Charles A. Doyen – Brigadier General, United States Marine Corps

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A distinguished United States Marine, Charles A. Doyen had been commissioned in 1883. He was a veteran of the Philippine Insurrection, where he commanded a battalion, a regiment, and finally a brigade of U.S. Marines. He brought his regiment, the 5th Marines, to France and was promoted to Brigadier General in October 1917, and took command of the 4th Brigade of Marines in the Army’s 2nd Division. Ill health forced his return to the United States, where he died while in command of the Marine Corps Barracks at Quantico, Virginia, in October 1918.

He was born in New Hampshire. He received the Distinguished Service Medal posthumously for services rendered as commander of the 5th Regiment of Marines from the time of its organization in the United States and throughout its training in France until the arrival there of the 6th Regiment of Marines. He was then placed in command of the 4th Marine Brigade, consisting of the 5th and 6th Regiments and the 6th Machine Gun Battalion. He brought this brigade to a very high state of efficiency, enabling it to successfully resist the German Army and achieve victory in the Chateau-Thierry sector and Belleau Wood. Streneous duties undermined his health and necessitated his being invalided to the United States before he had the opportunity to command the brigade in action.

He is buried in Section 5 of Arlington National Cemetery. His wife, Claude Fay Doyen (November 11, 1871-December 22, 1943) is buried with him.

NOTE: Also see file on James N. Sutton, Jr., Second Lieutenant, United States Marine Corps.

BRIGADIER GENERAL C. A. DOYEN DIES OF INFLUENZA

WASHINGTON, October 7, 1918 – Brigadier General Charles A. Doyen, who commanded the first regiment of the Marine Corps to go to France with the American Expeditionary Forces, died at the Marine Training Station at Quantico, Virginia, last night of influenza.

General Doyen remained in France nearly a year and then, owing to ill-health, was transferred to this country and made commandant of the training station at Quantico.

General Doyen was 59 years old and a native of New Hampshire.  He had seen 35 years’ service in the Marine Corps.  He was graduated from the Naval Academy in 1881.  Doyen served with the Marines in the Philippines, Cuba and Santo Domingo.

GENERAL CHARLES A. DOYEN PASSES AT QUANTICO

WASHINGTON, October 7, 1918 – Brigadier General Charles A. Doyen, who accompanied the first regiment  of the Marine Corps to go to France with the American Expeditionary Forces, died at the Marine Corps Training Station at Quantico, Virginia, last night of influenza.  He will be buried with full military honors, but arrangements for the funeral have not been announced.

General Doyen remained in France nearly a year, being promoted to the rank of Brigadier General and to the command of the First Marine Brigade of the Second Division.  The strain of his duties brought on ill-health and, to evade a physical breakdown, he was transferred back to this country.  He was made commandant of the Training Station at Quantico.

General Doyen was 59 years old and a native of New Hampshire.  He had spent 35 years in the Marine Corps and had served in the Philippines, Cuba and Santo Domingo.

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DOYEN, CHARLES A

  • BRIG GEN USMC
  • VETERAN SERVICE DATES: Unknown
  • DATE OF DEATH: 10/06/1918
  • DATE OF INTERMENT: Unknown
  • BURIED AT: SECTION 5
  • ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

DOYEN, CLAUDE FAY W/O CHARLES A

  • DATE OF DEATH: 12/27/1943
  • DATE OF INTERMENT: 12/30/1943
  • BURIED AT: SECTION 5  SITE 7030
  • ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY
  • WIFE OF CA DOYEN – BRIG GEN USMC

cadoyencharles-doyen-section5-042404

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