16,175 190 13,484 5 83 2,404 59,556
Oct. 31 12,176 2 8,923 ..... 1 3,250 62,142
Nov. 30 13,284 2 9,129 ..... 2 4,151 65,459
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total 239,274 1,125 177,419 168 373 60,189 ......
<1> Rejections by commanding officer include minors whose parents refused
consent, married men whole wives refused consent, and men with criminal
records or who were otherwise undesirable.
<2> Rejections by medical officer include all rejections at recruiting
office as well as those rejected by she medical officer at the recruit depot
to which they were transferred.
15
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS IN THE WORLD WAR.
ENLISTMENTS BY STATES.
The following table shows the number of men enlisted in the Marine Corps,
not including reserves enrolled but including inductees, between April 1,
1917, and November 11, 1918. These figures do not include the 13, 214
enlisted men already in the Marine Corps on April 6,1917:
Alabama 313 Nevada 86
Arizona 210 New Jersey 1,251
Arkansas 290 New Hampshire 67
California 2,527 New Mexico 25
Colorado 1,262 New York 6,782
Connecticut 240 North Carolina 488
Delaware 72 North Dakota 225
District of Columbia 451 Ohio 4,968
Florida 110 Oklahoma 384
Georgia 674 Oregon 1,006
Illinois 4,959 Pennsylvania 4,365
Idaho 508 Rhode Island 64
Indiana 1,182 South Carolina 66
Iowa 607 South Dakota 145
Kansas 673 Tennessee 1,418
Kentucky 592 Texas 2,205
Louisiana 832 Utah 898
Maine 24 Vermont 21
Massachusetts 1,957 Virginia 617
Maryland 867 Washington 1,767
Michigan 2,115 West Virginia 598
Minnesota 2,581 Wisconsin 876
Missouri 3,721 Wyoming 92
Mississippi 297 ________
Montana 1,205 Total 57,144
Nebraska 461
Statistics that will show the exact number of officers and enlisted men
from each State are being prepared.
16
Chapter IV
GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION AND DISPOSITION OF MARINES
DURING WAR.
During the period of the war Marines served ashore and afloat all over
the world. The following tables show where they were located at the outbreak
of war and on the date the armistice became operative; also the naval vessels
on which Marines were serving on both of these dates; and the geographical
location of Marines during the war.
Location of Marines on April 6, 1917, and November 11, 1918.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Apr. 6, 1917. Nov. 11, 1918.
Officers. Men. Total. Officers. Men. Total.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Expeditionary
Forces........................................... 1857 23,698 24,555
Azores............................................. 11 188 199
China 8 268 276 11 271 282
England (A. E. F.). See
American Expeditionary
Forces.
England (not A. E. F.)............................. 2 69 71
France (A. E. F.). See
American Expeditionary
Forces
France (not A. E. F.).............................. 146 1,030 1,176
Germany (A. E. F.)
See American Ex-
peditionary Forces.
Guam 9 383 392 14 366 380
Haiti 62 622 684 60 825 885
Hawaiian Islands 3 137 140 10 466 476
Holland (The Hague)......................................... 3 3
Nicaragua 3 111 114 5 118 123
Philippine Islands 7 272 279 12 582 594
Porto Rico San Juan)............................... 1 77 78
Samoa.............................................. 1 ... 1
Santo Domingo 69 1,856 1,925 84 1,879 1,963
Sea duty 49 2,187 2,236 64 2,009 2,073
Spain (Madrid).............................................. 1 1
United States 183 6,481 6,664 1,029 436,00 37,043
Virgin Islands 10 317 327 25 583 608
-----------------------------------------------
Total 419 13,214 13,633 2,431 70,489 72,920
<1>Including enlisted men commissioned in Europe.
MARINES SERVING ON BOARD NAVAL VESSELS.
Marine detachments served on board all the overseas battleships and on
the battleships of Battleship Force Two throughout the war. The Marines of
Battleship Force One of which the MINNESOTA was flagship were temporarily
withdrawn in April, 1918.
Marines were also on board a great many of the cruisers which acted as
escorts for the vessels transporting Army troops to Europe.
17
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS IN THE WORLD WAR.
The following table shows in detail those vessels which carried Marine
detachments at the beginning of the war and on Armistice Day:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ships. Apr. 6, 1917. Nov. 11, 1918.
Officers. Men. Officers. Men.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atlantic Fleet................. 1 ..... 1 .....
Pacific Fleet.................. 1 ..... 1 .....
Asiatic Fleet.................. 1 ..... 1 .....
Battleship Force 2............. 1 ..... 1 .....
Battleship Force............... 1 ..... ..... .....
Cruiser Force.................. ..... ..... 1 .....
Division 6..................... 1 ..... 1 .....
Division 7..................... 1 ..... ..... .....
Division 8..................... ..... ..... 1 .....
Division 9 (Sixth Battle Squadron) ..... ..... 1 .....
Alabama........................ 1 49 ..... .....
Arizona........................ 2 83 2 88
Arkansas....................... 1 76 2 86
Brooklyn....................... 2 69 2 98
Castine........................ ..... 20 ..... .....
Charleston..................... ..... ..... 2 62
Cincinnati..................... 1 40 1 41
Columbia....................... ..... 19 ..... .....
Connecticut.................... 3 65 ..... .....
Constellation.................. ..... 6 ..... 7
Delaware....................... 1 65 2 70
Denver......................... 1 40 ..... .....
Des Moines..................... ..... 38 ..... .....
Dolphin........................ ..... 15 ..... 20
Florida........................ 1 66 2 63
Frederick...................... ..... 2 ..... 64
Galveston...................... 1 39 1 40
George Washington.............. ..... 2 ..... 97
Helena......................... 1 30 1 25
Huntington..................... ..... ..... 2 61
Idaho.......................... ..... ..... 2 19
Louisiana...................... 1 64 ..... .....
Machias........................ ..... 20 ..... .....
Mayflower...................... ..... 15 ..... 5
Michigan....................... 2 62 ..... .....
Minnesota...................... 2 68 ..... .....
Mississippi.................... ..... ..... 2 78
Montana........................ 1 62 2 72
Nebraska....................... 1 68 ..... .....
Nevada......................... 1 77 2 79
New Hampshire.................. 1 67 ..... .....
New Jersey..................... 1 6 ..... .....
New York....................... 1 77 2 20
North Carolina................. ..... ..... 2 65
North Dakota................... 1 64 2 65
Oklahoma....................... 2 77 2 89
Olympia........................ 1 40 ..... .....
Pennsylvania................... 1 94 3 133
Pittsburgh..................... 2 75 2 105
Prairie........................ ..... 19 ..... .....
Pueblo......................... 1 69 2 15
Rhode Island................... 1 64 ..... .....
Seattle........................ 1 61 ..... .....
South Carolina................. 2 65 ..... .....
South Dakota................... ..... ..... 2 59
St. Louis...................... ..... ..... 2 62
Texas.......................... 1 72 2 78
Utah........................... 2 62 2 72
Wilmington..................... 1 30 1 30
Wyoming........................ 1 78 2 82
Yorktown....................... ..... 20 ..... .....
------ ----- ----- -----
Total 49 2,187 64 2,009
In addition to the above-named vessels, Marines served on the LEVIATHAN,
ALBANY, NEW ORLEANS, GEORGIA, KANSAS, VERMONT, SAN DIEGO, and VIRGINIA.
18
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS IN THE WORLD WAR.
GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION OF MARINES DURING THE WAR.
During the period of the war Marines were stationed at the following
posts:
UNITED STATES.
Navy yards and stations.--Portsmouth, N. H.; Boston; New York;
Philadelphia; Annapolis; Washington, D. C.; Norfolk, Va.; Charleston, S. C.;
Key West, Fla.; Pensacola, Fla.; New Orleans; Mare Island, Calif.; Puget
Sound, Wash.; and North Island, Calif.
Naval magazines.--Hingham, Mass.; Fort Lafayette; Iona Island, N. Y.;
Lake; Fort Mifflin, Pa.; St. Juliens Creek, Va.; and Mare Island, Calif.
Naval ammunition depots.--Dover, N. J., and New London, Conn.
Torpedo stations.--Puget Sound, Wash., and Newport, R.I.
Radio stations, etc.--Greenbury, Md.; Point Isabell, Tex.; Radio, Va.;
Key West, Fla.; Chatham, Mass.; Portland, Me.; Rye Beach, Me.; Otter Cliffs,
Me.; naval radio station, Wellfleet, Mass.; French Cable Co., Orleans, Mass.;
Postal Telegraph and Cable Co., Rockport, Mass.; Commercial Telegraph & Cable
Co., Boston; Marconi Wireless Co., Boston; Western Union Co., Boston; Cape
Cod, Mass.; Sayville, N. Y.; New Brunswick, N. J.; Belmar, N. J.; Tuckerton,
N. J.; Beaufort, S. C.; Charleston, S. C.; Annapolis, Md.; Washington, D. C.;
San Diego, Calif.; Chollas Heights, Calif.; Point Arguello, Calif.; Inglewood,
Calif.; East San Pedro, Calif.; Eureka, Calf.; Bolinas, Calif.; Marshall,
Calif.; Farallones Islands, Calif.; Marshfield, Oreg.; Astoria, Oreg.; Lents,
Oreg.; Tatoosh, Wash.; North Head, Wash.
Naval prisons.--Portsmouth, N. H.; Parris island, S. C.; and Mare Island,
Calif.
Naval hospitals.--Boston; New York; Washington, D. C.; Norfolk, Va.; Key
West, Fla.; and Fort Lyons, Col.
Coaling stations.--La Playa, Calif., and Tiburon, Calif.
Receiving ship.--Boston.
