Clifton B. Cates

From Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core
Jump to: navigation, search
Clifton Bledsoe Cates
Clifton B. Cates.jpg
19th Commandant of the Marine Corps (1948–1951)
Nickname(s) Lucky Cates[1]
Born (1893-08-31)August 31, 1893
Tiptonville, Tennessee, U.S.[2]
Died Script error: The function "death_date_and_age" does not exist.
Annapolis, Maryland, U.S.
Buried
Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance  United States of America
Service/branch  United States Marine Corps
Years of service 1917–1954
Rank US-O10 insignia.svg General
Commands held 1st Marine Regiment
4th Marine Division
Commandant of the Marine Corps
Battles/wars World War I

World War II
Awards Navy Cross
Distinguished Service Cross
Navy Distinguished Service Medal (2)
Silver Star (2)
Legion of Merit
Purple Heart
Legion of Honor (France)
Croix de Guerre (France)
Spouse(s) Jane Virginia McIlhenny[1]
Other work chairman of the National Campaign of the USO

General Clifton Bledsoe Cates (August 31, 1893 – June 4, 1970), USMC, was the 19th Commandant of the United States Marine Corps (served January 1, 1948 – December 31, 1951) . He was honored for his heroism during World War I at Belleau Wood and in World War II for inspired combat leadership at Iwo Jima. He is considered one of the most distinguished young officers of the first world War.[3] He was one of the few officers from any branch of service to have commanded a platoon, a company, a battalion, a regiment, and a division each in combat.[4][5][6][7]

Early life

Born to a cotton growing family, after graduating from high school at Missouri Military Academy in 1910 and the University of Tennessee with a Bachelor of Law degree in 1916, and was admitted to the Tennessee Bar.[1]

Military career

With the entry of the US into the Great War, Cates sought to join up. He was commissioned as second lieutenant in the Marine Corps Reserves. He began active duty on June 13, 1917.[1]

World War I

During World War I, Cates served with the 6th Marine Regiment, fighting in France. For his heroism in the Aisne defensive at Boursches and Belleau Wood, he was awarded the Navy Cross, the Distinguished Service Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster[8] - one of only 9 Marines to receive 2 in WWI[9] - in addition to the Purple Heart. He was awarded a Silver Star for his gallantry at Soissons. In addition to his medals from the U.S. military, he was recognized by the French government with the Legion of Honor, one of the greatest compliments that could be paid any officer,[3] and the Croix de Guerre with Gilt Star and two palms. Lt. Cates and his men were credited with saving Bouresches.[3]

Post-war service

Cates returned to the United States in September 1919 after occupation in Germany, and was prepared to resign his commission until dissuaded by Commandant Barnett who took him on as his Aide-de-Camp and he served as a White House aide.[1] In 1920, he stayed as Gen. Barnett's aide and followed him to San Francisco, California.[1] From 1923 to 1925, he served a tour of sea duty as commander of the Marine Detachment aboard the USS California (BB-44).[2]

In 1929, Cates was deployed to Shanghai, China, where he rejoined the 4th Marines, where he served for three years. He then returned to the U.S. for training at the Army Industrial College and in the Senior Course in the Marine Corps Schools. In 1935, was assigned to the War Plans Section of the Division of Operations and Training at Headquarters Marine Corps (HQMC). In 1936, he returned to Shanghai as a battalion commander with the 6th Marine Regiment. In 1938, he rejoined the 4th Marines in Shanghai.[10]

In 1940, and he was named the Director of the Marine Officers Basic School at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. In 1942, Col Cates took command of the 1st Marines.[10]

