Legends and Lore in the Corps: Don't let the truth get in they way of a good story

 I've spent decades debunking myths, tracking down the origins of stories and verifying some tall tales that the Corps is known for.  Tonight, while scrolling through my Twitter feed, I stumbled into one about Steve McQueen, and Lee Marvin.  I thought it might be worthwhile to run my lips a little on the topic of legends and lore in the Corps.

When I was a historian with the Corps, I never actively debunked the myths.  If asked directly, I always gave the straight scoop.  Some were straight up lies, others had nuggets of truth, and some were no-kidding-straight facts.  When time allowed, I did what I did best, researched the rumors, myths and tall tales to try to sort fact from fiction.  I believed that even though they may not be true, the lore served a purpose; it was a way to bring Marines together.  

Smedley Butler, yeah, good ole Gimlet Eye himself.  I would have loved to have had the chance to meet him.  Everything I've read about the man, what he wrote, and what others have written about him, he sounds like a frickin' hoot. 

I recall the rumor that Butler had a tattoo of the Eagle, Globe and Anchor on his chest because he so loved the Marine Corps.  I'd seen this in many places, even in supposedly in his own words.  But the historian in me required documentary evidence.  A source that would dispel or prove the assertion for one and for all. What's more definitive than a Marine's official military personnel file (OMPF)?  Well, even this isn't concrete.

From BGen Butler's OMPF indicating "Marine Corps device tattoo"

 

As you can see, from his OMPF as a Brigadier, the "Marine Corps device tattoo" is recorded.  This seems to end the debate, Butler had the tattoo!  BUT...a few pages later, as a Major General, the tattoo is recorded differently.

 

From MajGen Butler's OMPF indicating "Tattoo American Eagle"

So, even the documentary evidence isn't enough to clear it up.  Either way, though, Butler had a tattoo on his chest and I'll believe that it is the Marine Corps emblem.  It adds to the mystic that is Smedley, it adds to his legend.  Further, for those Marines today who are hassled about tattoos, it gives them someone that is held in very high regard to point to in order to say, "Let's look at this policy a bit more."  These same Marines can also point to THE LEGEND, the Marine of all Marines--Lejeune--as well.  Yes folks, Lejeune was tattooed as well!

So let's circle back to Lee Marvin for a moment. 

Lee Marvin Headstone

You cannot argue that Lee Marvin exuded machismo; women wanted him and men wanted to be him--or so I've heard.  Lee Marvin was a Marine and WWII veteran.  The rumor long persisted that Lee Marvin told Johnny Carson that he'd been on Iwo Jima with Bob Keeshan ("Capt Kangaroo") and that he'd (Marvin) had been awarded the Navy Cross for bravery on the sulfur island.  Again, documentary evidence was required.  

Do a search online, can you find a Navy Cross citation for Lee Marvin? Not a transcription or anything, but a real copy of the citation? No.  The absence of evidence isn't evidence, but it can be used when combined with other evidence.  It is acknowledged that Marvin was wounded on Saipan in June 1944.  This can be easily verified by his casualty card (see below).

The card indicates he was ordered discharged on 12 July 1945.  While this isn't proof he wasn't on Iwo, it helps build the case.  If he were so wounded in June 1944 that he was ordered discharged in July 1945, it is unlikely he was on Iwo.  What about the muster rolls?

In January 1945, just one month before Iwo, Marvin is at the Transient Center in Hawaii, listed as "sk"--sick and foonote T is listed.  Footnote entry reads:

He's being transferred to the Depot of the Pacific in San Francisco in January.  He's not headed to Iwo Jima.  Strike three.  No, Lee Marvin did not fight on Iwo Jima and was not awarded the Navy Cross.  However, he did serve honorably, was wounded in action, and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

Had he been on Iwo and awarded the Navy Cross, would it change our impression of him? Not me.  He was a badass Marine, and a helluva an actor in my book.  Wouldn't change a thing! Oh, and Bob Keeshan? Yah, he was a Marine too!  But, he never left the US.  

Lastly, let's talk about Steve McQueen (or as he served under his full name Terrance S. McQueen).   There is a great story about him stealing an amtrac at Camp Pendleton, and then another story of him saving lives of Marines while on an exercise.  Like Lee Marvin, McQueen played some serious badass dudes on the screen, and it's not hard to think that maybe he was badass enough to steal an amtrac or save lives of his fellow Marines.

McQueen's OMPF was released and alas, the tale of joyriding in the amtrac is false.  

However, McQueen did participate in the cold weather exercise off the coast of Labrador.  He recounts the tale of saving the lives of his fellow Marines in a several articles.  One from 1960:

McQueen, and other Marines, did save the lives of their fellow Marines from the capsized amtrac in icy waters.  Pretty badass if you ask me.  

