Albertus W. Catlin
Encyclopedia
Brigadier General Albertus Wright Catlin of the United States Marine Corps
(December 1, 1868–May 31, 1933) after commanding the 3rd Regiment at Veracruz
, Mexico
, in 1914, was issued a commendatory letter by the Secretary of the Navy for courage and skill in leading his command. Later, he received the Medal of Honor
for bravery in action.
in May 1886. He captained the football team at Annapolis and played left halfback for three years. He graduated with the Class of 1890.
As service in the U.S. Marine Corps seemed to offer the best chance of active service, he applied for a commission in the Corps and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps on July 1, 1892, after serving two years at sea. After serving at various posts and stations in the United States and on board ships of the Navy
, he saw action in the Spanish American War as commanding officer of the Marine detachment aboard , when the ship was destroyed in Havana
Harbor in February 1898.
While serving in Cuba in 1911, he commanded a battalion of the 1st Regiment at Guantanamo Bay
. He then commanded the 3rd Regiment at Vera Cruz
, where he received the Medal of Honor
for bravery.
Colonel
Catlin graduated from the U.S. Army War College
one month after the outbreak of World War I
. Subsequently, he was placed in charge of the Marine training camp at Quantico, Virginia. In October 1917, Catlin was sent to France as commanding officer of the 6th Marines. From June 1–6, 1918, the 6th Regiment saw action in the front lines from Paris-Metz Road through Lucy le Bocage to Hill 142. On the June 6, 1918, with his regiment attacking Bois de Belleau
, he was wounded in the chest by a sniper and evacuated to a hospital the next day.
Upon returning to the United States, Colonel Catlin served at Headquarters Marine Corps
and was appointed brigadier general
on August 30, 1918. Following his tour at Headquarters, he was assigned to the Marine Barracks at Quantico, and in November 1918, he sailed for Haiti
where he assumed command of the First Brigade of Marines until September 1919.
In December 1919, Brigadier General Catlin retired from the Marine Corps. As a result of his wound, he was in ill health until his death in Culpeper, Virginia
, on May 31, 1933. Brigadier General Catlin is buried in Arlington National Cemetery
. His wife, Martha Ellen Catlin (1880–1937) is buried with him.
In addition to the Medal of Honor, Catlin was awarded two Croix de Guerre
, one with palms and one with gilt star for gallantry in action against the enemy at Belleau Wood. He was also made an Officer of the Legion of Honor for his services in the same sector. Later the SS George Washington
was renamed the USS Catlin (AP-19) during World War II
.
Soon after his return from France, he summarized his war experiences in a book called With the Help of God and a Few Marines [published by Battery Press, 1919 (First Edition), ISBN 0-89839-327-2].
On December 1, 2006, RDML Harry Harris Jr., CAPT Mark Leary, and Marine Maj. George Nunez, unveiled a monument dedicating Quarters M101 Guantanamo Bay
to the memory of Catlin. From that day forward, the flag quarters at Marine Site will be known as Catlin House.
Major, U. S. Marine Corps
G. O. Navy Department, No. 177
December 4, 1915
Citation:
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
(December 1, 1868–May 31, 1933) after commanding the 3rd Regiment at Veracruz
Veracruz, Veracruz
Veracruz, officially known as Heroica Veracruz, is a major port city and municipality on the Gulf of Mexico in the Mexican state of Veracruz. The city is located in the central part of the state. It is located along Federal Highway 140 from the state capital Xalapa, and is the state's most...
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, in 1914, was issued a commendatory letter by the Secretary of the Navy for courage and skill in leading his command. Later, he received the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
for bravery in action.
Biography
Born December 1, 1868, in Gowanda, New York, Catlin was appointed to the U.S. Naval AcademyUnited States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
in May 1886. He captained the football team at Annapolis and played left halfback for three years. He graduated with the Class of 1890.
As service in the U.S. Marine Corps seemed to offer the best chance of active service, he applied for a commission in the Corps and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps on July 1, 1892, after serving two years at sea. After serving at various posts and stations in the United States and on board ships of the Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
, he saw action in the Spanish American War as commanding officer of the Marine detachment aboard , when the ship was destroyed in Havana
Havana
Havana is the capital city, province, major port, and leading commercial centre of Cuba. The city proper has a population of 2.1 million inhabitants, and it spans a total of — making it the largest city in the Caribbean region, and the most populous...
Harbor in February 1898.
While serving in Cuba in 1911, he commanded a battalion of the 1st Regiment at Guantanamo Bay
Guantanamo Bay Naval Base
Guantanamo Bay Naval Base is located on of land and water at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba which the United States leased for use as a coaling station following the Cuban-American Treaty of 1903. The base is located on the shore of Guantánamo Bay at the southeastern end of Cuba. It is the oldest overseas...