Other places.--Headquarters, Washington, D. C.; Office of the Judge
Advocate General; assistant paymasters' offices at New York, Atlanta, Ga., and
San Francisco, Calif.; depots of supplies at Philadelphia, Pa., San Francisco,
Calif., and Charleston, S. C.; naval experimental station, New London, Conn.;
naval district base, New London, Conn.; advanced base force, Philadelphia,
Pa.; mobilization bureau, New York City; third naval district base, New York;
New Navy Building guard, Washington, D. C.; naval mine station, Yorktown, Va.;
naval base, Hampton Roads, Va.; Navy rifle range, Wakefield, Mass.; rifle
range, Winthrop, Md.; naval proving grounds, Indian Head Md. Wissahickon
Barracks, N. J.; Navy fuel depot, Curtis, Md.; Navy ordnance plant,
Charleston, W. Va.; camp of instruction, bayonet team, Lansdowne, Pa.; signal
battalion, Paoli, Pa.; staff office, San Francisco Calif.; Marine barracks,
Quantico, Va.; Fort Crockett, Galveston, Tex.; Gerstner Field, Lake Charles,
La.; naval air station, Cape May, N: J.; naval air station, San Diego, Calif.;
naval school for mechanics, Great Lakes, Ill.; naval air station, Pensacola,
Fla.; Army training field, Mineola, Long island, N. Y.; Marine Corps School of
Machine Gun Instruction at Utica, N. Y., and Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, Boston, Mass.
19
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS IN THE WORLD WAR.
BEYOND CONTINENTAL LIMITS OF UNITED STATES.
American Expeditionary Forces.--In France, England, and Germany.
With naval service in Europe.--Paris, France; Pauillac, France; London,
England; Marine aerodromes between Calais and Dunkirk, France; Croix d'Hins,
Gironde, France; naval base, Ponta Delgada, Azores Islands; Cardiff, Wales.
Naval stations.--Cavite, P. I.; Olongapo, P. I.; Pearl Harbor, Hawaii;
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; Virgin Islands; Guam.
Occupation forces. Santo Domingo, Haiti.
Legation guards.--Peking, China; and Managua, Nicaragua.
Couriers.--Madrid, Spain; The Hague, Holland; Luxembourg Jassy, Roumania;
Stockholm, Sweden; Copenhagen, Denmark; Christiania, Norway; Petrograd,
Archangel, Murman Coast, Russia; Paris, France; London, England; Athens,
Greece; and Rome, Italy.
Constabularies.--Guardia Nacional Dominicana and Haitian gendarmerie.
Radio stations.--Cavite, P. I.; San Juan, Porto Rico; El Cayay, Porto
Rico; Haiti; Croix d'Hins, Gironde, France.
Naval ammunition depot.--Olongapo, P.I.
Naval magazine. Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
Depot of supplies.--Cavite, P. I.
Attaches.--Paris, France; London, England; Yokohama, Japan; Petrograd,
Russia; Stockholm, Sweden; Copenhagen, Denmark; and Christiania, Norway.
20
Chapter V.
HOW OFFICERS WERE OBTAINED AND TRAINED.
HOW OFFICERS WERE OBTAINED.
The outbreak of war made it essential that the corps should be filled as
far as practicable with officers who had had prior military experience and
training, and immediate steps were taken to arrange for the designation and
examination of Marine Corps warrant officers, noncommissioned officers,
graduates of military colleges, and other civilians with military experience
and training.
The appointment of officers subsequent to the declaration of war up to
October, 1917, both for the permanent service and for the temporary increase
authorized for the duration of the war, were drawn from the following sources:
Graduates of the Naval Academy 6
Farmer officer of the Marine Corps 1
Former graduate of the Naval Academy 1
Warrant officers and paymaster's clerks of the Marine Corps 89
Meritorious noncommissioned officers of the Marine Corps 122
Reserve officers and National Naval Volunteers 36
Graduates of military colleges 284
Other civilians with prior military or naval experience or training 136
Other civilians passing the competitive examination held July 10, 1917 86
In order to expedite the training of the new officers, advantage was
taken of the law providing for a Marine Corps Reserve, and successful
candidates were immediately enrolled as second lieutenants in the reserve and
ordered to Marine Corps posts for instruction pending the issuance of their
commissions in the regular service. Candidates designated for the examination
held July 10, 1917, were authorized upon designation to enroll as privates in
the Marine Corps Reserve, with the understanding that upon the completion of
their examination they would be ordered to the Recruit Depot at Parris Island,
S. C., for training pending the receipt of the report of the examining board.
This policy was carried out, and the successful candidates were commissioned
second lieutenants in the Marine Corps, while the unsuccessful candidates were
given the option of continuing in the service as enlisted men or of being
discharged therefrom.
Owing to the unusually large number of young men of excellent education
and fine attainments who had enlisted in the Marine Corps after the outbreak
of war, it was decided that no further appointments of civilians to the rank
of second lieutenant would be made during the continuance of the war, and that
all vacancies occuring in that grade, not required for graduates of the Naval
Academy, would be filled by the promotion of meritorious noncommissioned
officers. This decision was promulgated to the service in Marine Corps Orders
No. 25 (Series 1917).
21
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS IN THE WORLD WAR.
HOW OFFICERS WERE TRAINED.
The officers appointed from civil life, as soon as enrolled, were ordered
to the Marine barracks, Mare Island, Calif.; San Diego, Calif.; Parris Island,
S. C.; and the Marine Corps rifle range, Winthrop, Md., for instruction,
pending the completion of the buildings for their use at the Marine barracks,
Quantico, Va. Early in July, 1917, the buildings being in readiness, the
newly appointed officers, about 345 in number, were assembled at Quantico,
where an officers' camp of instruction was held, and the course completed in
October, 1917.
In carrying out the policy of obtaining officers from the ranks, orders
were issued to commanding officers of every post and station of the Marine
Corps, both at home and abroad, as well as those on board ship, to the effect
that all commissioned officers would be taken from the ranks, and that the
number of men to be designated from each post to attend the training camp
would be a certain percentage of the number of men stationed at such post or
station. Each commanding officer was ordered to convene a board of three
officers to examine into the qualifications of the men at his post, and to
report in the order of merit the names of the men considered qualified for
entry to the officers' training camp at Quantico, Va. These reports were all
forwarded to headquarters, where a board was convened to examine them and to
select, in accordance with their standing as reported by the various boards,
the number of men who it had been decided could be quartered and properly
instructed at Quantico. It was found that about 600 was the limit that could
be accommodated, and approximately this number was selected for the first
camp, which was established at Quantico, Va., in April, 1918.
The officers' training camp was commanded by an officer of adequate rank.
The students were divided into companies with a major in command as chief
instructor and captains and lieutenants to assist him. The candidates were
given a very rigid course of instruction and intensive training. Some of the
studies pursued were: Infantry drill regulations, manual of interior guard
duty, bayonet training, bombing, minor tactics, military engineering, military
topography, administration, military law, lectures on gas and on sea duty, and
a practical course on the rifle range.
The training at these camps was most intensive and thoroughly
competitive, so that a man's position depended entirely upon himself. The
material to draw from was so excellent that comparatively few of those who
entered the camps failed to receive commissions and many of the young men so
commissioned who were assigned to duty abroad demonstrated that their
selection was fully justified.
Many officers also received special training in the schools of the
Overseas Depot at Quantico, Va.
The majority of the members of the first officers' training camp were
graduated in July, 1918. Three hundred of this camp were commissioned on July
15, 1918, and 91 on August 15, 1918.
The same proportionate allowance that was made in the United States was
also designated for the Marines serving in France, and similar means were
instituted there to carry out the policy of selection of men for the training
camp. As a result of the camp estab-
22
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS IN THE WORLD WAR.
lished over there, 164 second lieutenants were appointed from the Fourth
Brigade in France.
The second officers' training camp was opened at Quantico, Va., on August
20, 1918, the enlisted men forming its personnel having been selected in
exactly the same manner as those attending the first camp and this procedure
was also followed with regard to the Marines of the American Expeditionary
Forces in France. Of the 570 men enrolled 432 were graduated from the second
officers' training camp, December 16, 1918, and 172 from the Army candidate
school in France, who, immediately upon graduating, were enrolled as second
lieutenants (provisional) in class 4, Marine Corps Reserve, and subsequently
appointed temporary second lieutenants in the Marine Corps. An extension of
three weeks to this course in America was necessitated by the epidemic of
influenza.
There were 235 graduated in July, 1919, from the third officers' training
camp who were enrolled as second lieutenants (provisional) in class 4, Marine
Corps Reserve, and immediately assigned to inactive duty.
There were also 48 graduates of the Army candidate school in France, who
were enrolled as second lieutenants (provisional) in class 4, Marine Corps
Reserve, and who were discharged or placed on inactive duty upon their return
to the United States, with the exception of four who were transferred to the
temporary service.
Sixty-nine officers were graduated from the Marine Corps school of
machine-gun instruction at Utica N. Y.
Information regarding the training of Marine officers for aviation duties
will be found in Chapter XXI.
MARINE SECTIONS, STUDENT ARMY TRAINING CORPS.
In the act approved August 31, 1918, provision was made for a Student
Army Training Corps, and under date of September 12, 1918, the Secretary of
War directed the Provost Marshal General to allot 1,500 of the registrants
authorized for induction into the Student Army Training Corps to the Marine
sections under that organization. On September 23, 1918, with the approval of
the Navy Department, Marine Corps headquarters designated the following
institutions for the organization of Marine sections of the Student Army
Training Corps and allotted quotas to each ranging from 100 to 190:
Leland Stanford Junior University 110
Georgia School of Technology 100
Harvard University 120
University of Minnesota 110
Cornell University 170
University of Washington 160
University of Texas 100
Yale University 100
University of Kansas 140
University of Wisconsin 190
Virginia Military Institute 100
University of North Carolina 100
A Marine officer was ordered to each of the designated institutions and
charged with the duties of administration, instruction, and discipline of the
Marine section, with the assistance of a noncommissioned officer of the Marine
Corps.
23
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS IN THE WORLD WAR.
It was intended to transfer, from time to time, well-qualified students
who were inducted into Marine sections of the Student Army Training Corps to
aviation duty, or to one of the two recruit camps, and in both cases men thus
recommended, who proved themselves qualified to become officers, would be
ultimately commissioned in either the Marine Corps Reserve Flying Corps or for
general service in the Marine Corps. In either case after finishing their
course in the Student Army Training Corps they would have been sent to a
recruit camp for the regular course of training, because this would make it
possible to imbue them with the necessary esprit de corps and indoctrinate
them with the Marine Corps methods of procedure and training, both essential
to the making of a Marine officer of the highest type. Owing to the ending of
active hostilities there were no graduates from the Marine sections of the
Student Army Training Corps at the different universities and colleges as they
were ordered abandoned shortly after the armistice became operative
24
Chapter VI.
TRAINING OF ENLISTED MEN IN THE UNITED STATES AND
EUROPE.
IN UNITED STATES.
The Marine Corps system of training for the enlisted personnel during the
war was thorough and excellent in every respect, and resulted in the turning
out of men who proved themselves well fitted for the arduous duties of
Marines.
For a short time after the outbreak of the war temporary recruit depots
were opened at the navy yards at Philadelphia, Pa., and Norfolk, Va., with a
capacity of 2,500 at the former and 500 at the latter. These were used until
the regular recruit depots at Parris Island, S. C., and Mare Island, Calif.,
could accommodate the recruits. These two recruit depots were greatly enlarged
both in size and scope, to take care of the temporary increase in strength
authorized for the war, and were soon able to meet all demands made upon them.
At the beginning of the war the course of recruit instruction at the
recruit depot, Parris Island, was of 8 weeks duration, and with but very few
exceptions every recruit passing through this depot received 8 weeks
instruction. At the Mare Island recruit depot, the recruits received 12 weeks
training from April 6 to 28, 1917, 9 weeks from April 29, 1917, to June 21,
1918, and 8 weeks from June 22 to November 11, 1918.
The following table gives a list of the special schools at the Parris
Island recruit depot and the number of graduates from each during the period
between the outbreak of war and the date the armistice became operative:
Noncommissioned Officers School................................... 2,144
Field Musics School............................................... 493
Radio School...................................................... 143
Signal School..................................................... 232
Band School....................................................... 247
Clerical School................................................... 236
Pay School........................................................ 78
Cooks, and Bakers, School......................................... 150
------
Total 3, 723
The following table illustrates what was accomplished by the two recruit
depots:
In training- Maximum
---------------- Maximum Number of Total
Depot strength recruits recruits Maximum
Apr. 6, Nov. 11, of post. at one handled. capacity.
1917 1918. time.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Parris Island 835 4,104 16,601 13,286 46,202 13,060
Mare island 358 1,143 2,799 2,470 11,901 3,009
-------------------------------------------------------------
Total 1,193 5,247 19,400 15,756 58,103 16,060
25
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS IN THE WORLD WAR.
After leaving the recruit depots at Parris Island and Mare Island,
advanced training was given the men at Quantico Va. This training was most
intensive and as a result all the organizations which were trained there
attained a high state of efficiency. It was made to approximate as nearly as
practicable the real service which the men would have in the American
Expeditionary Forces in France. Officers who were engaged in this training
showed great ingenuity and efficiency in their attempts to make the training
approach as nearly as possible what the men would be subjected to in actual
service. That they succeeded was shown by the work done by the Marines in
France and other places.
The first troops arrived at the Marine barracks, Quantico, Va., on May
18, 1917. The maximum enlisted strength was 9,849 on September 1 2,1918. The
maximum number of officers present at one time was 484, on August 16, 1918.
The strength on November 11, 1918, was 329 officers and 8,798 enlisted men.
From May, 1917, to November 11, 1918, approximately 1,000 officers and 40,000
enlisted men passed through Quantico, Va.
In addition to giving the enlisted men general training at Quantico in
preparation for overseas and other duty, the Overseas Depot was established on
May 19, 1918, for the double purpose of organizing and training units of the
Marine Corps for service with the American Expeditionary Forces.
Prior to the organization of this depot the Fifth and Sixth Regiments,
the Sixth Machine Gun Battalion, the Base Battalion of the Fifth Regiment, and
two replacement battalions had left the United States and had become part of
the American Expeditionary Force.
The Overseas Depot consisted of an administrative staff and the various
sections as follows: (a) The specialists' schools for the technical training
of the infantry and machine gun, and the coordination of these specialists'
arms; (b) the tactical department for the instruction and training of overseas
units in new tactical principles; (c) the enlisted staff school for the
training of first sergeants, mess sergeants, cooks, company clerks, armorers,
etc: Two French and four Canadian officers, who had abundant experience in
the fighting in Europe, were assigned as advisors of the commanding officer.
The basic independent unit of organization was the platoon, and the
platoon therefore became the principal training unit. In the organization of
this unit the scheme followed was to assure to each a certain nucleus of
enlisted instructors trained in the various specialties, in addition to the
platoon commanders, who were qualified to carry on the instruction along
approved lines within the unit. This nucleus was taken from the graduates of
the specialists' schools of the depot. When four such platoons had been formed
they were assembled into a company. The company headquarters, trained in the
enlisted staff school, was added to the four platoons and the company
organization was turned over to the company commander complete in all details.
Battalions were likewise formed by the consolidation of companies. In every
instance the platoon, company, and the battalion, carried out a regular
schedule of drills and institutions under the supervision of the depot, but
all administrative details were left in the hands of the company and the
battalion commanders. These training schedules were made up in the tactical
department, approved by the commanding officer, and were
26
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS IN THE WORLD WAR.
based on the most approved methods in effect at the time. In the cases of the
formation of regimental organizations, of which there were two formed during
the existence of the Overseas Depot, the battalions upon being formed were
turned over to the regimental commander, and in this case direct supervision
by the depot ceased, but all facilities on hand, such as material, officers
acting in an advisory capacity, training areas, etc., directly attached to the
depot, were placed at the disposal of the regimental commanders who were at
all times in active liaison with the depot.
About 85 per cent of the troops forming the detachments arriving at the
Overseas Depot for service in France had undergone not less than 8 nor more
than 12 weeks' training at the regular recruit depots of the Marine Corps.
The preliminary training received at these recruit depots was such as to fit
the men for general service throughout the Marine Corps, and resulted in the
men being well disciplined, considering the short time they had been in the
service. This facilitated the more advanced and specialized training they
were to receive at the Overseas Depot. These detachments were composed
entirely of qualified riflemen, having undergone during the recruit period a
most thorough and comprehensive course in the use of the rifle. Upon the
arrival of these detachments they were organized as outlined above, and the
commissioned personnel was assigned to the units from the officers' school.
The schedule and drills and instructions were provided them and were carried
out under the supervision of specially selected officers of the tactical
department of the Overseas Depot, including the foreign officers. This
training continued until the units departed for France. Training in open
warfare was given precedence over that of trench warfare from the very
beginning in the proportion of about four to one.
The following units were organized by the Overseas Depot: Third, Fourth,
Fifth, Sixth, Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh Separate Battalions; Second and Third
Machine Gun Battalions; Fifth Brigade Machine Gun Battalion; Second and Third
Separate Machine Gun Battalions; Eleventh and Thirteenth Regiments; total,
approximately, 16,000 officers and enlisted men. The Seventh and Eighth
Separate Battalions were organized and sent to France from Marine Barracks,
Parris Island, S. C.
The following table shows the schools conducted by the Overseas Depot and
the number of graduates:
Noncom-
School. Officers. missioned Privates. Total.
officers.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Officers.............. 294 ..... ..... 294
Bayonet............... ..... 360 220 580
Bombing............... ..... 200 150 350
Gas................... ..... 180 ..... 180
Automatic Rifle....... ..... 150 650 809
Scout Snipers......... ..... 75 375 450
Machine Gun........... 120 145 295 560
Miners and Sappers.... ..... 70 80 150
Enlisted Staff........ ..... 105 300 405
-----------------------------------------------
Total 414 1,285 2,070 3,769
27
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS IN THE WORLD WAR.
In addition to the training described above, 69 officers and 2,084
enlisted men, a total of 2,153, graduated from the Marine Corps school of
machine-gun instruction at Utica, N. Y.
Never before in the history of the corps have better drilled and trained
or more generally efficient men been turned out, ready for duty, upon
completion of their training, and to this factor is largely due the splendid
record made by the Marines during the war.
The work of the officers training the Marines was not spectacular, and
they wear no war chevrons, nor decorations for bravery, perhaps, but they
were, nevertheless, a vital factor in whatever success the Marine Corps met
with in the great struggle.
Information with reference to the training of enlisted men for aviation
will be found in Chapter XXI.
TRAINING IN FRANCE.
On June 27, 1917, the First Battalion of the Fifth Regiment actually
landed in France and on July 3, 1917, the entire Fifth Regiment was under
canvas on French soil. From that date every effort was made to train the men
and officers. Elements of the Fifth Regiment trained as a part of the First
Division of Regulars from July 15, 1917, to September, 1917, in the
Gondrecourt training area. From September, 1917, on, the training of the
available units of the Fourth Brigade as a unit of the Second Division of
Regulars was conducted in the Bourmont training area.
Until February, 1918, the training of the Marines in France was
handicapped by the fact that units of the Brigade were engaged in duties along
the Line of Communications (Services of Supply), one company and a battalion
commander being absent in England until March, 1918. It was not until the
middle of February, 1918, that the Fourth Brigade of Marines (less the company
in England) was conducting its training as a brigade with any degree of
satisfaction. Owing to the well-trained condition of the individual Marine
this condition did not vitally affect his professional ability as was so
distinctly shown by his later accomplishments.
The Fourth Brigade continued its training in the Bourmont training area
until the middle of March, 1918, when it entered the front line trenches in
the Verdun sector.
The Marine replacements received little or no training in a training area
in France as most of them were hurried into the fighting immediately upon
arrival overseas.
