PDA

View Full Version : Depot Decade: A base is born in San Diego



thedrifter
08-30-03, 11:23 AM
Depot Decade: A base is born in San Diego
Submitted by: MCRD San Diego
Story Identification Number: 2003829183421
Story by Sgt. L. F. Langston



MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO, Calif.(August 29, 2003) -- In an ongoing project to cover the 80-year history of the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, the Chevron will be covering a decade in the history of the Depot in weekly installments. The archivist at the Command Museum has verified all facts.

In 1915 Col. Joseph H. Pendleton envisioned a Marine Corps Base in San Diego and approached Congressman William Kettner with the idea. Kettner had his own visions as well and decided on an area known as Dutch Flats, which was a low-lying tidal marsh that was covered with water at high tide.

Pendleton's continued lobbying and regular speaking appearances at luncheons held throughout the city enlightened San Diegans to the idea of building a Marine advance base in San Diego. After a visit from Maj. Gen. George Barnett, the twelfth Commandant of the Marine Corps, Pendleton persuaded Barnett to write in his report to Congress on 26 August, 1915, that "Climatic conditions in San Diego are particularly suitable for an advance base or expeditionary regiment or brigade to work outdoors the year round." "San Diego, being the southern most harbor in the United States of the Pacific Coast, is particularly well suited for such a post."

In the fall of 1915, San Diegans voted, 40,288 to 305, to transfer 500 acres of tidelands to the Navy. On 5 January 1916, Kettner authored a bill to provide $250,000 for the purchase of 232 acres of land as a site for a U.S. Marine Corps Post in San Diego, Calif.

The government issued a check for Dutch Flats on June 15, 1917. The entry of the United States into World War I delayed full-scale construction for another two years. By October 1920, the barracks and power plant were nearly complete but Pendleton knowing that it would be some time before the next phase of construction would be completed, devised a plan that would allow early occupation of the base. On Dec.1, 1921, Pendleton transferred his 250 Marines from Balboa Park and moved into building C-1. Construction continued in 1922 and six major support buildings, including the medical dispensary and post exchange, plus several small utility structures were constructed.

On August 1923, the Marine Corps Training Station for the western half of the United States moved from Mare Island Navy Yard, San Francisco, to San Diego. The first draft of recruits, 250 men under the command of Lt. G.L. Gloeckner, arrived in San Diego aboard the transport USS Sirius on Aug. 12,1923.

Recruit training actually began a week earlier under the command of Maj. Emil P. Moses. He had earlier commanded the recruit depot at Mare Island.

By Aug. 15, there were five platoons of 65 men each in training. Recruits were called "applicants" during the first two days. They watched training procedures and, after that, they could join if they still wanted to. Training lasted eight to 10 weeks and included daily parades at 4 p.m. on the sand covered parade deck.

Reveille was at 5 a.m., followed by physical training, area cleanup, and breakfast. After morning colors, the days were filled with close order drill and extended order drill, with a break for the noon meal.

The rifle range at that time was in La Jolla, now the site of University of California at San Diego. The recruits would hike to the range for the weeklong session.

Qualifying brought monetary rewards with an expert receiving an extra five dollars a month, a sharpshooter three dollars and a marksman two dollars. Messmen were paid five extra dollars for their services.

During the fall of 1924, the Commandant issued an alert for the Marines at San Diego to prepare for expeditionary service in China. The base expanded as several new areas were developed for training in bayonet, entrenchment practice and weapons drill.

The buildup for China resulted in a flurry of construction activity in 1925. That same year President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared a limited national emergency following the outbreak of war in Europe and the base remained almost unchanged physically from 1925 until 1939.

In 1927, the Training Station was redesignated the Recruit Depot.

Pendleton eventually saw the completion of his dream to include many changes never envisioned.

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/200382919525/$file/ARCHCNST_lr.jpg

Construction of the barracks and main arcade aboard the Depot took place in 1920 and 1921. Col. Joseph H. Pendleton transferred 250 Marines from Balboa Park in December 1921.
Photo by: Courtesy of Command Museum



Sempers,

Roger
:marine:

thedrifter
09-07-03, 06:51 AM
In 1930s, MCB San Diego was prime training grounds
Submitted by: MCRD San Diego
Story Identification Number: 200395185325
Story by Lance Cpl. Jess Levens



MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO, Calif.(September 5, 2003) -- The Marine Corps has a symbiotic relationship with the Navy, which derives from riding ships around the world together for various combat missions or training exercises. The Marines stationed on the West Coast are easily deployable; ready to go when the need is there. The Pacific Marines weren't always mobile, however, as the their role in combat and relationship with the Navy changed drastically in the 1930s.

In the 1930s the Depot was known as Marine Corps Base, San Diego. The base had 50 officers and approximately 1,000 enlisted Marines. These men were spread to the old rifle range in La Jolla, Calif., the San Diego destroyer base, and Marine Corps Aviation Force at North Island.

The recruit depot, affectionately referred to as "R.D.," was only a small portion of MCB, San Diego. R.D. was staffed with 33 Marines authorized to train 270 recruits at a time.