. He then commanded the 3rd Regiment at Vera Cruz
Veracruz, Veracruz
Veracruz, officially known as Heroica Veracruz, is a major port city and municipality on the Gulf of Mexico in the Mexican state of Veracruz. The city is located in the central part of the state. It is located along Federal Highway 140 from the state capital Xalapa, and is the state's most...
, where he received the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
for bravery.
Colonel
Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, colonel is a senior field grade military officer rank just above the rank of lieutenant colonel and just below the rank of brigadier general...
Catlin graduated from the U.S. Army War College
U.S. Army War College
The United States Army War College is a United States Army school located in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, on the 500 acre campus of the historic Carlisle Barracks...
one month after the outbreak of World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. Subsequently, he was placed in charge of the Marine training camp at Quantico, Virginia. In October 1917, Catlin was sent to France as commanding officer of the 6th Marines. From June 1–6, 1918, the 6th Regiment saw action in the front lines from Paris-Metz Road through Lucy le Bocage to Hill 142. On the June 6, 1918, with his regiment attacking Bois de Belleau
Battle of Belleau Wood
The Battle of Belleau Wood occurred during the German 1918 Spring Offensive in World War I, near the Marne River in France. The battle was fought between the U.S...
, he was wounded in the chest by a sniper and evacuated to a hospital the next day.
Upon returning to the United States, Colonel Catlin served at Headquarters Marine Corps
Headquarters Marine Corps
Headquarters Marine Corps is a headquarters staff within the Department of the Navy which includes the offices of the Commandant of the Marine Corps, the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps and various staff functions...
and was appointed brigadier general
Brigadier general (United States)
A brigadier general in the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, is a one-star general officer, with the pay grade of O-7. Brigadier general ranks above a colonel and below major general. Brigadier general is equivalent to the rank of rear admiral in the other uniformed...
on August 30, 1918. Following his tour at Headquarters, he was assigned to the Marine Barracks at Quantico, and in November 1918, he sailed for Haiti
Haiti
Haiti , officially the Republic of Haiti , is a Caribbean country. It occupies the western, smaller portion of the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antillean archipelago, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. Ayiti was the indigenous Taíno or Amerindian name for the island...
where he assumed command of the First Brigade of Marines until September 1919.
In December 1919, Brigadier General Catlin retired from the Marine Corps. As a result of his wound, he was in ill health until his death in Culpeper, Virginia
Culpeper, Virginia
Culpeper is an incorporated town in Culpeper County, Virginia, United States. The population was 9,664 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Culpeper County. Culpeper is part of the Culpeper Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Culpeper County. Both the Town of Culpeper and...
, on May 31, 1933. Brigadier General Catlin is buried in Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia, is a military cemetery in the United States of America, established during the American Civil War on the grounds of Arlington House, formerly the estate of the family of Confederate general Robert E. Lee's wife Mary Anna Lee, a great...
. His wife, Martha Ellen Catlin (1880–1937) is buried with him.
In addition to the Medal of Honor, Catlin was awarded two Croix de Guerre
Croix de guerre
The Croix de guerre is a military decoration of France. It was first created in 1915 and consists of a square-cross medal on two crossed swords, hanging from a ribbon with various degree pins. The decoration was awarded during World War I, again in World War II, and in other conflicts...
, one with palms and one with gilt star for gallantry in action against the enemy at Belleau Wood. He was also made an Officer of the Legion of Honor for his services in the same sector. Later the SS George Washington
SS George Washington
SS George Washington was an ocean liner built in 1908 for the Bremen-based North German Lloyd and was named after George Washington, the first President of the United States. The ship was also known as USS George Washington and USAT George Washington in service of the United States Navy and United...
was renamed the USS Catlin (AP-19) during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Soon after his return from France, he summarized his war experiences in a book called With the Help of God and a Few Marines [published by Battery Press, 1919 (First Edition), ISBN 0-89839-327-2].
On December 1, 2006, RDML Harry Harris Jr., CAPT Mark Leary, and Marine Maj. George Nunez, unveiled a monument dedicating Quarters M101 Guantanamo Bay
Guantanamo Bay Naval Base
Guantanamo Bay Naval Base is located on of land and water at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba which the United States leased for use as a coaling station following the Cuban-American Treaty of 1903. The base is located on the shore of Guantánamo Bay at the southeastern end of Cuba. It is the oldest overseas...
to the memory of Catlin. From that day forward, the flag quarters at Marine Site will be known as Catlin House.
Medal of Honor citation
CATLIN, Albertus WrightMajor, U. S. Marine Corps
G. O. Navy Department, No. 177
December 4, 1915
Citation:
For distinguished conduct in battle, engagement of VERA CRUZ, April 22nd, 1914. Was eminent and conspicuous in command of his battalion. He exhibited courage and skill in leading his men through the action of the 22nd and in the final occupation of the city.
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients
- List of Medal of Honor recipients (Veracruz)