Clifton Cates
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General Clifton B. Cates |
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|---|---|
19th Commandant of the Marine Corps
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| Birth name | Clifton Bledsoe Cates |
| Nickname(s) | "Lucky" |
| Born |
August 31, 1893 Tiptonville, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Died | June 4, 1970 (aged 76) Annapolis, Maryland, U.S. |
| Buried | Arlington National Cemetery Arlington County, Virginia, U.S. |
| Allegiance |
 United States
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| Service/branch |
 United States Marine Corps
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| Years of service | 1917–1954 |
| Rank |
 General
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| Commands held |
1st Marine Regiment 4th Marine Division Commandant of the Marine Corps |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards |
Navy Cross Distinguished Service Cross Navy Distinguished Service Medal (2) Silver Star (2) Legion of Merit Purple Heart Legion of Honor (France) Croix de Guerre (France) |
| Spouse(s) | Jane McIlhenny |
| Other work | National Campaign Chairman, U.S.O. |
Clifton B. Cates (born Clifton Bledsoe Cates; August 31, 1893 – June 4, 1970) was a senior officer of the United States Marine Corps who served as the 19th Commandant of the Marine Corps from 1948 to 1951. He was honored for his heroism during World War I at the Battle of Belleau Wood, and in World War II for inspired combat leadership at the Battle of Iwo Jima. He is considered one of the most distinguished young officers of the Great War. Cates was one of the few officers from any branch of service to have commanded a platoon, a company, a battalion, a regiment, and a division each in combat.
Clifton Bledsoe Cates was born August 31, 1893, in Tiptonville, Tennessee. After graduating from the Missouri Military Academy in 1910, and the University of Tennessee College of Law in 1916 with a Bachelor of Law degree, he was admitted to the Tennessee Bar. Was a member of the Kappa Tau Chapter of Phi Gamma Delta.
With the entry of the United States into the Great War, Cates sought to join up. He was commissioned as second lieutenant in the Marine Corps Reserves. He began active duty on June 13, 1917.
"I have only two men out of my company and 20 out of some other company. We need support, but it is almost suicide to try to get it here as we are swept by machine gun fire and a constant barrage is on us. I have no one on my left and only a few on my right. I will hold." 1stLt. Clifton B. Cates, USMC in Belleau Wood, 19 July 1918
During World War I, Cates served with the 6th Marine Regiment, fighting in France. For his heroism in the Aisne defensive at Boursches and Belleau Wood, he was awarded the Navy Cross, the Distinguished Service Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster - one of only 9 Marines to receive 2 in WWI - in addition to the Purple Heart. He was awarded a Silver Star for his gallantry at Soissons. In addition to his medals from the U.S. military, he was recognized by the French government with the Legion of Honor, one of the greatest compliments that could be paid any officer, and the Croix de Guerre with Gilt Star and two palms. Lt. Cates and his men were credited with saving Bouresches.
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