Albertus W. Catlin

Brigadier General Albertus Wright Catlin (December 1, 1868 – May 31, 1933) was a United States Marine Corps general. He also was a recipient of the Medal of Honor for his services during the Occupation of Veracruz in 1914.

Biography Early career Born December 1, 1868, in Gowanda, New York, Catlin was appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy from Minnesota in May 1886. He captained the football team at Annapolis and played left halfback for three years. After graduating with the Class of 1890, he served on board for required two years sea duty as a midshipman. In April 1893, Catlin was promoted to first lieutenant and transferred that December to Marine Barracks, League Island, Philadelphia Navy Yard, Pennsylvania. Returning to sea in August 1895, he reported to .

In June 1911, during salvaging operations of the Maine, Catlin's Mamaluke Sword was recovered "in a fair state of preservation," along with a penknife, from his quarters.

1899–1913 After serving in the Spanish–American War, he was ordered to the Marine Barracks at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, New York. In March 1899, he was promoted to captain and assigned to the Marine Barracks at Port Royal, South Carolina. In February 1902, Catlin received orders to the Marine Barracks at Cavite, Philippines. He was the first commanding officer of the Marine Barracks, Naval Station, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii, serving there from February to July 1904.

Catlin was then assigned to the Marine Barracks at Boston, Massachusetts, where he served the Post Quartermaster, and was later transferred to the Marine Barracks at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. Following that tour, in 1911, he returned to serve in Cuba where he commanded a battalion of the 1st Regiment, which formed at Guantanamo Bay on 8 March 1911. Beginning in the fall of 1911, Catlin served in succession on board , and .

Catlin graduated from the Army War College in May, one month after the American entry into World War I. Subsequently, he was placed in charge of the Marine overseas training camp at Quantico, Virginia.

In October 1917, Catlin was sent to France as commanding officer of the 6th Marine Regiment. The 6th Marines, together with the 5th Marine Regiment under Hiram I. Bearss, formed the 4th Marine Brigade, commanded by Charles A. Doyen, which itself formed part of the United States Army's 2nd Division of the American Expeditionary Forces.

From June 1–6, 1918, the 6th Marines saw action in the front lines from Paris-Metz Road through Lucy-le-Bocage to Hill 142. On June 6, with his regiment attacking Bois de Belleau, he was wounded in the chest by a sniper and evacuated to a hospital the next day.

Honors and awards In addition to the Medal of Honor, Catlin was awarded two Croix de Guerre, one with palms and one with gilt star for gallantry in action against the enemy at Belleau Wood. He was also made an Officer of the Legion of Honour for his services in the same sector.

On December 1, 2006, Rear Admiral Harry Harris Jr., Captain Mark Leary, and Marine Major George Nunez, unveiled a monument dedicating Quarters M101 on Guantanamo Bay to the memory of Catlin. From that day forward, the flag quarters at the Marine Site will be known as Catlin House.