George C. Thorpe

George Cyrus Thorpe
Born January 7, 1875
Northfield, Minnesota
Died July 28, 1936 (aged 61)
Bethesda Naval Hospital Bethesda, Maryland
Place of burial Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Marine Corps
Years of service 1898 - 1923
Rank Colonel
Unit 1917-1918, Chief of Staff, 2nd Marine Brigade[1]
Commands held
  • 1903, Marine guard for U.S. diplomatic mission to Emperor Menelik II of Ethiopia
  • 14 Mar 1911 - 14 Mar 1911, 3rd Marines[2]
  • 28 May 1917 - 19 Oct 1917, 3rd Marines[2]
  • 17 Dec 1917 - 1 Feb 1918, 3rd Marines[2]
  • Portsmouth Naval Prison[1]
  • Marine Barracks, Pearl Harbor[1]
Battles/wars Spanish–American War
Philippine–American War
Negro Rebellion
Awards
Relations Amy Elizabeth Thorpe, daughter
Other work Author, Lawyer

George Cyrus Thorpe (January 7, 1875– July 28, 1936) was a United States Marine Corps officer during the Spanish-American War and the Philippine-American War. He was an early writer on military logistics.[5] He was one of 23 Marine Corps officers awarded the Marine Corps Brevet Medal for bravery. He was also an author and lawyer after he retired from the Marine Corps.

Biography

Thorpe was born January 7, 1875 in Northfield, Minnesota and in 1894 received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.

He resigned in November 1896 but when the Spanish-American War started he applied for a commission in the Marine Corps and was appointed a Second Lieutenant.

In 1903-1904, Captain Thorpe commanded the Marine guard of the American diplomatic mission to Abyssinia, and photographed the emperor Menelik II.[5][4]

While serving in the Marine Corps he earned his Bachelor of Science from New York University in 1910. In 1912 he served in Cuba during U.S. intervention in the Negro Rebellion.[6] Thorpe also graduated from the Naval War College in 1915 before serving on its staff, earned a Master of Arts from Brown University in 1916, and completed the General Staff College in 1921.

He was a Major when he was assigned to the Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C. in 1917.

In 1922 or 1923 he was found not physically qualified for further service because several toes from both feet had been amputated. He was placed on the retired list as a Colonel.

After retiring from the Marine Corps he became a lawyer and author, writing several books on legal subjects. He had previously written on military matters.

George Thorpe died July 28, 1936 at Bethesda Naval Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. His grave can be found in section 6, site 9287. CHe married [1] Cora Edna Wells, April 8, 1908.[7] She was the daughter of a Minnesota senator. They had had three children; the eldest, Amy Elizabeth Thorpe, was a successful World War II spy.

Presidential citation

Citation

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Marine Corps Brevet Medal to George Cyrus Thorpe, First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps, for distinguished conduct and public service in the presence of the enemy at Novaleta, Philippine Islands. On 28 March 1901, appointed Captain, by brevet, from 8 October 1899.[3]

Secretary of the Navy citation

Citation

The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in transmitting to First Lieutenant George Cyrus Thorpe, 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 with the Second Battalion of Marines, at Novaleta, Philippine Islands, on 8 October 1899. On 28 March 1901, First Lieutenant Thorpe is appointed Captain, by brevet, to rank from 8 October 1899.[8]

Works

Gallery

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "George Cyrus Thorpe, at the Arlington National Cemetery Website". Retrieved 2015-03-13.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Frank, Benis M. (1968). "Appendix A - COMMANDING OFFICERS, 3D MARINES, 1911-1961". A Brief History of the 3d Marines. Washington, D. C.: Historical Branch, G-3 Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps. Retrieved 2015-04-05. previous editions in 1958, 1961
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Sterner, C. Douglas. "U.S. Marine Corps Recipients of the Brevet Medal" (MS WORD). Home of Heroes. Retrieved 2009-07-22.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 UNCLE SAM'S MISSION TO KING MENELEK, in the Tacoma Times (via Chronicling America); published March 15, 1904; retrieved February 22, 2015
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Simmons, Edwin H. (Spring 1987). "Marine Corps Logistics in World War II" (PDF). Fortitudine XVI (4) (Marine Corps Historial Center). p. 4. Retrieved 2015-04-04.
  6. ↑ Clark, pg. 97-99
  7. ↑ Jania, Karen (November 20, 2007). "Alumni Records, University of Michigan, Cora Thorpe" (Letter to Jeff Shear). Retrieved 2015-04-04.
  8. ↑ "Hall of Valor". George Thorpe. Military Times. Retrieved 2009-08-07.
Specific

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