World War II

Colonel Cates led the 1st Marine Regiment at Guadalcanal, for which he was awarded the Legion of Merit with Combat “V". He then took command of the 4th Marine Division in the Marianas operation, the Tinian campaign and the seizure of Iwo Jima. For his services at Tinian he received the Navy Distinguished Service Medal and a Gold Star in lieu of a second Distinguished Service Medal for his service at Iwo Jima. The planning for Tinian included the first complete aerial reconnaissance of an enemy base by the key commanders, including Gen. Cates.[11] Near the end of the fighting at Iwo Jima Gen. Cates attempted to persuade the remaining Japanese Brigade to surrender honorably rather than fight to the death.[12]

After his first tour of duty in the Pacific, returned to the United States to serve as Commandant of the Marine Corps Schools at Quantico until 1944. He then returned to the Pacific theater until the end of the war as commander of the 4th Marine Division.[10]

Commandant

On January 1, 1948, he was sworn in as the 19th Commandant of the Marine Corps and promoted to the rank of General for his time as Commandant. He served as Commandant for four years, 1948–1951 and fought the budgetary erosion of the Fleet Marine Force.[1] As Commandant, Gen Cates continued the push to enlarge the Corps standing forces, eventually getting legislation placing the Corps active strength at three divisions and three air wings, and he brought the first helicopters into service on a test basis of the "new concept"[1] in the Korean War[4] - The usage of which would make an impression on the Commander of the FMF, Pacific - his eventual successor as commandant Gen. Shepherd. Shepherd and Cates would revive the amphibious assault at Inchon.[1]

Upon completion of his tour as Commandant of the Marine Corps he was reverted to his then permanent rank of Lieutenant General and was reassigned to serve again as Commandant of the Marine Corps Schools. He retired on June 30, 1954 and was eventually promoted on the retired list to the rank of full General.[2] After retirement he was chairman of the National Campaign of the USO for two years.[1]

Death

General Cates died 4 June 1970 at the U.S. Naval Hospital, Annapolis, Maryland, after a long illness. He was buried with full military honors on 8 June 1970 at Arlington National Cemetery.[2][4]

General Cates also held doctoral law degrees from the University of Tennessee and the University of Chattanooga.[4]

Cates Award

Cates' high school alma mater, the Missouri Military Academy in Mexico, Mo., honored his memory with the creation of the "General Clifton B. Cates 'I Will Hold' Award for Leadership" during the Academy's 125th anniversary celebration in 2014. The award specifically recognizes the leadership traits of perseverance and determination.

Awards and decorations

Cates was the recipient of the following awards:[4][7][9][13]

Fourragère CG.png
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Gold star
Bronze oak leaf cluster
V
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Gold star
1st Row Navy Cross French Fourragère
2nd Row Distinguished Service Cross w/ 1 oak leaf cluster[8] Navy Distinguished Service Medal w/ 1 star Silver Star w/ 1 oak leaf cluster Legion of Merit w/ valor device
3rd Row Purple Heart w/ 1 oak leaf cluster Navy Presidential Unit Citation w/ 3 stars Navy Unit Commendation[14][15] World War I Victory Medal w/ 3 Silver Navy Commendation Stars & 5 campaign stars
4th Row Army of Occupation of Germany Medal Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal Yangtze Service Medal China Service Medal
5th Row American Defense Service Medal American Campaign Medal Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with four Bronze Stars World War II Victory Medal
6th Row National Defense Service Medal Croix de Guerre w/ Gilt Star & 2 palms Legion of Honor, Knight grade[3] Order of Orange-Nassau, rank of Grand Officer w/ crossed swords

