The United States 5th Marine Regiment WWI-WWII - Research Paper Example

Major General Commandant of the Marine Corps, George Barnett, was well aware of these shortcomings. Barnett, who also enjoyed prominent social and political connections in Washington, was desperate for participation of the Marines in the ongoing war in France to overcome those flaws. He sought reorganization of the scattered small detachments into more structured battalions and regiments. Due to his incessant efforts and determination, President Woodrow Wilson directed the Secretary of War on May 29, “In pursuance of the authority vested in me by law, it is hereby directed that you issue the necessary orders detaching for service for the Army a force of Marines to be known as the Fifth Regiment of Marines” (Camp, 26).

Commandant Barnett assembled Marine detachments scattered across United States and Caribbean into the 5th Marine Regiment with battalions at Philadelphia and Quantico, which was officially activated on June 08, 1917. On June 14, the regiment, under the command of Colonel Charles A. Doyen, USMC, started sail towards France on the escort fleet comprising four groups. The first groups embarked in naval transports such as HENDERSON and DE KALB sailed on the same day. However, the last group including HANCOCK sailed three days later.

The first groups also encountered submarines on the way, but were not hit. The regiment arrived at harbor of St. Nazaire, France, on June 26, where it was assigned to the 1st Division, American Expeditionary Force, under the command of Major General John J. Pershing, USA. The 5th Regiment was the first marine regiment having the honor to serve with the Army in Europe (McClellan, 30-32). Pershing did not keep the regiment intact. Many of the regiment’s units were deployed as line of communication troops performing non-combat duties, which spread dismay among men and hampered the training.

In words of the 2nd Battalion Commander, Major Frederick M. Wise, USMC, “We were pretty badly split up … One battalion in St. Nazaire, half a battalion in England, and my battalion a few miles from Menacourt” (Camp, 32). Training of some elements was conducted as part of the First Division (regulars) in the Gondrecourt training area. However, it was soon realized that 1st Infantry Division already contained its full complement of four regiments. The regiment was thus reassigned to Fourth Infantry Brigade under the 2nd Division.

From September onwards, the available units of the Fourth Brigade as a unit of the Second Division of Regulars started training in the Bourmont training area (McClellan, 31). The Fourth Brigade of Marines was composed of the 5th Marine Regiment, the 6th Marine Regiment, and the 6th Machine Gun Battalion. After his promotion to Brigadier General, Col. Doyen became the first commanding general of the 2nd Division on October 26th, 1917. The command of the 5th Regiment was temporarily handed over to Lieut. Col. Hiram I.

Bearss, USMC, until Col. Wendell C. Neville, USMC, reported on duty on January 01, 1918. The 5th Regiment consisted of three battalions containing four companies each, the 84h Machine Gun Company, Supply Company and Headquarters Company. The 1st Battalion commanded by Major Julius Turrill, USMC, was comprised of 17th, 49th, 66th and 67th companies, the Second Battalion commanded by Major Frederick Wise, was comprised of 18th, 43rd, 51st and 55th companies, and the 3rd Battalion command