There are many other legends and tall tales that rear their heads now and again.  When the story seems too fantastic, or causes you to pause, do some homework.  Ask for proof, or dig it up yourself.  One of the best lessons I have learned in all my education, in all my years of 'on the job training' was to have a critical eye for things that just don't sound right.  Sometimes the tale doesn't pass the sniff test, and then sometimes you're surprised to find out it's true.   

If you think it sounds too good to be true, it might be.  If you think "really?" then dig into it.  Find those who know their stuff, read reliable sources, and find out for yourself.  

While I didn't actively seek to tell Marines that some of the tales they were told in boot camp were bunk, if they asked, I gave it to them straight.  I was often told that when I did tell them the stories that it was like kicking puppies.  On more than one occasion I heard, "You mean my DI lied to me?"  I would reply, "No.  It's not a lie if they didn't know the truth themselves."  On my very long list of "books to write before I die" is the "Enlisted Marine's History of the Corps" wherein enlisted Marines (and recruits, especially recruits) can read the unvarnished, real history of the Corps--where they will find "just the facts" and know that the history presented is not sugar coated, honest, and backed up by solid research.  One day.

 

 

Always Women's History Month [Updated]

Lately, the Marines that have been finding me have come through from others who stumble upon them. No matter how they come to me, they are worthy of being remembered, they are making themselves known, and it is my job to tell their story.  Last month was Women's History Month, and because I was in the midst of moving, I didn't get the chance to tell you about this Marine that friend (and Marine) TG told me about. No matter, every month is a perfect month to talk about history.

Courtesy of TG Heck

 

Lillian K. Christi was born on 14 May 1924 in Massachusetts, to Peter and Victoria Christi. She was born the same year as my grandfather, and like my grandfather (WWII veteran) she wanted to do her part in the war effort. But for her, it was the Korean War. Lillian enlisted in the Marine Corps at Boston on 28 January 1951. She joined the 3rd Recruit Training Battalion at Parris Island to train to be a Marine.

Extract from Muster Roll for January 1951, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion

On 16 April 1951, 70 years ago tomorrow, she was promoted to Private First Class and transferred to Service Battalion Camp Pendleton. Her MOS was listed as 0173 (staff office clerk). Lillian was promoted to Corporal on 4 December 1952, and just the next month she was promoted to Sergeant and six moths later she was promoted to Staff Sergeant. SSgt Christi's time in the Corps was short and seemingly uneventful; however, not everyone serves until retirement and leaves with a chestful of medals. Many more serve their time, do their duty and do it honorably. Such is the case of SSgt Christi. 

Her enlistment ended with an honorable discharge as SSgt on 24 January 1954. Her time in California made an impact, she lived there with her sister for many years before returning to the east coast. Staff Sergeant Christi lived a long life, passing away on 24 July 2012 at the age of 88. She did her part for our nation at a tough time, and for that we remember her. 

Thank you TG for introducing Staff Sergeant Christi to me so we could honor her service and bring her back to life once again. Staff Sergeant Christi, I know you would be so proud of your fellow ladies wearing the eagle, globe and anchor; they have done some wonderful things all the while struggling to deal with many of their fellow Marines who don't think they are "true Marines." Thank you, Staff Sergeant Christi, you are remembered!

19 April 2021

My daily walks take me by the cemetery in Manassas.  Today, I decided to walk through the rows.  It's quieter than the main drag and less cars. Sometimes I feel like I'm being called to walk the rows.  Today I wasn't the only one in the cemetery, so when I ran across the Marine, I didn't take a photo.  I didn't want to be rude to the person paying their respects nearby.  However, Corporal Cilley, wanted to be known.

Barbara Janet Cilley was born in Haverhill, Massachusetts.  The fact that she was born in the same state as Staff Sergeant Christi isn't the only similarity.  

Extract Eastern Procurement Division, October 1943

She enlisted on 20 October 1943 at Boston and then went to school at Camp Lejeune in January 1944.  By April she was assigned to Headquarters Marine Corps's Personnel Department and a Private First Class.  She was given the MOS of 055 (Clerk, General), which isn't surprising as many women filled admin billets such as these during World War II.  

I wonder if she celebrated the nation's birthday on 4 July 1944 or her promotion to Corporal? Both possibly.  I like to think so.  She stayed in until sometime after October 1945.  

She has a short memorial on Findagrave.  She sounds like the sweetest woman.  Cpl Cilley died in Florida on 18 June 2000. Like SSgt Christi, it appears she never married, but served in many capacities in her life.  Again, another woman who served without valor, but honorably and proudly enough to be remembered as a Marine in the afterlife.

Cpl Cilley, your service to our country is remembered once again.  Thank you.

Forever a Private?