Date of Rank

Rank Date[10][16]
US-O1 insignia.svg Second Lieutenant May 24, 1917 (Provisional/Reserves)
Sep, 18, 1917 (Temporary)
US-O2 insignia.svg First Lieutenant July 1, 1918 (Temporary)
Aug, 28, 1918 (authorized-Temporary)
US-O3 insignia.svg Captain Mar, 5, 1919-Sep, 25, 1919 (temporary)
Mar, 21, 1921 (appointed-Temporary)
Apr, 2, 1921 (permanent)
Jun, 4, 1920 (official, retroactive, date of rank)
US-O4 insignia.svg Major Oct, 1, 1931
US-O5 insignia.svg Lieutenant Colonel July 1, 1935
authorized on July 26, 1935
US-O6 insignia.svg Colonel Apr, 1, 1940
US-O7 insignia.svg Brigadier General Sep, 16, 1942 (temporary)
Apr, 3, 1943 (permanent)
US-O8 insignia.svg Major General Feb, 1, 1944
authorized on June 23, 1944
US-O9 insignia.svg Lieutenant General Jan, 1, 1952
US-O10 insignia.svg General While serving as Commandant (until Dec 31, 1951)
Dec, 31, 1947 (appointed)
Jan 28, 1948 (commission)
Jun 30, 1954 (on retired list)

Significant Assignments

[1][4][10]

Unit or Assignment Dates
96th Co (H&SC), 2/6 28 Aug 1917-1 May 1919
Co. "E", Composite Regiment 1 May 1919-19 Sep 1919
Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C. 20 Sep 1919-14 Feb 1920
Aide-de-camp to Commandant Barnett, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps & to President Wilson's White House 14 Feb 1920-8 Oct 1920
Aide-de-camp to Gen. Barnett, Commanding General of Department of the Pacific, San Francisco, CA 15 Nov 1920-10 June 1923
Commander, Marine Detachment, USS California (BB-44) 10 June 1923-29 Apr 1925
4th Marines 9 May 1925 – 26 May 1926
Recruiting Station, Spokane, WA 1 July 1926 – 1 May 1927
Recruiting Station, Omaha, NE 6 May 1927-23 Feb 1928
American Battle Monuments Commission, Washington, D.C. 6 Mar 1928-3 May 1929
4th Marines, Shanghai, China 5 Aug 1929-6 Jun 1932
inc. athletic officer, 4th Marines 6 Sep 1929-6 Jun 1932
attending Army Industrial College 17 Aug 1932-23 Jun 1933
CO 2d Bn, 7th Marines, FMF, serving off Cuba[17] and the Caribbean 1933/1934
attending Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, VA 10 Sep 1934-26 Jul 1935
War Plans, Operations, and Training, Headquarters, Marine Corps 30 Sep 1935-24 May 1937
2/5, 2d Brigade, FMF 30 Jun 1937-1 Feb 1938
(CO from Sep)
CO, 2/4 1 Feb 1938-18 May 1939
XO, 4th Marines 18 May 1939 – 6 June 1939
attending Army War College, Washington, D.C. 1 Sep 1939-22 June 1940
Director, Marine Officers Basic School, Navy Yard, Philadelphia, PA 6 July 1940-23 Apr 1942
on Maneuvers with Amphibious Force, Atlantic Fleet 5 Jan-16 Jan 1942
CO, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division 3 May 1942-11 Feb 1943
Commandant, Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, VA March 1943-20 Jun 1944
Command of 4th Marine Division 12 Jul 1944-19 Nov 1945
President, Marine Corps Equipment Board, Quantico, VA[2] 14 Jan 1946-?
Commanding General, Marine Barracks, Quantico 1 Jun 1946-1 Jan 1948
Senior Member of Board, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Washington, D.C. 24 Jun 1946-?
President, Advisory Board, Marine Barracks, Quantico, VA 24 Jan 1947-
Commandant of the Marine Corps 31 Dec 1947-31 Dec 1951
Commandant, Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, VA 31 Dec 1951-30 Jun 1954
President, JLFB ?-30 Jun 1952

See also

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps.

  1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  17. ↑ Lineage of the 7th Marine Regiment

External links

Military offices
Preceded by Commanding General of the 4th Marine Division
12 July 1944– 28 November 1945		 Succeeded by
Deactivated
Preceded by Commandant of the United States Marine Corps
1948–1951		 Succeeded by
Gen. Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr.
Retrieved from "https://infogalactic.com/w/index.php?title=Clifton_B._Cates&oldid=2818874"