In 1932, several organizations were maintained at MCB, San Diego. These organizations included Base Headquarters Company, Base Service Company, Fifth Company Engineers, 6th Battery of Artillery, Recruit Depot, Sea School, and First and Second Casual Companies.

The 6th Marine Regiment was reactivated in San Diego in September 1934. The regiment was commanded by Lt. Colonel Andrew B. Drum.

In December 1934, the Marine Corps leased 19,298 acres of a 32,000-acre section of land in the Kearney Mesa area from the city of San Diego to use primarily for artillery, anti-aircraft and machine gun practice for various units assigned to the base. The area was collectively referred to as Camp Holcomb, according to Ellen Guillemette, archivist, Command Museum.

In 1935, the base nearly doubled its manpower to 100 officers and close to 2,000 enlisted personnel.

Maj. Gen. John Henry Russell, Jr., was disappointed with the Marine Corps' role on the West Coast. He believed a ready, combat force should be in San Diego. In 1933, he wrote a letter to the chief of naval operations stating his goals for the Corps on the West Coast.

"Following this line of thought, it appears that the present title, expeditionary force, is a misnomer," wrote Russell. "A more appropriate title would be 'Fleet Base Defense Force,' or 'Fleet Marine Force.'"

The letter eventually made it to Adm. David F. Sellers, commander-in-chief, U.S. Fleet. He agreed with Russell's ideas and opinions and endorsed the idea.

"When the Fleet Marine Force is attached to the U.S. Fleet, the commander-in-chief will establish close contact with its commander and utilize such elements as are available during Fleet Tactical Exercises and Fleet Problems," the endorsement stated.

With this, a new relationship between the Marine Corps and Navy was conceived.

With a new lease on the Marine Corps purpose, Fleet Marine Forces were relocated to MCB, San Diego in 1935. 2nd Battalion, 10th Marines, was moved to San Diego along with several other units from MCB, Quantico, Va. The force reached such high numbers that it was given brigade status. Now the 2nd Brigade, it made up the West Coast segment of Fleet Marine Forces.

Another unit aboard MCB, San Diego, was 2nd Signal Company. Upon completion of recruit training, new Marines with a knack for electronics were given a 21-week course on code, radio, field equipment and basic electronics.

Throughout the 1930s, the mission of the units aboard MCB, San Diego, was to prepare for expeditionary duty.

Headquarters, Fleet Marine Forces, was moved to MCB, San Diego in September 1935.

As times started to get tough in Europe, and World War II became imminent, a larger number of recruits began to pour onto the Depot.

In 1939, major construction began on MCB, San Diego. New barracks, 27 warehouses, mess facilities, a new exchange, a new psychiatric facility, new dental and medical facilities, a new administration building, an auditorium, a swimming pool, an amphibian shed and ramps for beach landing training were constructed during this period. Hundreds of 16-man huts were erected to accommodate the thousands of new recruits. Communications, motor transport, clerical, military police, first sergeants' and drill instructor schools were added, according to Guillemette.

Overall, the 1930s was a time of reinvention and reconstruction for the Marine Corps on the West Coast, especially for MCB, San Diego. A new working relationship with the Navy was formed, a new mission was set, and more young men then ever before came to be a part this Corps.


http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/200395185623/$file/depot30s_lr.jpg

1930s Marines showcase uniforms of the decade for Navy Day. Navy Day is a celebration of the Navy's birthday and its association with the Marine Corps.
Photo by: Official Marine Corps photo


Sempers,

Roger
:marine:

thedrifter
09-14-03, 08:06 AM
Recruit training mission expands with growth of Depot in 40s
Submitted by: MCRD San Diego
Story Identification Number: 2003912142241
Story by the Public Affairs Office and the Museum Historical Society



MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO, Calif.(September 12, 2003) -- Despite preparations for war, which began during the late 1930's, the Marine Corps Base was still not equipped to handle the thousands of men who poured in after the war began Dec. 7, 1941. New Marine Corps camps for training purposes were quickly opened to make room for the expansion of the Depot. World War II brought the Marine Corps Base into a new decade of supply and demand of America's finest men and women.

"In those days, three weeks after Pearl Harbor, the base was spreading like an unruly forest fire. More than 18,000 boots arrived for training in one month. Every officer was handling from two to four full-time jobs, and had to until new officers reported in," said Capt. Robert P. White, Public Relations Officer, MCB, San Diego, 1943.

By May 1942, new recruits were overwhelmed the 16-man crew at the receiving barracks. The record, according to The Chevron, was "918 men in a single day."

The rapid expansion of the base created a housing shortage for recruits. New recruits had to be quartered first in tents and then in the hundreds of wooden 16-man huts that were quickly erected during the war. The influx of recruits on the Base also necessitated a rapid expansion of Marine Rifle Range, La Jolla, Calif., which in 1942, was redesignated Camp Matthews.

During the peak of the war in 1944, as many as 9,000 men qualified at Camp Matthews every three weeks. Camp strength grew to more than 700 Marines. The size of the facility also increased dramatically. Camp Matthews saw an array of changes from weaponry to new training courses.

