Reconnaissance Company, Headquarters Battalion (Reinf), 1st Marine Division (Reinf) Fleet Marine Force Pacific 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force Pacific MORE THAN A HALF CENTURY COLLECTION OF HISTORY, TRIVIA, SEA STORIES, HALF-TRUTHS, SCUTTLEBUT AND WHITE LIES Issue #34 -"Take me to the Brig. I want to see the real Marines." -Lt General Lewis Burwell “Chesty” Puller- 1November 2012 HEADQUARTERS U.S. MARINE CORPS Washington, November 1, 1921 The following will be read to the command on the 10th of November, 1921, and hereafter on the 10th of November of every year. Should the order not be received by the 10th of November, 1921, it will be read upon receipt. (1) On November 10, 1775, a Corps of Marines was created by a resolution of Continental Congress. Since that date many thousand men have borne the name “Marine”. In memory of them it is fitting that we who are Marines should commemorate the birthday of our corps by calling to mind the glories of its long and illustrious history. (2) The record of our corps is one which will bear comparison with that of the most famous military organizations in the world’s history. During 90 of the 146 years of its existence the Marine Corps has been in action against the Nation’s foes. From the Battle of Trenton to the Argonne, Marines have won foremost honors in war, and is the long eras of tranquility at home, generation after generation of Marines have grown gray in war in both hemispheres and in every corner of the sev- en seas, that our country and its citizens might enjoy peace and security. (3) In every battle and skirmish since the birth of our corps, Marines have acquitted themselves with the greatest distinction, winning new honors on each occasion until the term “Marine” has come to signify all that is highest in military efficiency and soldierly virtue. (4) This high name of distinction and soldierly repute we who are Marines today have received from those who preceded us in the corps. With it we have also received from them the eternal spirit which has animated our corps from generation to generation and has been the distinguishing mark of the Marines in every age. So long as that spirit continues to flourish Marines will be found equal to every emergency in the future as they have been in the past, and the men of our Nation will regard us as worthy successors to the long line of illustrious men who have served as “Soldiers of the Sea” since the founding of the Corps. John A. Lejeune, Major General Commandant Lejeune was born on January 10, 1867 at the Old Hickory Planta- Arriving in the Philippines on 2 May 1907, Lejeune assumed tion in Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana. He attended the preparatory command of the Marine Barracks and Naval Prison, Navy Yard, program at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge from Septem- Cavite, on 6 May 1907. He assumed command of the First Brigade ber 1881 to April 1884, leaving to prepare for the entrance exam for of Marines on 15 June 1908 and was promoted to lieutenant colo- the U.S. Naval Academy. Subsequently, he secured an appointment as nel on 13 May 1909. He was detached on 8 June 1909 and ordered to a midshipman at the United States Naval Academy, from which he return to the United States. He then attended the U.S. Army War graduated in 1888, ranking second academically in his class of thirty- College, graduating in 1910. two midshipmenAt the completion of a two-year cruise as a midship- Lieutenant Colonel Lejeune embarked on board USS Ohio on 26 man, he did not want a Navy career, but rather chose the Marine May 1912 with the Second Regiment, First Provisional Brigade Corps. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps Marines for Cuba. He disembarked at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, on 8 on 25 July 1890. June 1912 and was in command of the District of Santiago from 9 1890s June, to 14 July 1912. On 15 July 1912, Lejeune embarked on board After receiving his Marine Corps commission, Lejeune reported to USS Prairie and sailed for Colón, Panama. July 18–29, 1912 was Marine Barracks, New York on 31 March 1890 for Marine Corps spent at Camp Elliott, Panama. "indoctrination and instruction. "He reported for duty to the Marine After returning to the United States, Lejeune was again called Barracks, Norfolk, Virginia, on 3 November 1890. While in Norfolk, upon for expeditionary duty. He sailed from Philadelphia, 20 Febru- he met Ellie Harrison Murdaugh; they were engaged just before he ary 1913 as second in command of the First Regiment, Second Provi- began his sea duty. From 1 October 1891 to 28 July 1893, Lejeune sional Brigade Marines and disembarked 27 February 1913, at Guan- served on board USS Bennington and was promoted to first lieutenant tanamo Bay, Cuba. Then-LtCol Lejeune began the Marine Corps on 26 February 1892. On 28 August 1893, he reported for duty at the Association with the goal of professional advancement among Ma- Norfolk Barracks, where he served until 31 July 1897. While rines. He returned to Philadelphia on board USS Prairie on 2 May stationed in Norfolk again, he married Miss Murdaugh on 23 October 1913. 