Ben Hebard Fuller

Ben Hebard Fuller (February 27, 1870 – June 8, 1937) was a major general in the United States Marine Corps and served as the 15th Commandant of the Marine Corps between 1930 and 1934.

Biography Born in Big Rapids, Michigan, Fuller was a member of the United States Naval Academy class of 1889. After serving two years of service as a naval cadet, a requirement at the time before commissioning, he was appointed a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps on July 1, 1891. He, with six other members of his class, attended the first course for new Marine officers at the School of Application, which was the prototype for today's Basic School. Together, they had two children.

Captain Fuller participated in the Second Battle of Noveleta, Philippine Islands on October 8, 1899, and was commended for gallant, meritorious, and courageous conduct in the Battle of Tientsin, China on July 13, 1900.

Following the death of the Commandant, Major General Wendell C. Neville on July 9, 1930, Brigadier General Fuller was promoted to major general and appointed Commandant of the Marine Corps. He served in that capacity until March 1, 1934, when he was retired from active service, having attained the statutory retirement age of sixty-four years.

Promotion history Second Lieutenant, July 1, 1891 First Lieutenant, March 16, 1893 Captain, March 3, 1899 Major, December 27, 1903 Lieutenant colonel, February 3, 1911 Colonel, August 29, 1916 Brigadier General (temporary), July 1, 1918 Brigadier General, February 8, 1924 Major General August 7, 1930 Commandant of the Marine Corps, August 7, 1930

Medals and decoration Fuller held the following medals and decorations:

China Relief Expedition MedalMarine Corps Expeditionary Medal w/ 2 starsSpanish Campaign MedalPhilippine Campaign MedalSecond Nicaraguan Campaign MedalWorld War I Victory MedalMedal of Military Merit of Santo DomingoPresidential Medal of Merit of Nicaragua

Namesake The United States Navy transport ship was named in his honor.

The road running from the main gate of Marine Corps Base Quantico to the town of Quantico, Virginia is named Fuller Road.

An enlisted housing facility at the Naval Support Activity Annapolis is named Fuller Hall.