In 1943, the Garand M-1 rifle was introduced, by the end of that same year the M-1 had completely replaced the 03 Springfield. From 1943 through 1949, the highlight of the recruits' training with this weapon came when they entered the fourth week and began a three-week training period at the rifle range.

The Rifle Range Detachment trained recruits in the use of the rifle and other small arms and special weapons including the flamethrower, carbine, browning automatic rifle, bazooka, mortars, light and heavy machine guns, .22 caliber rifle, and the .45 caliber pistol. In 1949, recruits were to receive indoctrination in bayonet and grenade training. The Depot's training schedule called for several hours of instruction and application with the bayonet, and an equal amount of class work and practical use with hand and rifle grenades. New training tactics were created to give the new Marines a combat edge.

Along with tactics, new schools were also formed onboard the Base during the 1940's. Other schools included First Sergeants' School, clerical, motor transport, and military police schools. Most were organized during World War II and closed at the end of hostilities. First Sergeants' School was established in March 1942 by Warrant Officer Ford E. Wilkins and closed in 1944. Motor Transport School opened in May 1943. In addition to training, schools, facilities and units flourished.

The new outdoor theater opened Feb. 11, 1942 on the southeast end of the parade ground. Col. William H. Rupertus ordered the construction, a move that boosted morale. Word soon reached Hollywood of its great endorsements as the "finest place for air (radio) shows." The theater broadcasted the talents of Jack Benny and Bob Hope, accommodating 5,000 Marines. Rupertus was also responsible for beginning The Chevron in Jan 1942. In one year, the paper grew from a four-page weekly of 8,000 copies to 20-page newspaper of 50,000 copies to Marines around the world.

A new swimming pool opened on Sept. 12, 1942. Fourteen platoons from the Recruit Depot opened the pool. Fifteen minutes was allotted to each platoon. This short-time schedule became necessary to classify the recruits into second-class swimmers or non-swimmers. In February 1943, a new 2,506 seat indoor theater opened, equipped with a radio studio that broadcast a weekly show, "Halls of Montezuma."

Demand for personnel was on the rise and the units came flooding in.

The first "all Indian" platoon in the history of the Marine Corps arrived May 5, 1942 at the processing center. These men were to be known as "code talkers," a group of 29 Marines who were part of a secret experiment to use the Navajo language for battlefield communication. Receiving close scrutiny during their seven-week training period, their drill instructors reported the Navajos were "far above the average in military adeptness."

The 1st Marine Depot Company, an all-black unit, that had trained at Montford Point, N.C. arrived on April 5, 1943. "The men put on a warm-up demonstration of close order drill that left observers gaping in admiration," reported The Chevron. They didn't stay long, April 16, the company boarded the destroyer USS Hunt and two days later sailed for Noumea, New Caledonia.

In May of that same year, the first women reserves made their appearance, replacing men at the Depot who were leaving for the battlefield. At wartime peak, the women reserve unit's strength was 661 enlisted and 19 officers. The reserve unit fulfilled its duties in mid-May of 1946 and ceased duty at the Depot. By 1944 the Marine Corps ranks numbered 390,000 men and women.

During mid 1944, a Marine rehab center was set up in the administration building to help veterans returning from the war who were physically or mentally disabled. By 1945, thousands of Marines began returning home. A reclassification and distribution center was set up near the wooden huts with ample space to handle 5,000 to 7,000 men at one time.

By the end of the war, operations on the base had evolved to meet the demands of handling thousands of Marines, both new recruits and war-weary veterans. Recruit training had grown from a small Depot on the base to the primary focus of the entire base. The base would never again function as it did in the 1920's and 1930's. The war had changed that forever. From WW II onward, the paramount mission of MCB San Diego was the training of recruits.

The primary function of the base as a recruit training center was officially recognized in 1948 when its designation was changed to Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. That same year, the Depot received seventeen Mark 4 tanks, better known as General Shermans, destined for the 11th Tank Battalion.

Nearly 300 tank reservists trained at the Depot until they were called to active duty in 1950 for the Korean War.

Jan. 1, 1948, was the official recognition of recruit training. The redesignation also meant the base was removed from the immediate jurisdiction of the 11th Naval District, and now came directly under the Commandant of the Marine Corps.

The names of other base units also changed: Camp Matthews Rifle Range Detachment became Weapons Training Battalion. Base Troops became Headquarters and Service Battalion, and Recruit Training Detachment was redesignated 1st Recruit Training Regiment, according to "The History of MCRD San Diego, 75th Anniversary."

In addition one of the more favored regulations of today were introduced Oct. 4, 1946, Brig. Gen. Leo D. Hermale, Commanding General of MCB, stating, "personnel of the MCB are permitted to wear civilian clothes while off duty outside the base effective yesterday at 1600."

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/2003912142415/$file/decade40_lr.jpg

New recruits in San Diego wait to get their gear in 1943.
Photo by: Official USMC photo


Sempers,

Roger
:marine: