Albertus Wright Catlin – Brigadier General, United States Marine Corps

Born at Gowanda, New York, December 1, 1868, he gradauted from the United States Naval Academy in 1890 and from the Army War College in May 1917. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant, United States Marine Corps, July 1, 1892, and was promoted through the grades to Brigadier General, retired, on December 10, 1919.

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United States Naval Academy Photo

He commanded the Marine Corps guard, USS Maine, when it was destroyed in Havana Harbor, 1898 (which started the Spanish-American War); commanded Marines aboard the USS St Louis during the war which followed; commanded the first Marines to land on Cuba, 1906. Served there until 1909.

Commanded Marines in the fleet which landed at Vera Cruz, Mexico, April 21-22, 1914; commanded the 6th Marines, 4th Brigade, 2nd Division, American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) in France in World War I, 1917-18; wounded in action at Belleau Wood, June 6, 1918; assigned as commander of 1st Brigade of Marines, Haiti, November 1918. Awarded the Medal of Honor for “distinguished conduct” at Vera Cruz, April 22, 1914; also received the Croix de Guerre with Palm and the Legion of Honor (France) for service at Chateau Thierry, June 1918.

He died in Washington, D.C. on May 31, 1933 and was buried in Section 7 of Arlington National Cemetery. His wife, Martha Ellen Catlin (1880-1937) is buried with him.

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CATLIN, ALBERTUS WRIGHT

Rank and organization: Major, U.S. Marine Corps. Born: 1 December 1868, Gowanda, N.Y. Appointed from: Minnesota. G.O. No.: 177, 4 December 1915.

Citation:

For distinguished conduct in battle, engagement of Vera Cruz, 22 April 1914.
Eminent and conspicuous in command of his battalion, Major Catlin exhibited courage and skill in leading his men through the action of the 22d and in the final occupation of the city.

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USMC Photo

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CATLIN, ALBERTUS W
BRIG GEN US MARINE CORPS RETD
DATE OF DEATH: 05/31/1933
BURIED AT: SECTION 7  SITE 10038
ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

CATLIN, MARTHA ELLEN WIDOW OF ALBERTUS
DATE OF DEATH: 07/30/1937
BURIED AT: SECTION 7  SITE 10038
ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

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