To summarize, the average Marine who arrived in France received at least
six weeks' training in the United States in a recruit depot and a very short
period at Quantico. This is a contrast to the six months' training received
by the average enlisted man of the Army After arrival in France the Marines,
except those of the original Fourth Brigade, received practically no training
in a training area since they joined the brigade almost immediately. The
Marines comprising the Fifth Brigade of Marines received no training in a
regular training area in France.
28
Chapter VII.
ORGANIZATIONS AND REPLACEMENTS SENT TO EUROPE-
ORGANIZATION OF THE FOURTH AND FIFTH BRIGADES.
THE FOURTH BRIGADE OF MARINES.
The Fourth Brigade of United States Marines was composed of the Fifth and
Sixth Regiments of Marines, and the Sixth Machine Gun Battalion of Marines.
The companies forming the battalions were as follows:
FIFTH REGIMENT.
First Battalion. Second Battalion. Third Battalion.
17th (A) Company. 18th (E) Company. 16th (I) Company.
49th (B) Company. 43d (F) Company. 20th (K) Company.
66th (C) Company. 51st (G) Company. 45th (L) Company.
67th (D) Company. 55th (H) Company. 47th (M) Company.
8th Machine Gun Company.
Supply Company.
Headquarters Company.
SIXTH REGIMENT.
First Battalion. Second Battalion. Third Battalion.
74th (A) Company. 78th (E) Company. 82nd (J) Company.
75th (B) Company. 79th (F) Company. 83rd (K) Company.
76th (C) Company. 80th (G) Company. 84th (L) Company.
95th (D) Company. 96th (H) Company. 97th (M) Company.
73d Machine Gun Company.
Supply Company.
Headquarters Company.
SIXTH MACHINE GUN BATTALION.
15th (A) Company. 77th (C) Company.
23d (B) Company. 81st (D) Company.
From June 27, 1917, to the middle of September, 1917, the Fifth Regiment
was a unit of the First Division of Regulars. Although the Fifth Regiment was
the only organization of Marines in France at the time, the Fourth Brigade of
Marines was formed on October 23, 1917, when Col. Charles A. Doyen cabled
acceptance of his appointment as Brigadier General. From October 26, 1917, to
August 8, 1919, the Fourth Brigade was a part of the Second Division of
Regulars, except from October 20-23, 1918, when the Brigade was provisionally
at the disposal of the Ninth French Army Corps, in the vicinity of
Leffincourt. On August 8, 1919, the brigade was transferred back to the naval
service.
On May 29, 1917, in accordance with directions issued by the President,
the Secretary of the Navy directed the Major General
29
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS IN THE WORLD WAR.
Commandant "to organize a force of Marines to be known as the Fifth Regiment
of Marines for service with the Army as a part of the first expedition to
proceed to France in the near future." The Fifth Regiment was accordingly
organized at the navy yard, Philadelphia, Pa., on June 7, 1917, with Col.
Charles A. Doyen in command, and Maj. Harry R. Lay, as adjutant.
Gen. Pershing and his staff, accompanied by two Marine officers, proceded
the first expedition to France, sailing late in May, 1917, from the United
States.
The final report of the American commander in chief includes the
following:
The offer by the Navy Department of one regiment of Marines
to be reorganized as Infantry was accepted by the Secretary
of War, and it became temporarily a part of the First Division.
On June 14, 1917, the first expedition of American troops left the United
States for France and the Fifth Regiment of Marines embarked on the naval
transports HENDERSON and HANCOCK, and the auxiliary cruiser DE KALB (former
PRINTZ EITEL FRIEDRICH), formed approximately one-fifth of it. The fourth
group, including the HANCOCK, did not sail until June 17, 1917.
The orders received by the convoy commander on the day prior to sailing
read in part: "A military expedition is to be embarked on the above-named
transports, augmented by a regiment of Marines embarked in naval vessels, for
transportation to a destination already communicated."
The DE KALB was in group 1, the HENDERSON in group 2, and the HANCOCK in
group 4; all were part of the escort an not the convoy.
Rear-Admiral Albert Gleaves, the convoy commander, flying his flag on the
SEATTLE, personally commanded the first group, while Maj. Gen. W. L. Sibert in
the TENEDARES, was the senior Army officer embarked.
The passage of the four groups across the Atlantic was successfully
accomplished without a single disaster, or the loss of a life due to enemy
causes.
At 10.15 p. m., June 22, 1917, the first group, including the DE KALB was
attacked by enemy submarines. The wake of a submarine was sighted crossing 50
yards ahead of the Seattle's bow from starboard to port. A few seconds later
the DE KALB and HAVANA sighted torpedoes and opened fire. Two torpedoes passed
close to the HAVANA, and one passed ahead and one astern of the DE KALB. The
second group encountered two submarines, the first at 11.50 a. m., June 26,
1918, about 100 miles off the French coast and the second two hours later.
The DE KALB arrived at St. Nazaire, France, on June 26, 1917, the
HENDERSON on June 27, 1917, and the HANCOCK on July 2, 1917. On June 27,
1917, the commanding officer of the Fifth Regiment reported to the commanding
general, First Division, American Expeditionary Forces, and from that date the
Fifth Regiment was considered as being detached for service with the Army by
direction of the President.
Five hundred negro stevedores had been brought from the United States by
the Army to discharge ships, but they were found inadequate for the large
number of ships concerned. The Marines relieved the situation somewhat by
turning to and discharging their own vessels.
30
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS IN THE WORLD WAR.
On June 27, 1917, the First Battalion, less the Fifteenth Company which
joined the battalion the following day, disembarked from the DE KALB and
occupied quarters ashore. On this date Lieut. Col. Logan Feland joined the
Fifth Regiment. On June 28, 1917, the Second and Third Battalions went ashore
from the HENDERSON for a practice march, and the following day the First
Battalion erected tents for the regiment on a camp site a short distance
outside of St. Nazaire. By 8 p. m., July 3, 1917, the entire Fifth Regiment
was ashore under canvas.
On July 15, 1917, the Fifth Regiment, less the Third Battalion, which
remained behind to perform guard duty and other detached units and officers,
proceeded to the Gondrecourt training area, and was stationed in Menaucourt
and Naix.
On August 1, 1917, Gen. Pershing inspected the battalions at the two
towns where they were billetted.
On August 15, 1917, the First Division, including the Fifth Regiment of
Marines, was reviewed by its commanding general on a plateau 12 miles distant
from the training area.
On August 19, 1917, Gen. Pershing and Gen. Petain, commander-in-chief of
all the French forces, inspected the Marines, as a unit of the First Division.
Gen. Petain congratulated the colonel of the regiment on the splendid
appearance of its officers and men, as well as the cleanliness of the towns.
Every opportunity was taken advantage of to perfect the regiment for
combat duty, but this work was handicapped by the fact that many units of the
regiment were scattered along the Line of Communications performing duty of a
necessary but of a nontraining nature. One company and one battalion
commander left the regiment until March 11, 1918. Many other officers and men
were placed on detached duty.
On September 24, 25, 1917, that part of the Fifth Regiment available for
training arrived in the Bourmont training areas and was stationed at Damblain
and Breuvannes.
The following letter dated November 10, 1917, addressed by Gen. Pershing
to the Major General Commandant is both complimentary and explanatory as to
why the Marines were used along the Line of Communications.
Your Marines having been under my command for nearly six months, I
feel that I can give you a discriminating report as to their excellent
standing with their brothers of the Army and their general good conduct.
I take this opportunity, also, of giving you the reasons for distributing
them along our Line of Communications which, besides being a compliment
to their high state of discipline and excellent soldierly appearance,
was the natural thing to do as the Marine Regiment was an additional
one in the Division and not provided for in the way of transportation
and fighting equipment in case the Division should be pushed to the
front. When, therefore, service of the rear troops and military and
provost guards were needed at our base ports and in Paris it was the
Marine Regiment that had to be scattered, in an endeavor to keep the
rest of the organized division intact.
I have been obliged to detach a number of your officers as
assistant provost marshals in France and in England, all of which I
take it you will agree with me was highly complimentary to both
officers and men, and was so intended. I can assure you that as soon
as our service of the rear troops arrive, including a large number of
officers and men for the specific duties now being performed by your
men, the Marines will be brought back once more under your brigade
commander and assigned to the duties which they so much desire in the
Second Regular Division under General Bundy.
It is a great pleasure to report on your fine representatives
here in France.
31
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS IN THE WORLD WAR.
Col. Charles A. Doyen was in command of the Fifth Regiment from the date
of its organization on June 7, 1917, to October 29, 1917; and Lieut. Col.
Hiram I. Bearss from October 30, 1917, to December 31, 1917. Col. Wendell C.
Neville having arrived on on board the DE KALB at St. Nazaire, France, on
December 28, 1917, reported to the Fourth Brigade for duty on January 1, 1918
and on that date assumed command of the Fifth Regiment, continuing in command
until July, 1918.
The Sixth Machine Gun Battalion of Marines was organized at the Marine
barracks, Quantico, Va., by order of the Major General Commandant on August
17, 1917. The battalion was designated the First Machine Gun Battalion, but
on January 20, 1918, after arrival in France, was renamed the Sixth Machine
Gun Battalion. On December 14, 1917, the battalion sailed from New York on
the DE KALB, arriving at St. Nazaire, France, December 28, 1917. On January
3, 1918, the battalion arrived at Damblain in the Bourmont training area and
began training with headquarters at Germain-villiers.
Maj. Edward B. Cole was in command of the Sixth Machine Gun Battalion of
Marines from the date of its organization until June 10, 1918, when he
received a mortal wound.
On August 4, 1917, in accordance with directions issued by the President,
the Secretary of the Navy directed the Major General Commandant "to organize a
force of Marines, to be known as the Sixth Regiment of Marines, for service
with the Army in France," and the regiment was organized as directed.