1895. On 27 November 1913, Lejeune sailed from New York with the On 2 August 1897, Lejeune assumed command of the Marine 2nd Advanced Base Regiment, his ultimate destination Veracruz, Guard of USS Cincinnati, where he served throughout the Spanish- Mexico, but returned to the United States to receive his promotion to American War. He was detached from the Cincinnati on 17 February colonel on 25 February 1914. Colonel Lejeune and his unit eventual- 1899, and on 18 February 1899, joined USS Massachusetts to ly landed in Mexico on 22 April 1914 and participated in the United command the Marine Guard. He was promoted to captain on 3 March States occupation of Veracruz. He returned home in December 1914, 1899 and left his position on Massachusetts on 10 May 1900. this time to report to Marine Corps Headquarters in Washington, 1900–1916 D.C., to become assistant to the Major General Commandant of the From 3 July 1900 to 12 November 1900, Captain Lejeune per- Marine Corps. He was promoted to brigadier general on 29 August formed recruiting duty at Boston, Massachusetts, and on 22 Novem- 1916. ber 1900 reported at the Marine Barracks, Pensacola, Florida, to com- World War I mand the Marines. From 12 January 1903 to 21 January 1903, With the outbreak of World War I, Lejeune assumed command of Captain Lejeune was on duty at the Norfolk Barracks, going to re- the newly constructed Marine Barracks, Quantico, Virginia; howev- cruiting duty at New York City on 26 January 1903. He was promoted er, his overseas service was inevitable, and in June 1918, he arrived to Major on 3 March 1903 and was on duty at Headquarters Marine at Brest, France. He was promoted to major general 1 July 1918. Corps in Washington, D.C. from 15 May 1903 to 8 August 1903. Upon reporting to the commander of the American Expeditionary On 8 August 1903, Major Lejeune was ordered to USS Panther to Forces, he was assigned to command a brigade of the 32nd Division command the Marine Battalion on board that vessel, joining 16 and assumed command of the 4th Brigade of Marines of the 2d August 1903. On 23 October 1903, the battalion, with Lejeune in Division immediately following the attack of the division in the Bat- command, was transferred to USS Dixie. From 16 December 1903 to tle of Soissons. On 28 July 1918, Major General Lejeune assumed 21 December 1904, Major Lejeune was on duty ashore on the Isthmus command of the 2nd Division and remained in that capacity until of Panama in command of this battalion, leaving there on the latter August 1919, when the unit was demobilized. He was the second date on board USS Yankee. Marine officer to hold an Army divisional command (BG Charles A. From 27 January 1905 to 20 May 1906, Lejeune served at the Doyen was the first), and following the Armistice he led his division Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C. He then returned to Panama in in the march into Germany. command of a battalion of Marines from 29 May to 6 July 1906, the (Continued on next page) battalion being transported both ways on board USS Columbia. This was detached duty, and on 29 March 1907, Major Lejeune was detached from command of the Washington Barracks and ordered to the Philippines. His family — his wife and three daughters accompa- nied him on this overseas duty. - Lieutenant General John A. Lejeune - (Continued from previous page) During that war, he was recognized by the French Government as a strategist and leader, as evidenced by the Legion of Honor, and the Croix de guerre bestowed upon him by France. From General John J. Pershing, he received the Distinguished Service Medal (Army). The Navy Distinguished Service Medal was conferred upon him when he returned to the United States following the occupation of Germany. In October 1919, he again was appointed Commanding General, Marine Barracks, Quantico, Virginia. Commandant of the Marine Corps Lejeune was appointed as Major General Commandant of the Marine Corps on 1 July 1920. Subsequent to that time, he left his headquarters at Washington several times for tours of inspection in Haiti, Santo Domingo, Cuba, Puerto Rico, to the West Coast and elsewhere.