Charles McCawley

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Charles McCawley
January 29, 1827 – October 13, 1891
8th Commandant of the Marine Corps (1875-1891)
Place of birth	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Place of death	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Allegiance	USMC
Years of service	1847-1891
Rank	Colonel
Commands	Commandant of the Marine Corps
Battles/wars	Mexican-American War Battle of Chapultepec Civil War Fort Wagner

Charles Grymes McCawley (29 January 1827 – 13 October 1891) was the eighth Commandant of the Marine Corps.

McCawley served as an officer in the United States Marine Corps during the Mexican-American War and the American Civil War. He served after the Civil War as the Marines' senior officer, colonel commandant.

Born at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, McCawley was appointed a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps on 3 March 1847. He took part in the Battle of Chapultepec and the capture of Mexico City during the Mexican-American War. (It is this battle which is commemorated in the Marine Hymn's words, "From the Halls of Montezuma....")

He was brevetted first lieutenant September 13, 1847, for gallantry in those actions. In the Civil War, he aided in the capture of Port Royal, South Carolina, November 7, 1861 and led a detachment of 200 Marines to reoccupy the Norfolk Navy Yard, May 1862. He subsequently commanded Marine detachments during operations in Charleston Harbor against Forts Wagner, Gregg, and Sumter. For gallant and meritorious conduct during the boat attack on Fort Sumter, September 8, 1863, he was brevetted major.

In 1876, he was appointed colonel commandant, the highest post in the Marine Corps, and served in that position until he retired in 1891. Colonel McCawley died at Philadelphia, October 13, 1891.

Two ships in the United States Navy have been named USS McCawley in his honor.