On September 23, 1917, the First Battalion of the Sixth Regiment sailed
on the HENDERSON from New York and landed at St. Nazaire, France, on October
5, 1917. On October 17, 1917, the Seventy-third Machine Gun Company,
Headquarters, and Supply Companies, and Col. Albertus W. Catlin, commanding
officer of the Sixth Regiment, with his Staff, sailed from Philadelphia, Pa.,
on the DE KALB, and from New York on October 18, 1917, arriving at St.
Nazaire, France, on November 1, 1917. On October 31 1917, the Third Battalion
of the Sixth Regiment sailed from New York on board the VON STEUBEN and
anchored at Brest, France, on November 1 2,1917. On January 24, 1918, the
Second Battalion of the Sixth Regiment sailed on the HENDERSON from New York
and arrived at St. Nazaire, France, February 6, 1918, and with the arrival of
this last battalion, the entire Sixth Regiment of Marines was in France.
On October 23, 1917, the Fourth Brigade of Marines was organized, with
Brig. Gen. Charles A. Doyen in command. Brig. Gen. Doyen continued in command
until May 7, 1918, when he published in General Orders No. 5, that he had
relinquished command. Maj. Harry R. Lay was the first brigade adjutant, and
performed the duties of that office from October 24, 1917, to August 9, 1918,
except during the period February 7 to May 9, 1918, when Maj. Holland M. Smith
was brigade adjutant.
On October 26, 1917, Brig. Gen. Charles A. Doyen, United States Marine
Corps, assumed command of the Second Division as its first commanding general,
and announced his staff in General Orders No. 1, with station at Bourmont,
Haute-Marne, serving as such until relieved by Maj. Gen. Omar Bundy, United
States Army, who announced
32
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS IN THE WORLD WAR.
that he assumed command in General Orders No. 4, November 8, 1917.
Like the Fifth Regiment, the Sixth Regiment spent several months
performing the necessary but undesired duties along the Line of
Communications. On January 12, 1918, Col. Albertus W. Catlin established
headquarters for the Sixth Regiment at Blevaincourt in the Bourmont training
area. The Third Battalion arrived in this area on January 12, 1918, the
headquarters units the same date, the First Battalion during January, 1918,
and the Second Battalion on February 10, 1918.
Therefore, on February 10, 1918, the Fourth Brigade of Marines was in the
Bourmont training area intact, with the exception of one company on duty in
England, training industriously as an infantry brigade of the Second Division.
While the brigade had been organized on October 23, 1917, and had actually
functioned as a brigade with elements of all three of its units present from
January 12, 1918, it was not until February 10, 1918, that the Brigade
organization was perfected.
FIFTH BRIGADE OF MARINES.
On September 5, 1918, the Major General Commandant directed the post
commander, Marine barracks, Quantico, Va., to organize brigade headquarters of
the Fifth Brigade, United States Marine Corps.
This brigade was accordingly organized and was composed of the Eleventh
and Thirteenth Regiments and the Fifth Brigade Machine Gun Battalion. The
companies of the Fifth Brigade were designated by letters and not by numbers.
Brig. Gen. Eli K. Cole was designated as the brigade commander and on
September 15, 1918, he and the Brigade Staff sailed from Hoboken, N. J., on
board the VON STEUBEN, arriving at Brest, France, on September 24, 1918.
The Thirteenth Regiment left the Overseas Depot at Quantico, Va., on
Friday, September 13, 1918, and on September 15, 1918, sailed from Hoboken, N.
J., on board the HENDERSON and VON STEUBEN, arriving at Brest, France, on
September 25, 1918.
On September 29, 1918, Eleventh Regiment Headquarters and the First
Battalion sailed on the DE KALB from Philadelphia, Pa., and arrived at Brest,
France, on October 13, 1918. On October 16, 1918, the Second and Third
Battalions of the Eleventh Regiment sailed from Brooklyn, N. Y., on board the
AGAMEMNON and VON STEUBEN and arrived at Brest, France on October 25, 1918.
On October 28, 1918, the Fifth Brigade Machine Gun Battalion sailed from
South Brooklyn, N. Y., on board the HENDERSON and arrived at Brest, France, on
November 9, 1918. With the arrival of this unit the entire Fifth Brigade was
in France.
33
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS IN THE WORLD WAR.
AVIATION UNITS.
On January 21, 1918, the First Marine Aeronautic Company arrived at naval
base No. 13, Ponta Delgada, Azores.
On July 30, 1918, the First Marine Aviation Force (less Squadron D)
disembarked at Brest, France, and formed the Day Wing of the Northern Bombing
Group. Squadron D joined the Day Wing in October, 1918.
MARINE DETACHMENTS FOR NAVAL BASES.
On January 21, 1918, and on July 20, 1918, detachments for the naval base
No. 13, arrived at Ponta Delgada, Azores.
On September 30, 1918, the detachment for naval base No. 29, arrived at
Cardiff, Wales.
On December 29, 1918, the detachment for the naval forces in France,
staff office, Paris, France, landed at St. Nazaire, France.
REPLACEMENTS FOR AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES.
The following table will show the names of the replacement organizations
sent to the American Expeditionary Forces, dates of sailing and arrival, and
names of vessels:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date Date
Name of organization. embarked disembarked Name of vessel.
in U. S. in France.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fifth Regiment Base....... July 31, 1917 Aug. 22, 1917 Henderson.
Detachment
Twelfth and Twenty-sixth.. Dec. 8, 1917 Dec. 31, 1917 De Kalb.
(disbanded in France).
First Replacement Battalion Feb. 5, 1918 Feb. 25, 1918 Von Steuben.
Second Replacement Battalion Mar. 14, 1918 Mar. 27, 1918 Henderson.
Third Replacement Battalion Apr. 22, 1918 May --, 1918 Do.
Casual Company............. .....do...... .....do...... Do.
First Machine Gun Replacement May 26, 1918 June 8, 1918 Do.
Battalion
First Casual Replacement .....do...... .....do...... Do.
Battalion
Second Casual Replacement June 30, 1918 July 9, 1918 Do.
Battalion
Third Separate Battalion Aug. 13, 1918 Aug. 26, 1918 Do.
Fourth Separate Battalion .....do...... .....do...... Do.
Fifth Separate Battalion Aug. 17, 1918 Aug. 27, 1918 Von Steuben.
Sixth Separate Battalion .....do...... .....do...... Do.
First Separate Machine Gun Aug. 21, 1918 Sept. 2,1918 De Kalb.
Battalion
Seventh Separate Battalion Oct. 20, 1918 Nov. 3, 1918 Pocohontas.
Eighth Separate Battalion .....do...... .....do...... Do.
Ninth Separate Battalion Oct. 27, 1918 Nov. 9, 1918 Henderson.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In addition to the above the Twelfth Replacement Battalion sailed from
the United States on board the HANCOCK in June, 1919, arrived in France in
June, 1919, and joined the American Expeditionary Forces.
NUMBER OF MARINES SAILING FROM THE UNITED STATES TO EUROPE FOR DUTY WITH THE
AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES AND FOR SHORE DUTY WITH THE NAVAL SERVICE.
There were 834 officers, not including observers, and 30,481 enlisted
men, or a total of 31,315 Marines, sent overseas for shore duty with
the American Expeditionary Forces and naval service. The following tables
give details:
34
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS IN THE WORLD WAR.
For duty with American Expeditionary Forces.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Month of Departure from United States. Officers. Enlisted Total.
men.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
May, 1917................................ <1>2 ..... 2
June, 1917............................... 70 2,689 2,759
July, 1917............................... 29 1,054 1,083
September, 1917.......................... 27 1,045 1,072
October, 1917............................ 45 1,536 1,581
December, 1917........................... 23 637 660
January, 1918............................ 31 1,031 1,062
February, 1918........................... 24 1,041 1,065
March, 1918.............................. 23 1,034 1,057
April, 1918.............................. 22 1,284 1,306
May, 1918................................ 24 1,565 1,589
June, 1918............................... 6 751 757
August, 1918............................. 32 4,362 4,394
September, 1918.......................... 172 5,275 5,447
October, 1918............................ 132 5,809 5,941
-----------------------------
Total 662 29,113 29,775
<1> Accompanied Gen. Pershing.
Sixty officers of the Medical Corps, twelve officers of the Dental Corps,
five hundred enlisted men of the Medical Corps, and eleven Chaplains, of the
Navy, not included in the above figures, were sent to France and served with
the Marines in the American Expeditionary Forces.
In addition to the above the Twelfth Replacement Battalion, consisting of
9 officers and 500 enlisted men, joined the American Expeditionary Forces in
June, 1919.
For duty with naval service ashore.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Month of departure from United States. Officers. Enlisted Total.
men.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
December, 1917 2 59 61
January, 1918 13 172 185
June, 1918 2 75 77
July, 1918 107 654 761
August, 1918 4 120 124
September, 1918 4 288 332
-----------------------------
Total 172 1,368 1,560
35
Chapter VIII.
OPERATIONS IN GENERAL.
While the battle operations of the Fourth Brigade as an infantry brigade
of the Second Division of Regulars overshadowed all others taken part in by
Marine Corps personnel, those operations were by no means the only ones
participated in by officers and men of the Marine Corps.
The commanding general of the Second Division from early in August, 1918,
to the date of demobilization, and several officers on his staff were Marine
officers. Officers of the Marine Corps were at various times attached to the
First, Second, Third, Fourth Sixth Twenty-sixth, Thirty-second, Thirty-fifth,
Ninetieth, and Ninety-second Divisions, and in some cases engaged in
operations with them. Brig. Gen. John A. Lejeune assumed command of the
Sixty-fourth Infantry Brigade of the Thirty-second Division, then in the front
line on the Swiss border in the Suarce sector, on July 5, 1918. He was in
command of this brigade on July 22, 1918, when it was withdrawn from the
above-mentioned sector and continued in command until July 25, 1918, when he
left to command the Fourth Brigade of Marines. Between July 5, 1918, and July
22, 1918, Brig. Gen. Lejeune, in addition to the Sixty-fourth Brigade,
commanded three French infantry regiments. Col. Robert H. Dunlap was in
command of the Seventeenth Field Artillery Regiment of the Second Field
Artillery Brigade, Second Division, from October 30, 1918, to February, 1919.
