Charles A. Doyen
Charles Augustus Doyen (September 3, 1859 – October 6, 1918) was an officer in the United States Marine Corps with the rank of brigadier general and the first recipient of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal.
Charles Augustus Doyen | |
|---|---|
 BGen Charles A. Doyen | |
| Born | September 3, 1859 Concord, New Hampshire |
| Died | October 6, 1918 (aged 59) Quantico, Virginia |
| Place of burial | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service/ |  United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1881–1918 |
| Rank |  Brigadier general |
| Commands held | 5th Marine Regiment 4th Marine Brigade 2nd Division |
| Battles/wars | Philippine–American War World War I |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Medal |
Biography
Born in Concord, New Hampshire, Brigadier General Doyen was a member of the Naval Academy class of 1881, later commissioned second lieutenant in the Marine Corps. He organized and commanded the 5th Marine Regiment in World War I, and in France took command of the 4th Brigade, 2d Division, composed of the 5th and 6th Marine Regiments and the 6th Machine Gun Battalion. From October 26 to November 8, 1917, he served as commanding general, 2nd Division (United States), the first Marine officer to command a U.S. Army division. He returned to the United States, dying of influenza during the height of the global pandemic on October 6, 1918, at Quantico, Virginia.[1] The 4th Brigade went on to win a historic victory in Belleau Wood. Brigadier General Doyen's contribution to these victories was recognized by the posthumous award of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, the first to ever be awarded.
Namesake
Two ships have been named USS Doyen for him.
References
- "Doyen". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Naval History & Heritage Command, Department of the Navy. Retrieved November 19, 2006.
- United States Army records of World War I
- Bastedo, Russell (2007). "General Charles Augustus Doyen". Publications - Likenesses of New Hampshire War Heroes & Personages in the Collections of the New Hampshire State House & State Library. New Hampshire State Curator. Retrieved March 27, 2009.
Attribution
- This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.
External links
Media related to Charles Augustus Doyen at Wikimedia Commons