Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Charles
Laurie
McCawley
August 24, 1865

–

April 29, 1935

Cemetery:

Arlington National Cemetery

From 1881 to 1897, Charles McCawley worked as Chief Clerk in the office of the Commandant of the Marine Corps, during the last two years of which the Commandant was his own father, Colonel Charles G. McCawley, the 8th Commandant of the Marine Corps. On the day his father retired, he received a direct appointment in the Marine Corps with the rank of Captain, and subsequently served in Cuba during the Spanish-American war, earning the Brevet Medal. As a Brigadier General he served as the Quartermaster of the Marine Corps during World War I. In that position, he visited the front-line troops in the fall of 1918 to learn first-hand of the needs of the men in the field, earning the Navy Distinguished Service Medal. He retired as a Marine Corps Brigadier General in 1929 at the age of 64.

Awards Received

  • Marine Corps Brevet Medal

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Captain

    Batallion:

    1st Marine (Huntington’s) Battalion

    Action Date:

    June 11, 1898
    Marine Corps Orders No. 26 (June 27, 1921)

    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

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Brigadier General

    Division:

    Quartermaster’s Department

    Action Date:

    World War I
    Authority: Navy Book of Distinguished Service (Stringer)

    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.