Col. Hiram I. Bearss commanded the One hundred and second Regiment of the
Fifty-first Infantry Brigade, Twenty-sixth Division, in the St. Mihiel
offensive. Col. Frederic M. Wise commanded the Fifty-ninth Regiment of the
Eighth Infantry Brigade, Fourth Division, from September 5, 1918, to January
4, 1919, during which period he participated in the St. Mihiel and
Meuse-Argonne major operations. From January 1, 1919, to February 9, 1919,
Col. Wise commanded the Eighth Infantry Brigade of the Fourth Division.
A few Marine officers and enlisted men engaged in Army aviation
operations and suffered casualties. About 20 Marine officers were sent to
France as observers and as such participated in operations with American,
French, and British forces. Marine aviation personnel served in France as the
Day Wing of the Northern Bombing Group of the Navy. Marine flyers served with
Squadrons 213 (pursuit squadron), 217, and 218 (bombing squadrons), Royal
Flying Corps of England; and with pursuit, observation, and bombing squadrons
of the French Flying Corps. Quite a few casualties were suffered by the
Marine aviation personnel.
The First Marine Aeronautic Company, naval base No. 13, Ponta Delgada,
Azores, equipped for water flying only, performed patrol duty from January,
1918, until November 11, 1918.
36
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS IN THE WORLD WAR.
The Marine Aviation Section, naval air station, Miami, Fla., performed
arduous patrol duties in the Florida Straits in connection with the Navy from
July, 1918, until the date the armistice went into effect.
Marine detachments served on board all the American battleships attached
to the British Grand Fleet and also on the American battleships which based at
Castletown Berehaven, Bantry Ba, Ireland. Marines also served on board many of
the cruisers which escorted the vessels transporting Army troops to Europe.
They were also attached to many other naval vessels such as the BROOKLYN,
HELENA, and WILMINGTON, in China and Siberian waters, at one time landing at
Vladivostok in conjunction with other naval forces; on the GALVESTON on the
Murman Coast; and on the PITTSBURGH in South American waters. Marines were
also on the SAN DIEGO when that vessel was sunk, and the MINNESOTA when that
ship was damaged by German mines. Marines were in intimate contact with the
Germans in Guam and Philadelphia in conjunction with the Navy in the first
hours of the war.
One brigade of Marines was held in readiness in Texas for possible
trouble in Mexico which might endanger the Allies' oil supply. Another was
scattered throughout the island of Cuba. Large detachments of Marines were
stationed in the Azores and Virgin Islands in the nature of advanced base
forces, while an advanced base force at Philadelphia was available at all
times for naval needs.
Marine forces were also stationed in Guam, Philippine Islands, Peking,
Pearl Harbor, and Nicaragua and they assisted materially, under the limited
conditions, in the war.
Active operations were conducted in Haiti and Santo Doiningo against
bandits during the period of the war by Marine forces, the Haitian Gendarmerie
and the Guardia Nacional Dominicana, the two latter organizations being
composed of natives and administered and officered by the Marine and Navy
personnel. Casualties were suffered by Marines in the operations in Santo
Domingo, 4 Marines being killed, 13 wounded, and 1 officer wounded, between
April 6, 1917, and November 11, 1918.
37
Chapter IX.
UNITS COMPOSING, AND THE COMMANDING GENERALS OF, THE
SECOND DIVISION-VERDUN OPERATIONS.
THE SECOND DIVISION OF REGULARS.
The first unit which ultimately formed a part of the Second Division
arriving in France was the Fifth Regiment of Marines which landed in France
with the first expedition of American troops in June, 1917. One Marine
lieutenant colonel, who afterwards was the first chief of staff of the Second
Division, and another Marine lieutenant colonel, who later commanded the
Seventeenth Field Artillery of the Second Division, accompanied Gen. Pershing
and his staff when they sailed from the United States late in May, 1917.
The Second Division was composed of the following units:
Third Infantry Brigade:
Ninth Infantry.
Twenty-third Infantry.
Fifth Machine Gun Battalion.
Fourth Infantry Brigade:
Fifth Marines.
Sixth Marines.
Sixth Machine Gun Battalion of Marines.
Second Field Artillery Brigade:
Twelfth Field Artillery.
Fifteenth Field Artillery.
Seventeenth Field Artillery.
Second Trench Mortar Battery.
Other troops:
Second Engineers.
Fourth Machine Gun Battalion.
First Field Signal Battalion.
Second Headquarters Train and Military Police.
Second Ammunition Train.
Second Engineer Train.
Second Supply Train.
Second Sanitary Train.
On October 26, 1917, Brig. Gen. Charles A. Doyen, United States Marine
Corps, assumed command of the Second Division as its first commanding general
and announced his staff in General Orders, No. 1, with station at Bourmont,
Haute-Marne, France. Lieut. Col. Logan Feland, United States Marine Corps,
was the first chief of staff. On November 8, 1917, Maj. Gen. Omar Bundy,
United States Army, assumed command, published such fact in General Orders,
No. 4,. November 8, 1917, and was in command of it during the operations in
the Verdun and Chateau-Thierry sectors. Maj. Gen. James G. Harbord, United
States Army, commanded the division in the Aisne-Marne (Soissons) offensive in
July, 1918. Maj. Gen. John A. Lejeune assumed command of the division on July
28, 1918, and retained command until its demobilization in August, 1919. Many
Marine officers occupied positions of importance and respon-
38
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS IN THE WORLD WAR.
sibility on the staff of the commanding general, Second Division. A Marine
officer commanded the Seventeenth Field Artillery during the Meuse-Argonne
Offensive, and other Marine officers commanded battalions of the Ninth
Infantry and Fifteenth Field Artillery for a time.
Neither the Marine Brigade nor any other element of the Second Division
was the first American unit to enter the front line's since the First Division
enjoyed that honor in October, 1917, when it entered the line in the quiet
Toul sector.
The Fourth Brigade remained in the Bourmont training area, with
headquarters at Damblain, until March 14, 1918, when it commenced movement
into subsectors of the Verdun front, the first units of the brigade entering
the front line during the night of March 16-17, 1918, with headquarters at
Toulon. On April 1, 1918, brigade headquarters was changed to Moscou. The
brigade remained on the Verdun front until May 14, 1918, when it proceeded to
an area around Vitry-le-Francois for open warfare training, with headquarters
at Venault-les-Dames. In the meantime, on May 6, 1918, Brig. Gen. James G.
Harbord assumed command of the brigade relieving Big. Gen. Doyen who has been
ordered to the United States on account of his physical condition. Brig. Gen.
Doven relinquished command of the brigade most unwillingly, and the reasons
for his relief are best set forth in the words of the citation of a Navy
distinguished service medal posthumously awarded to him, reading as follows.
By reason of his abilities and personal efforts, he brought
this brigade to the very high state of efficiency which enabled
it to successfully resist the German army in the Chateau-Thierry
sector and Belleau Woods. The strong efforts on his part for
nearly a year undermined his health and necessitated his being
invalided to the United States before having the opportunity to
command the brigade in action, but his work was shown by the
excellent service rendered by the brigade, not only at Belleau
Woods, but during the entire campaign when they fought many battles
Gen. Pershing in a letter to Brig. Gen. Doyen stated in part:
Your service has been satisfactory and your command is
considered as one of the best in France. I have nothing but
praise for the service which you have rendered in this command.
On May 14, 1918, the brigade left the area around Vitry-le-Francois as it
was unsuitable and proceeded to an area around Gisors-Chaumont-en-Vixen, with
headquarters at Bou-des-Bois. The brigade was in this area when sudden orders
came to move to the Chateau-Thierry sector.
On May 27, 1918, Brig. Gen. John A. Lejeune and Maj. Earl H. Ellis sailed
from New York on board the HENDERSON and arrived at Brest, France, on June 8,
1918.
39
Chapter X.
AISNE DEFENSIVE, HILL 14 2,BOURESCHES, AND BOIS DE LA BRI-
GADE DE MARINE, IN THE CHATEAU-THIERRY SECTOR.
In order to appreciate understandingly the importance of the early
operations participated in by the Marine Brigade as a unit of the Second
Division it is necessary to remember that in 1918, prior to the middle of
July, the offensive was in the hands of the Imperial German Staff, and that
between March 21, 1918, and July 15, 1918, the Germans directed no less than
five major offensives against the Allied lines in efforts to bring the war to
a successful conclusion for the Central Powers. American troops assisted in
breaking up every one of these drives, but the Second Division, including the
Marines, opposed only one, that in the Chateau-Thierry sector. It should also
be noted that on March 28, 1918, the American commander in chief placed all of
the American forces at the disposal of Marshal Foch, who had been agreed upon
as commander in chief of the Allied Armies, to be used as he might decide.
The first offensive (Somme) of the Germans was stopped within a few miles
of Amiens, and the second (Lys) overran Armentieres. In this second German
offensive, which lasted from April 9 to 27, 1918, and which has been
designated by the Americans as a major operation, there were approximate 500
American troops engage.
Then late in May, 1918, with startling success, which brought a
corresponding depression to the morale of the Allies, the Germans launched
their third offensive, west of Rheims, crossed the Chemin-des-Dames, captured
Soissons, and the last day of May found them marching in the direction of
Paris down the Marne Valley. Again the American commander in chief placed
every available man at the disposal of Marshal Foch. It was at this critical
time, when the Allies were facing a grave crisis, that the Second Division,
including the Marine Brigade, together with elements of the Third and
Twenty-eighth Divisions, were thrown into the line and, in blocking the German
advance in the Chateau-Thierry sector, rendered great assistance in stopping
the most dangerous of the German drives.
