Albertus W. Catlin

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Albertus Wright Catlin
December 1, 1868(1868-12-01) – May 31, 1933 (aged 64)
Brigadier General Albertus W. Catlin
Place of birth	Rome, New York
Place of death	Culpeper, Virginia
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Marine Corps
Years of service	1892-1919
Rank	Brigadier General
Commands held	3rd Marine Regiment 6th Marine Regiment
Battles/wars	Spanish-American War Vera Cruz (1914) World War I *Battle of Belleau Wood
Awards	Medal of Honor Croix de Guerre (2)

Brigadier General Albertus Wright Catlin (December 1, 1868–May 31, 1933) after commanding the 3rd Regiment at Vera Cruz, Mexico in 1914, was issued a commendatory letter by the Secretary of the Navy for courage and skill in leading his command. Later he was awarded the Medal of Honor for bravery in action.

1 Biography
2 Medal of Honor citation
3 See also
4 References
- 4.1 Footnotes

[edit] Biography

Born 1 December 1868 in Rome, New York, he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps on 1 July 1892 after graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1890 and serving his 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 the USS Maine, 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 was awarded 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.^[1] 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 6 June 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 30 August 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 31 May 1933. Brigadier General Catlin is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

In addition to the Medal of Honor, Brigadier General 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.

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 0898393272]

[edit] Medal of Honor citation

CATLIN, Albertus Wright
Major, 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 occuaption of the city.