thedrifter
07-23-07, 08:25 AM
The Lore of the Corps
Gen. Lejeune first Marine to lead an Army division
By Nick Adde - Special to the Times
Posted : July 30, 2007
While Gen. Peter Pace earned the distinction of being the first Marine chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Corps' 13th commandant drew acclaim as the first Marine officer to command an Army division.
Army Gen. John Pershing, commander of American Expeditionary Forces during World War I, tapped then-Maj. Gen. John Lejeune to command the Army's 2nd Infantry Division after pinning on his second star at the height of U.S. involvement in the war in July 1918. While serving as the Indianhead Division commander, he simultaneously commanded 4th Marine Brigade.
Shortly after Lejeune assumed command, the Marines and soldiers under him fought against the German army during the Battle of Soissons. U.S. forces took more than 12,000 casualties during the engagement.
Following their success at Soissons, Pershing offered Lejeune's troops to assist the badly depleted French army.
The French commander wanted to use the Marines as reinforcements, but Lejeune suggested allowing his division to deploy as a unit, he said, and routing the Germans from their fortress on Blanc Mont Ridge, France.
He got his wish and ordered an assault on the stronghold, bypassing hot spots and targeting a ridge above the German position.
The operation began Oct. 3, 1918, as the Marine units made considerable progress on the eastern ridge of Blanc Mont. But French units were bogged down during their frontal assault, delaying success for a night, just long enough for the Germans to bring in significant reinforcements.
Lejeune's U.S. forces made progress the next day, but under severe fire and at the significant cost of more than 1,100 casualties for U.S. forces.
However, Lejeune's Marines and soldiers defeated their German adversaries and seized Blanc Mont, as well as the nearby town of St. Etienne.
Lejeune remained in command of the 2nd Infantry Division and 4th Marine Brigade until the combined unit was demobilized in August 1919. After the armistice ended the war, Lejeune led the division as it marched into Germany.
For his role in the war, Lejeune received the Croix de Guerre, France's highest military honor.
Born in Point Coupee Parish, La., in 1867, Lejeune graduated from Louisiana State University, secured an appointment to the Naval Academy in 1888 and was commissioned two years later. He commanded the Marine guard on the light cruiser Cincinnati during the Spanish-American War.
Lejeune was promoted to brigadier general in 1916 while serving as assistant to the commandant. He commanded Marine Barracks Quantico, Va. - new at the time - before deploying to France during World War I. After the war, he again held command at Quantico.
He was appointed commandant as a major general in July 1920 and held that position until November 1929. He retired and became superintendent of the Virginia Military Institute, remaining at the school until failing health forced him to resign eight years later.
Lejeune was promoted to lieutenant general in February 1942, while on the retired list. He died in Baltimore that November.
Camp Lejeune, N.C. - built in 1941 - was named in his honor.
---Nick Adde can be reached at nickadde@verizon.net.
Ellie
Gen. Lejeune first Marine to lead an Army division
By Nick Adde - Special to the Times
Posted : July 30, 2007
While Gen. Peter Pace earned the distinction of being the first Marine chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Corps' 13th commandant drew acclaim as the first Marine officer to command an Army division.
Army Gen. John Pershing, commander of American Expeditionary Forces during World War I, tapped then-Maj. Gen. John Lejeune to command the Army's 2nd Infantry Division after pinning on his second star at the height of U.S. involvement in the war in July 1918. While serving as the Indianhead Division commander, he simultaneously commanded 4th Marine Brigade.
Shortly after Lejeune assumed command, the Marines and soldiers under him fought against the German army during the Battle of Soissons. U.S. forces took more than 12,000 casualties during the engagement.
Following their success at Soissons, Pershing offered Lejeune's troops to assist the badly depleted French army.
The French commander wanted to use the Marines as reinforcements, but Lejeune suggested allowing his division to deploy as a unit, he said, and routing the Germans from their fortress on Blanc Mont Ridge, France.
He got his wish and ordered an assault on the stronghold, bypassing hot spots and targeting a ridge above the German position.
The operation began Oct. 3, 1918, as the Marine units made considerable progress on the eastern ridge of Blanc Mont. But French units were bogged down during their frontal assault, delaying success for a night, just long enough for the Germans to bring in significant reinforcements.
Lejeune's U.S. forces made progress the next day, but under severe fire and at the significant cost of more than 1,100 casualties for U.S. forces.
However, Lejeune's Marines and soldiers defeated their German adversaries and seized Blanc Mont, as well as the nearby town of St. Etienne.
Lejeune remained in command of the 2nd Infantry Division and 4th Marine Brigade until the combined unit was demobilized in August 1919. After the armistice ended the war, Lejeune led the division as it marched into Germany.
For his role in the war, Lejeune received the Croix de Guerre, France's highest military honor.
Born in Point Coupee Parish, La., in 1867, Lejeune graduated from Louisiana State University, secured an appointment to the Naval Academy in 1888 and was commissioned two years later. He commanded the Marine guard on the light cruiser Cincinnati during the Spanish-American War.
Lejeune was promoted to brigadier general in 1916 while serving as assistant to the commandant. He commanded Marine Barracks Quantico, Va. - new at the time - before deploying to France during World War I. After the war, he again held command at Quantico.
He was appointed commandant as a major general in July 1920 and held that position until November 1929. He retired and became superintendent of the Virginia Military Institute, remaining at the school until failing health forced him to resign eight years later.
Lejeune was promoted to lieutenant general in February 1942, while on the retired list. He died in Baltimore that November.
Camp Lejeune, N.C. - built in 1941 - was named in his honor.
---Nick Adde can be reached at nickadde@verizon.net.
Ellie