The first report of the American commander in chief states that "the
Third Division, which had just come from its preliminary training area, was
hurried to the Marne. Its motorized machine-gun battalion preceded the other
units and successfully held the bridge-head at the Marne opposite
Chateau-Thierry. The Second Division, in reserve near Montdidier, was sent by
motor trucks and other available transport to check the progress of the enemy
toward Paris."
The final report of the American commander in chief with reference to
this third German offensive stated in part
On reaching the Marne that river was used as a defensive
flank and the German advance was directed toward Paris. During
the first days of June something akin to a panic seized the city
and it was estimated that 1,000,000 people left during the spring
of 1918. * * *
40
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS IN THE WORLD WAR.
The Second Division, then in reserve northwest of Paris and
preparing to relieve the First Division, was hastily diverted
to the vicinity of Meaux on May 31, and, early on the morning
of June 1, was deployed across the Chateau-Thierry Paris road
near Montreuil-aux-Lions in a gap in the French line, where it
stopped the German advance on Paris.
Without minimizing in any way the splendid actions of the Twenty-sixth
Division at Seicheprey and Xivray in April 1918, or the brilliant exploit of
the First Division at Cantigny on May 28, 1918, the fact remains that the
Second Division, including the Marine Brigade, was the first American division
to get a chance to play an important part on the western front, and how well
it repelled this dangerous thrust of the Germans along the Paris-Metz highway
is too well known to be dwelt upon at length in this brief history.
The fighting of the Second Division in the Chateau-Thierry sector was
divided into two parts, one a magnificently stubborn defensive lasting a week
and the other a vicious offensive. The defensive fighting of the Second
Division between May 31 and June 5, 1918, was part of the major operation
called by the Americans the Aisne defensive. Without discussing at this time
the tactical or strategical significance of the work of the second Division in
the Aisne defensive, suffice to say that its psychological effect upon the
morale of the Allies was tremendous and has been recognized in practically
every writing worthy of consideration up to the present date.
The close of the Aisne defensive on June 5, 1918, found the line of the
Second Division well established at that point of the Marne salient nearest
Paris, but not including Hill 14 2,Bois de Belleau, Bouresches, or Vaux, and
the Germans were in possession of Chateau-Thierry on the right of the Second
Division, and continued to hold that town until about July 17, 1918.
On June 6, 1918, the Second Division snatched the initiative from the
Germans and started an offensive on its front which did not end until July 1,
1918. The Marine Brigade captured Hill 142 and Bouresches on June 6, 1918,
and in the words of Gen. Pershing, "sturdily held its ground against the
enemy's best guard divisions," and completely cleared Bois de Belleau of the
enemy on June 26, 1918, a major of Marines sending in his famous message:
"Woods now U. S. Marine Corps' entirely." The American commander in chief in
his first report calls this fighting "the battle of Belleau Wood" and states,
"our men proved their superiority, and gained a strong tactical position with
far greater loss to the enemy than to ourselves." In his final report he
states: "The enemy having been halted, the Second Division commenced a series
of vigorous attacks on June 4, which resulted in the capture of Belleau Woods
[on June 26] after very severe fighting. The village of Bouresches was taken
soon after [on June 6] and on July 1 Vaux was captured. In these operations
the Second Division met with most desperate resistance by Germany's best
troops." On July 1, 1918, the Third Brigade captured Vaux. The Artillery,
Engineers, and the other elements of the Second Division assisted materially
in these successes, while the Seventh regiment of the Third Division was in
Belleau Wood for a few day about the middle of June.
During these 31 days of constant fighting, the last 26 of which has been
defined by general headquarters of the American Expeditionary Forces as a
"local engagement," the Second Division suffered
41
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS IN THE WORLD WAR.
1,811 battle deaths (of which approximately 1,062 were Marines) and suffered
additional casualties amounting to 7,252 (of which approximately 3,615 were
Marines). It was that fighting and those 9,063 casualties that first made the
name Chateau-Thierry famous.
The achievements of the Fourth Brigade of Marines in the Chateau-Thierry
sector was twice recognized by the French. The first, which changed the name
of the Bois de Belleau, was a beautiful tribute spontaneously made to the
successes and to the losses of the Fourth Brigade of Marines, and shows the
deep effect that the retaking of Belleau Wood and other near-by positions from
the Germans had on the feelings of the French and the morale of the Allies.
Official maps were immediately modified to conform with the provisions of the
order, the plan directeur used in later operations bearing the name "Bois de
la Brigade de Marine." The French also used this new name in their orders, as
illustrated by an ordre general dated August 9, 1918, signed by the commanding
general of the Sixth French Army, reading in part as follows:
Avant la grande offensive du 18 Juillet, les troupes americaines
faisant partie de la VIe Armee francaise se sont distinguees en
enlevant a l'ennemi le Bois de la Brigade De Marine et le village
de Vaux, en arretant son offensive sur la Marine et a Fossoy.
The order changing the name of Bois de Belleau reads as follows:
VI ARMEE, ETAT-MAJOR,
au Q. G. A., le 30 Juin, 1918.
6930/2.]
ORDRE.
En raison de Ia brillante conduite de la 4eme Brigade de la 2eme
D. U. S. qui a enleve de haute lutte Bouresches et le point d'appui
important du Bois de Belleau, defendu avec acharnement par un
adversaire nombreux, le general commandant la VI Armee decide que
dorenavant, dans toutes les pieces officielles, le Bois de Belleau
portera le nom de "Bois de la Brigade de Marine."
Le General de Division Degoutte,
Commandant la VI Armee.
(Signed) DEGOUTTE
A. M. le GENERAL CDT. la 4ME BRIGADE de MARINE.
s/c. de M. le General Cdt. La 2me D. U.S.
The second recognition by the French of the Marines' work in the
Chateau-Thierry sector were citations of the Fourth Brigade, Fifth and Sixth
Regiments, and the Sixth Machine Gun Battalion of Marines, in French army
orders, that of the brigade, the others being identical, reading as follows:
Apres approbation du general commandant en chef les forces
expeditionnaires americaines en France, le general commandant
en chef les armees francaises du nord et du nord-est, cite a
l'Ordre de l'Armee:
"4 Brigade American sous les ordres du General de Brigade James
G. Harbord, comprenant: Le 5e Regiment de Marine, sous les ordres
du Colonel Wendell C. Neville, le 6e regiment de Marine, sous les
ordres du Colonel Albertus W. Catlin, le 6e Bataillion de
mitrailleuses, sous les ordres du Commandant Edward B. Cole:
"A ete jetee en pleine bataille, sur un front violemment attaque
par l'ennemi. S'est affirmee aussitot comme une unite de tout premier
order. Des son entree en ligne, a brise, en liaison avec les troupes
francaise, une violente attaque ennemie sur un point important de
la position et entrepris ensuite a son compte une serie d'operations
offensives. Au cours de ces operations, grace au courage brillant,
a la vigueur, a l'allant, a la tenacite de ses hommes que ne se sont
laisses rebuter ni par les fatigues, ni par les pertes; grace a
l'activite et a l'energie de ses officiers; grace enfin a l'action
personnelle de son chef, le General J. Harbord, la 4e brigade a vu
ses efforts couronnes de succes. En intime liaison l'un avec
l'autre, ses deux regiments et son bataillon de mitrailleuses ont
realize, apres douze jours de lutte incessante (du 2 au
42
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS IN THE WORLD WAR.
13 Juin 1918) dans un terrain try difficile, une progression variant
entre 1,500 a 2,000 metres, sur un front de 4 kilometres, capturant
un nombreux material, faisant plus de 500 prisonniers, infligeant a
l'ennemi des pertes considerables et lui enlevant deux points d'appui
de premier importance-le village de Bouresches et le bois organize
de Belleau."
Au Grand Quartier General, le 22 octobre 1918.
Le General Commandant en Chef.
Signe: PETAIN
(Ordre No. 10.805 "D.")
In addition to the above-described instances, French civilian sentiment
expressed itself in the following letter from the mayor of Meaux and
Resolution from the assembled mayors of the Meaux District (Arrondissement).
This letter and the resolutions were published on July 10, 1918, in General
Orders No. 43, of the Second Division "as indicating the appreciation of the
efforts of the Second Division by the French inhabitants for our share in
stemming the recent German advance in this sector."
MEAUX, June 26, 1918.
GENERAL: On behalf of all the Mayors of the Meaux District
(Arrondissement), assembled yesterday in congress at the city hall,
I have the honor to send you herewith a copy of the resolution they
have taken in order to pay homage to the gallantry displayed by the
troops under your command and to the effectiveness of the help they
rendered us.
The civilian population of this part of the country will never
forget that the beginning of this month of June, when their homes were
threatened by the invader, the Second American Division victoriously
stepped forth and succeeded in saving them from impending danger.
I am personally happy to be able to convey to you this modest token
of their thankfulness and I am General,
Yours, respectfully,
(Signed) G. LUGOL,
Mayor of Meaux, Depute de Seine et Marne.
Voted in a Congress of the Mayors of Meaux District on the 25th of
June, 1918.
The mayors of the Meaux district, who were eye-witnesses to the
generous and efficacious deeds of the American Army in stopping the
enemy advance, send to this Army the heart-felt expression of their
admiration and gratefulness.
(Signed) G. LUGOL,
President of the Committee.
MEAUX, June 25, 1918.
During the first attack on Belleau Wood on June 6, 1918, Col. Albertus W.
Catlin was severely wounded and was relieved in command of the Sixth Regiment
by Lieut. Col. Harry Lee, who continued in command until the regiment was
demobilized in August, 1919.
When Maj. Edward B. Cole was mortally wounded on June 10, 1918, he was
relieved in command of the Sixth Machine, Gun Battalion of Marines by Capt.
Harlan E. Major. On June 11, 1918, Captain Major was relieved by Capt.George
H. Osterhout, who retained command until relieved by Maj. Littleton W. T.
Waller, Jr., on June 21, 1918.
