Jacob Zeilin

Jacob Zeilin (July 16, 1806 – November 18, 1880) was an American military officer who served as the seventh Commandant of the United States Marine Corps from 1864 to 1876. He served in the United States Marine Corps for over 45 years including in the Mexican-American War, the Perry Expedition, and the American Civil War. He was a brigadier general and led the Marine Corps in the post-Civil War era during governmental defunding of the military. His efforts resulted in the Marines remaining a separate branch of the United States military.

Early life and education Zeilin was born in Philadelphia on July 16, 1806. He attended the United States Military Academy from 1822 to 1825, but dropped out due to poor grades in philosophy and chemistry.

Career Zeilin was commissioned in the Marine Corps as a second lieutenant on October 1, 1831.

Mexican–American War During the Mexican–American War, Zeilin commanded the Marine Detachment assigned to USS Congress, which was attached to Commodore Robert F. Stockton's force. He took part in the Conquest of California and fought in the conquest and occupation of Santa Barbara and San Pedro, as well as the Siege of Los Angeles and the Battle of La Mesa.

Interwar period After the war with Mexico, Zeilin proceeded to Norfolk, Virginia, where he served for a time, then to New York. He remained at New York until June 1852. He was selected to accompany Commodore Matthew C. Perry as Fleet Marine Officer in the Perry Expedition to Japan, serving with the Marine Detachment in . With elaborate ceremonies, the Marines under his command took a prominent part in the expedition. He was the second person to set foot on shore at the formal landing of the naval forces at Kurihama, Yokosuka, Japan on 14 July 1853, and was one of those later accorded special honor for his part in the expedition that opened the doors of Japan to the outside world.

Zeilin retired from the Marine Corps on November 1, 1876, after serving over forty-five years as a Marine Corps officer. Together they had one son, William Freeman Zeilin and two daughters, Margaret Freeman Very (wife of Edward Wilson Very) and Anne V. Stockton (wife of one of Senator John P. Stockton's sons).

General Zeilin was a member of the Pennsylvania Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States.

On 18 November 1880, he died in Washington, D.C.,

Legacy Two ships in the United States Navy have been named USS Zeilin in his honor: in 1920 and in 1942. He is the namesake for Zeilin Road, on Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia. He is the namesake for Zeilin Street, on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in California.