With the move completed, I can finally get back to research.  I'll forever have a soft spot for Marines of World War I, so when a Marine from today gave me the name of Charles Wolfhagel to me, I had to look into his service.  

Unlike today, many enlisted ranks were based on their billet and location.  Recruiting duty was one such type billet, where you could be a gunnery sergeant in city A, but if you wanted to transfer to city B and it only had Private billets, you could be reduced to private to transfer to the city.  Fred Stockham did this to stay in St Louis before World War I, and as we will see, so too did Wolfhagel.

Charles Wolfhagel, born in Paterson, New Jersey, on 15 June 1881.  He was still a teenager when his mother died, and his father died seven years later.  For a while he worked for his brother-in-law.  On 13 March 1905, Wolfhagel enlisted in the Marine Corps at Marine Barracks Brooklyn.  After a few months, he was transferred to Marine Barracks Narraganset Bay, Rhode Island, where he took up duty as the naval district commandant's orderly.

In June 1907, he transferred to the USS Virginia (BB-13) and spent the next two years on ships as part of the Marine detachments for the Virginia, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.  By March 1909, he was stationed at Marine Barracks Portsmouth (NH), where he ended his first enlistment as a Private.

Two years passed before Wolfhagel reenlisted.  On 9 March 1911, he reenlisted at Syracuse, New York, and was assigned duty as a recruiter in the city, then in Buffalo, and later Erie, Pennsylvania.  In October 1911, while in Buffalo, he was promoted to Corporal (recruiting warrant), and the following February he was promoted to Sergeant (RW).  As his promotion warrant was temporary, he was reduced to Private in March 1912, but the next month he was again a Corporal (RW).  In April 1912, he earned back his Sergeants stripes (RW), but August 1913 arrived and he was reduced to Private again, in order to transfer back to recruiting duty in Syracuse.

Wolfhagel transferred to Marine Barracks Washington Navy Yard in October 1913 and in the following April he joined the 46th Company which boarded the USS New York (BB-34), and all participated in the operations at Vera Cruz.  The company returned to the US and Wolfhagel joined the USS Washington (ACR-11) as part of its Marine detachment.  This too was short-lived, as he transferred to Marine Barracks Portsmouth (NH) once again, and discharged on 16 March 1915, as a Private.

At some point, Wolfhagel returned to Buffalo, where he reenlisted on 9 June 1915, and transferred to the 20th Company en route to Haiti.  While his service to this point had been classified as "excellent" and there were no reductions in rank due to poor performance, Wolfhagel was not immune to the whims of many Marines.  On 27 November 1915, while in Haiti, he went over leave.  What he didn't know until he returned on 1 December was that his promotion to Corporal had come through.  He was court-martialed and found guilty, but allowed to retain his rank on probation.

Extract of muster roll

  

 

Wolfhagel remained in Haiti, with periods of temporary duty in Cuba, until the United States entered the First World War.  On 25 January 1918, he received promotion to Sergeant (temporary warrant), and it became permanent in May.  In May, the 20th Company returned to the US and joined the 5th Regiment at Quantico, until it boarded the USS Henderson bound for France in June 1917.

On 1 August 1917, he was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant (TW), which he retained through the remainder of his service.  As part of the 5th Regiment, Wolfhagel participated in the Battle of Belleau Wood, where he was wounded and cited for bravery with the Silver Star citation (today's Silver Star Medal).  In July, the regiment once again was in battle, this time at Soissons.

As things quieted a bit in August, the Haitian Campaign Medal was delivered to Wolfhagel and others of the regiment who had served in Hispanola.  At the same time, he received the citation for bravery at Belleau Wood.

Blanc Mont isn't as well known a battle for Marines as Belleau Wood; however, the numbers of casualties exceeds the June battle.  The ferocity of the battle is often overlooked, but thankfully well covered by Pete Owen and John Swift in "A Hideous Price."    Wolfhagel suffered wounds during this battle, and lingered in the hospital until 14 November 1918 when he succumbed to them.

Today, Gunnery Sergeant Charles Wolfhagel rests peacefully at St. Mihiel American Cemetery.   I found Gunny Wolfhagel intriguing mostly because we had been in many of the same locations in our respective lifetimes.  As a native of Upstate NY (and one-time resident of Syracuse), and a historian serving at Quantico, we'd covered some of the same ground.  I even had the chance to walk the battlefields of Belleau Wood, and Blanc Mont.  One cannot walk the hallowed ground in France and not feel as if the ghosts of the past are walking with you; I know I certainly had the hairs go up on the back of my neck when in the wood and when overlooking Somme-py.

Thanks to TG Heck for bringing Wolfhagel to my attention with this fantastic photo from a memorial honoring World War I veterans in Ridgewood, New Jersey. 

Photo courtesy of TG Heck

Gunnery Sergeant Wolfhagel, thank you for your service.  You are remembered.