During the fighting in the Chateau-Thierry sector the headquarters of the
Fourth Brigade was successively at Montreuil-aux-Lions, (in an automobile for
one-half hour on the way to the front lines), Issonge farmhouse, and La Loge
farmhouse. After being relieved by elements of the Twenty-sixth Division
during the night of July 5-6, 1918, the brigade moved to an area in rear of
the lines and occupied what was known as the Line of Defense or Army Line,
with
43
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS IN THE WORLD WAR.
headquarters at Nanteuil-sur-Marne. The brigade remained there until July 16,
1918.
During the time the above-described fighting was going on the Germans
were frustrated in their fourth 1918 drive (Noyon-Montdidier defensive)
between June 9 and 15, 1918, and of course being busy in the vicinity of Bois
de Belleau, the Marines had no opportunity of engaging in it.
Having been blocked in the Marne salient, the Germans attacked for the
fifth time in 1918 on July 15, and as events turned out it was the last, for
from the time of its failure they were on the defensive. The Allied troops
including many Americans held this attack, called by the Americans the
Champagne-Marne defensive, which was on a large scale, and the grand
initiative passed from the Germans to the Allies on July 18, 1918, when
Marshal Foch launched his initial major offensive, termed by the Americans the
Aisne-Marne. In this magnificent and gigantic operation the Marine Brigade
and other elements of the second Division played leading parts in the vicinity
of Soissons.
General headquarters, American Expeditionary Forces, on May 28, 1919,
credited the Second Division units with participation in the major operation
of Champagne-Marne defensive, but on June 2,1919, rescinded this credit.
44
Chapter XI.
THE AISNE-MARNE OFFENSIVE (SOISSONS).
On July 11, 1918, Brig. Gen. James G. Harbord, commanding general of the
Marine Brigade, received notification of his appointment as a major general,
and two days later left on a five days' leave of absence. As Col. Neville had
been evacuated to a base hospital after leaving the Chateau-Thierry sector,
Lieut. Col. Harry Lee assumed temporary command of the brigade. Maj. Gen.
Harbord and Col. Neville both returned in time to enter the Aisne-Marne
offensive, the former in command of the Second Division and the latter in
command of the Fourth Brigade.
Of the six Allied offensives taking place in 1918 on the Western Front,
designated by the Americans as major operations, the Fourth Brigade of
Marines, with the other units of the Second Division, participated in three,
the first being the vast offensive known as the Aisne-Marne, in which the
Marine Brigade entered the line near Soissons.
On July 17, 1918, the First Moroccan Division and the First and Second
Divisions of American Regulars were hurriedly and secretly concentrated, by
terribly fatiguing, forced night marches over roads jammed with troops,
artillery, and tanks, through rain and mud, in the Bois de Retz, near
Soissons. Headquarters of the Fourth Brigade was established at Vivieres.
The getting to the "jump-off" on time for this operation will always
share in Marine Corps history with the glorious victory that followed.
Early on the morning of July 18, 1918, Marshal Foch threw these three
picked divisions at the unsuspecting Germans with overwhelming success, and
again on the following day. The American commander in chief in his first
report stated:
The place of honor in the thrust toward Soissons on July 18 was
given to our First and Second Divisions, in company with chosen
French divisions. Without the usual brief warning of a preliminary
bombardment, the massed French and American artillery, firing by the
map, laid down its rolling barrage at dawn while the Infantry began
its charge. The tactical handling of our troops under these trying
conditions was excellent throughout the action. * * * The Second
Division took Beaurepaire Farm and Vierzy in a very rapid advance,
and reached a position in front of Tigny at the end of its second day.
In his final report he stated:
Gen. Petain's initial plan for the counterattack involved the
entire western face of the Marne salient. The First and Second
American Divisions, with the First French Moroccan Division between
them, were employed as the spearhead of the main attack, driving
directly eastward, through the most sensitive portion of the German
lines to the heights south of Soissons. The advance began on
July 18, without the usual brief warning of a preliminary bombardment,
and these three divisions at a single bound broke through the enemy's
infantry defenses and overran his artillery, cutting or interrupting
the German communications leading into the salient. A general
withdrawal from the Marne was immediately begun by the enemy, who
still fought stubbornly to prevent disaster. * * *
45
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS IN THE WORLD WAR.
The Second Division advanced 8 kilometers in the first 26 hours,
and by the end of the Second day was facing Tigny, having captured
3,000 prisoners and 66 field guns. It was relieved the night of the
19th by a French division. The result of this counter-offensive was
of decisive importance. Due to the magnificent dash and power
displayed on the field of Soissons by our First and Second Divisions
the tide of war was definitely turned in favor of the Allies.
Maj. Gen. James G. Harbord, commanding the Second Division in this
operation, describes the two days' fighting of his division in these words:
It is with keen pride that the division commander transmits to the
command the congratulations and affectionate personal greetings of
Gen. Pershing who visited the division headquarters last night. His
praise of the gallant work of the division on the 18th and 19th is
echoed by the French high command, the Third Corps commander,
American Expeditionary Forces, and in a telegram from the former
division commander. In spite of two sleepless nights, long marches
through rain and mud, and the discomforts of hunger and thirst, the
division attacked side by side with the gallant First Moroccan
Division and maintained itself with credit. You advanced over 6
miles, captured over 3,000 prisoners, 11 batteries of artillery,
over 100 machine guns, minnenwerfers, and supplies. The Second
Division has sustained the best traditions of the Regular Army and
the Marine Corps. The story of your achievements will be told
in millions of homes in all Allied lands to-night.
This was one of the greatest strategical successes of Marshal Foch, and
that the part played by the Marines was appreciated by the French is
illustrated by the Fifth and Sixth Regiments and the Sixth Machine Gun
Battalion being cited in French Army orders. The citations of the Sixth
Regiment (that of the Fifth Regiment being similar) and that of the Sixth
Machine Gun Battalion are quoted below:
Apres approbation du general commandant en chef les forces
expeditionnaires Americiaines en France, le general commandant
en chef les armees Francaises du nord et du nord-est, cit a
l'Ordre de l'Armee:
"Le 6e Regiment de Marine Americaine, sous les ordres du
Lieutenant-Colonel Lee,
"Engages a l'improviste dans l'offensive du 18 juillet 1918,
en pleine nuit, dans un terrain inconnu et tres difficile, ont
deploye pendant deux jours, sans se laisser arreter une tenacite
remarquables, refoulant l'ennemi sur 11 kilometres de profondeur,
capturant 2,700 prisonniers, 12 canons et plusiers centaines de
mitrailleuses,"
Au Grand Quartier General, le 25 Octobre 1918.
(Ordre No. 10.886 "D.")
Le General Commandant en Chef.
Signe: PETAIN
Apres approbation du general commandant en chef les forces
expeditionnaires en France, le marechal de France, commandant
en chef les Armees Francaises de l'est cite a l'Ordre de l'Armee:
"Le 6e Bataillon de Mitrailleuses U.S. Marine, sous les ordres
du Commandant L. W. T. Waller.
"Quoique tres fatigue par un long trajet en camion et une marche
de nuit sur des routes difficiles, ce batillon s'est precipite
a l'attaque le 18 juillet 1918, pres de Vierzy et a puissamment
contribute a consolider et a maintenir la position atteinte ce
jour-la.
"Dans la matinee du 19 juillet, il s'est vaillamment porte en
avant, en terrain decouvert, sous un violent feu d'artillerie et
de mitrailleuses, soutenant resolument l'attaque lancee contre
les positions reforcees de l'ennemi.
"Ayant a fair face a une forte resistance ennemie et a des
contre-attaques continelles, a fait preuve du plus beau courage
en consolidant rapidement et en tenant resolument l'importante
position conquises par l'infanterie ce jour-la."
Au Grand Quartier General, le 4 Mars 1919.
(Ordre No. 13.978 "D.")
Le Marechal,
Commandant en Chef les Armees Francaises del' Est.
PETAIN
46
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS IN THE WORLD WAR.
Following the advance of the first day, brigade headquarters was moved
forward to a cave in Vierzy.
Col. Logan Feland was in command of the Fifth Regiment during the
Aisne-Marne offensive, near Soissons, and continued in command of it with the
exception of two days in July, 1918 (when Brig. Gen. Lejeune commanded the
Fourth Brigade and Col. Neville the Fifth Regiment), until March 21, 1919,
when he was relieved by Col. Harold C. Snyder, who retained command until the
date of demobilization.
The Fourth Brigade was relieved about midnight July 19, 1918, and after
remaining in a reserve position until July 22, 1918, marched to an area
farther in the rear, but still in a reserve position, brigade headquarters
being established at Taillefontaine. After final relief from this active
sector the brigade was billeted July 24-25, 1918, in an area around
Nanteuil-le-Haudouin, brigade headquarters being established at Nanteuil. The
brigade remained in this area until July 31, 1918.
On Jul 25, 1918, Brig. Gen. John A. Lejeune arrived, and assumed command
of the Fourth Brigade on July 26, 1918, General Orders, No. 16, reading as
follows:
I have this day assumed command of the Fourth Brigade, U. S.
Marines. To command this brigade is the highest honor that
could come to any man. Its renown is imperishable and the skill,
endurance, and valor of the officers and men have immortalized its
name and that of the Marine Corps.
Brig. General Lejeune retained command until July 29, 1918, when he
became commanding general of the Second Division, relieving Maj. Gen. Harbord,
who left to assume command of the Services of Supply. Col. Neville, on this
latter date, resumed command of the Fourth Brigade.
47
Chapter XII.
MARBACHE SECTOR, NEAR PONT-A-MOUSSON-ST. MIHIEL
OFFENSIVE.
During the last two days of July, 1918, the units of the brigade
entrained for a 24-hour railroad journey which took them to an area around
Nancy, with headquarters at Villers-les-Nancy, where they remained resting and
refitting until August 9, 1918.
On August 7, 1918, information was received of the promotion of Bri. Gen.
Lejeune to the grade of major general, and of Col. Neville to the grade of
brigadier general, both to date from July 1, 1918.
Col. Albertus W. Catlin arrived in the United States on board the AMERICA
on August
