George Cyrus Thorpe Colonel, United States Marine Corps

by

George Thorpe
Date of birth: 7 January 1875
Place of birth: Minnesota

George Thorpe was appointed a Naval Cadet at the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis in 1894 but resigned in November of 1896. At the outbreak of the Spanish-American War he applied for a commission with the Marine Corps and was appointed a Second Lieutenant.

After decades of service, in 1923 he was found physically hindered for further service due to the amputation of several toes from both feet, and was placed on the retired list as Colonel.

Among his accomplishments was publication of his book, “Pure Logistics: The Science of War Preparation.”

Awards and CitationsMarine Corps Brevet Medal Awarded for actions during the Philippine Insurrection.

The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in transmitting to First Lieutenant George Cyrus Thorpe, United States Marine Corps, the Brevet Medal which is awarded in accordance with Marine Corps Order No. 26 (1921), for distinguished conduct and public service in the presence of the enemy while serving with the Second Battalion of Marines, at Novaleta, Philippine Islands, on 8 October 1899. On 28 March 1901, First Lieutenant Thorpe is appointed Captain, by brevet, to rank from 8 October 1899.

Service: Marine Corps
Rank: First Lieutenant
Marine Corps Orders No. 26 (June 27, 1921)

COLONEL GEORGE C. THORPE, AUTHOR, IS DEAD AT 61

Retired Officer Served 24 Years In Marine Corps
Lawyer And Writer On Military Subjects

WASHINGTON, July 28, 1936 – Colonel George Cyrus Thorpe, United States Marine Corps, retired, died here today at the Naval Hospital.  He had been ill for more than a month.  His age was 61.

Colonel Thorpe served in the Marine Corps for about twenty-four years until retired in 1922 for physical disability.  After his retirement he practiced law here.  He was the author of several volumes on military and legal subjects.

Born in Northfield, Minnesota, Colonel Thorpe was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in 1898.  He attended New York University while serving in the Marine Corps and received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1910.  He was graduated from the Naval War College in 1915, received a Master of Arts degree from Brown University in 1916 and was graduated from the General Staff College in 1921.

Colonel Thorpe participated in the Spanish-American War, the Philippine Insurrection, a United States Expedition in 1903, commanded an expedition to Abyssinia to make a treaty with Menelik, was with the United States forces in Cuba from 1906 to 1908 and was commander of the Naval Prison at Portsmouth for three years.

He was Chief of Staff of the Second Marine Brigade in 1917-18.  After service at the Naval War College he commanded the Marine Barracks at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, for a time before his retirement.

Surviving are his widow, Mrs. Cora Wells Thorpe; two daughters, Mrs. Arthur J. Pack of Madrid and Miss Jane Wells Thorpe of this city; a son, George Wells Thorpe, this city, and a brother, Dr. Arthur G. Thorpe of Los Angeles.

The funeral will be held at 10:10 A.M. on Thursday in Arlington National Cemetery.

THORPE, GEORGE CYRUS

  • COL US MARINE CORPS RETIRED FL
  • DATE OF DEATH: 07/28/1936
  • BURIED AT: SECTION 6  SITE 9287
  • ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

THORPE, CORA EDNA WELLS W/O GEORGE CYRUS

  • DATE OF BIRTH: 08/05/1881
  • DATE OF DEATH: 08/09/1954
  • BURIED AT: SECTION 6  SITE 9287
  • ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

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