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Uni International 300 N. Zeeb Road Ann Arbor, Ml 48106 8426385 Fleming, Victor Keith, Jr. THE MARINE CORPS IN CRISIS: THE INSTITUTIONAL RESPONSE TO THE RIBBON CREEK INCIDENT The Ohio State University Ph.D. 1984 University Microfilms International300 N. Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor, Ml 48106 Copyright 1984 by Fleming, Victor Keith, Jr. All Rights Reserved THE MARINE CORPS IN CRISIS THE - INSTITUTIONAL RESPONSE TO THE RIBBON CREEK INCIDENT DISSERTATION Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of the Ohio State University By Victor Keith Fleming, Jr., B.A., M.A. ****** The Ohio State University 1984 Reading Committee: Allan R. Millett Approved By Williamson Murray Warren Van Tine Advisor Stanley Kahrl Department of History © Copyright by Victor Keith Fleming, 1984 AUTHOR'S NOTE Even though I am employed as a civilian historian for the Marine Corps, the research and writing of this dissertation were done on my own time. This history should not be construed as representing the official policies or position of the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy, or the United States Marine Corps. The opinions and conclusions expressed herein are my own, as are any errors or ommissions. -Victor K. Fleming, Jr. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I am indebted to two of my professors at the Ohio State University for setting me on the path leading to this dissertation. The intellectual excitement of one of Dr. Williamson Murray's classes convinced me to shift my program and seek a degree in military history. I will always be grateful to him for that. Dr. Allan R. Millett encouraged my program shift, and also became my advisor. He had guided my doctoral program from start to finish. I deeply appreciate that guidance and the knowledge he taught both in and out of the classroom. I am particulary grateful to my colleagues on the staff of the Marine Corps Historical Center in Washington, D.C., the major repository for material related to the Marine Corps for the years since 1940. Their assistance was always forthcoming. Brigadier General Edwin H. Simmons, USMC (Ret) brought the historical center into being and created the policies that ease research into Marine Corps records. Mrs. Joyce E. Bonnett, the head of the Archives Section, was always helpful in locating records in her immediate holdings or in bringing Marine iii Corps records from the National Records Center, Suitland, Maryland. Mr. Charles A. Wood, formerly the head of the Personal Papers Section and now chief curator of the Marine Corps Museum, guided me through the voluminous papers of retired General Wallace M. Greene, Jr. and also made arrangements to have boxes of papers available during non-working hours. Mr. Benis M. Frank, head of the Oral History Section, steered me toward the most fruitful interviews. Mr. Danny J. Crawford, head of the Reference Section, his predecessor, Mrs. Gabrielle San- telli, and all the section's staff members invariably took time to aid my search through the historical center's extensive reference files. The head librarian, Miss Evelyn A. Englander, and her assistant, Mrs. Patricia E. Morgan, cheerfully helped me find the needed published sources, whether from the stacks or through interlibrary loan. Colonel John G. Miller, currently head of the Historical Branch, and Mr. Henry I. Shaw, Jr., the chief historian and head of the Histories Section, have been most supportive and always granted me annual leave to pursue my writing. Mr* Shaw's candid advice on the nature of the Marine Corps and the details of its history have been invaluable. Major Edward F. Wells was helpful in giving the benefit of his own knowledge of recruit train­ ing from both an officer's and a recruit's viewpoint. In addition, he loaned me a considerable number of books from his own library. Mr. Jack Shulimson, the historical center's senior Vietnam historian, helped immeasurably by debating my developing ideas. Three retired Marine general officers— General Wallace M. Greene, Jr., General Merrill H. Twining, and Brigadier General Samuel R. Shaw— generously provided answers to my many questions about the Ribbon Creek period. All three gave written comments on earlier draft chapters, which enriched the final product. My family's support has been crucial in helping me complete my degree. My two children, Joanna and John, have reached their high school years while helping their parents through two doctorates. This has been their effort, too, and they deserve much of the credit for my completing this enterprise. In addition, Joanna willingly agreed to type the final dissertation, while wisely insisting upon a professional fee. My wife, Kathryn, has been a magnificent source of strength and love throughout my research and writing. During this time, she completed her own doctorate and began her own professional career, while shouldering more than her share of parental and family responsibilities. She has my admiration as well as my love. I thank all the members of my reading committee for their suggestions for improving this work. Nevertheless, v I bear full responsibility for any errors and oiranissions herein. VITA April 16, 1941. ..... Born - Abbeville, South Carolina 1959..................... USMC enlisted service, July- September. Received medical discharge for recurrent dislocation of left shoulder. 1960-1963 ............... USMC enlisted service. 1963-1973 ............... USMC commissioned service. Includes combat infantry service in the Dominican Republic, 1965, and Vietnam, 1966-67. 197 5 ..................... B.A. (magna cum laude) , University of Alabama, Univer­ sity, Alabama. 197 6..................... M.A., University of Alabama, University, Alabama. 1976-1977 ............... University Fellowship, De­ partment of Anthropology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. 1978-1980 ............... Teaching Assistant, Depart­ ment of History, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. 1980-Present............ Historian, Marine Corps Historical Center, Washing­ ton , D . C. vii PUBLICATIONS Telfer, Major Gary L.; Rogers, Lieutenant Colonel Lane; and Victor K. Fleming, Jr., U.S. Marines in Vietnam Fighting the North Vietnamese, 1967. In press. "A Summary of the Historical Aboriginal Occupations of the Guntersville Basin, Alabama. Paper presented at the Southeastern Archaeological Conference, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, November 1977. "The General and the Reporter: A Case Study in Military Press Relations." Paper presented at the American His­ torical Association Conference, December 1982. "Mobilization of a Rifle Company: The Callup in a Small Ohio Town," National Guard 34 (Sept. 1980), p. 26-30. FIELDS OF STUDY Major Field: Military History Studies in American Military History. Professor Allan R. Millett Studies in European Military History. Professor Williamson Murray. Studies in American Diplomatic History. Profes­ sor Marvin Zahniser. Studies in Peasant Societies. Professor Chung Min Chen. viii TABLE OF CONTENTS AUTHOR'S NOTE............ ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................. iii VITA ................................................ vii INTRODUCTION ..................................... 1 Chapter I. DEVELOPMENT OF THE MALTREATMENT PROBLEM. 18 II. THE RIBBON CREEK INCIDENT................ 56 III. THE IMMEDIATE REACTION.................. 77 IV. INSTITUTING THE CHANGES..................... 109 V. THE MCKEON COURT-MARTIAL...................145 VI. MAKING THE CHANGES WORK.....................171 VII. GREENE'S DOWNFALL........................... 196 VIII. AFTERWORD..................................