Charles L. McCawley
Encyclopedia
Charles Laurie McCawley (August 24, 1865–April 29, 1935) was an American
officer who served in the United States Marine Corps
during the Spanish-American War
and World War I
. He who was one of 23 Marine Corps officers awarded the Marine Corps Brevet Medal
for bravery.
to Charles G. McCawley who became the 8th Commandant of the Marine Corps
.
He married Sarah Helen Frelinghuysen Davis July 24, 1906 at Washington, D.C.
McCawley assumed the duties as the Commandant in 1895 and the younger McCawley remained on as the Chief Clerk for two years while his father was Commandant.
On the day his father retired from Marine Corps service Charles L. McCawley was appointed a direct commission in the Marine Corps as a Captain. After accepting his appointment he went on to serve in Cuba, the Spanish-American War and World War I.
He died April 29, 1935 at his home in Washington, D.C., and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery
May 1, 1935. His grave can be found in the south section, site 3888. His wife Sarah was buried beside him when she died.
He retired from the Marine Corps August 24, 1929, at the age of 64.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
officer who served in the United States Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
during the Spanish-American War
Spanish-American War
The Spanish–American War was a conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States, effectively the result of American intervention in the ongoing Cuban War of Independence...
and World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. He who was one of 23 Marine Corps officers awarded the Marine Corps Brevet Medal
Marine Corps Brevet Medal
The Marine Corps Brevet Medal, also known as the Brevet Medal, was a military decoration of the United States Marine Corps; it was created in 1921 as a result of Marine Corps Order Number 26. The decoration was a one-time issuance and retroactively recognized living Marine Corps officers who had...
for bravery.
Early life and marriage
McCawley was born August 24, 1865 in MassachusettsMassachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
to Charles G. McCawley who became the 8th Commandant of the Marine Corps
Commandant of the Marine Corps
The Commandant of the Marine Corps is normally the highest ranking officer in the United States Marine Corps and is a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff...
.
He married Sarah Helen Frelinghuysen Davis July 24, 1906 at Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
Military career
McCawley worked in the Commandant of the Marine Corps office as Chief Clerk from 1881 to 1897. His father ColonelColonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
McCawley assumed the duties as the Commandant in 1895 and the younger McCawley remained on as the Chief Clerk for two years while his father was Commandant.
On the day his father retired from Marine Corps service Charles L. McCawley was appointed a direct commission in the Marine Corps as a Captain. After accepting his appointment he went on to serve in Cuba, the Spanish-American War and World War I.
He died April 29, 1935 at his home in Washington, D.C., and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia, is a military cemetery in the United States of America, established during the American Civil War on the grounds of Arlington House, formerly the estate of the family of Confederate general Robert E. Lee's wife Mary Anna Lee, a great...
May 1, 1935. His grave can be found in the south section, site 3888. His wife Sarah was buried beside him when she died.
He retired from the Marine Corps August 24, 1929, at the age of 64.
Presidential citation
Citation:- The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Marine Corps Brevet Medal to Charles Laurie McCawley, Captain, U.S. Marine Corps, for distinguished conduct and public service in the presence of the enemy at Guantanamo, Cuba, 11 June 1898. On 18 March 1901, appointed Major by brevet.
Secretary of the Navy citation
Citation- The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in transmitting to Captain Charles Laurie McCawley, 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 as Quartermaster, First Marine (Huntington's) Battalion, at Guantanamo, Cuba, on 11 June 1898. On 18 March 1901, Captain McCawley is appointed Major, by brevet, to take rank from 11 June 1898.
Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Citation:- The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Brigadier General Charles Laurie McCawley, United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious service in a duty of great responsibility in the organization and administration of the Quartermaster's Department of the Marine Corps during World War I. Through his energy and efficient management this Department was able successfully to meet the various emergencies and difficulties connected with the transportation, subsistence, housing and clothing of the personnel of the Marine Corps throughout the period of the war.