Chapter XXIV: Demobilization

Immediately upon the armistice becoming operative on November 11, 1918, the question of demobilization became one of paramount importance. It was necessary that plans be at once put into effect providing for the release from service at the earliest possible date of duration-of-war men and reservists. While authority existed to hold such men for several months after the ratification of the peace treaty, the popular demand for the return and discharge of all who could be spared was only natural. Parents, relatives, and friends could see no necessity for the keeping of their loved ones in the service after actual fighting ceased.

The problem before the Marine Corps was serious, as a wholesale reduction at that time would have seriously crippled its efficiency. Therefore, on November 20, 1918, in Marine Corps Orders No. 56, orders were issued to the service stating that it was the desire of headquarters to release those members of the Marine Corps Reserve and those men of the Regular Service, who enlisted for the duration of the war, who wished to complete their education, or who had urgent family and business interests demanding immediate and personal attention. Thus demobilization to a limited extent was begun nine days after the signing of the armistice.

On May 1, 1919, it became necessary, owing to the demands of the service and the reduction of the enlisted personnel, temporarily to limit the privilege of discharge to men whose release was necessary for urgent financial dependency reasons.

Following the approval of the act of July 11, 1919, which act provided sufficient funds to sustain the corps only at an average enlisted strength of 27,400 men, with corresponding officers, Marine Corps Orders No. 42, July 12, 1919, were published, establishing demobilization centers and promulgating detailed instructions for the complete demobilization. Under this plan duration-of-war men were discharged as rapidly as the exigencies of the service permitted. Those men who were serving in the Tropics who were eligible for discharge and desired their release were returned to the United States as rapidly as practicable, and orders were issued for their discharge and awaited them at the time of joining a Marine barracks, thus minimizing delay in allowing them to go home. By the latter part of December, 1919, practically all of the duration-of-war personnel had been discharged.

In August, 1919, the Fourth and Filth Brigades of Marines, which had been serving with the Army in France, were returned to the Marine barracks, Quantico, Va., and the naval operating base, Hampton Roads, Va., respectively, at which places the demobilization of these two organizations was effected. This undertaking was by far the largest and most important of its kind that had ever confronted the Marine Corps, but due to the coordination of the various departments interested, and the far-reaching and clearly defined instructions issued in advance the demobilization of these units was effected in a remarkably short time, being completed on August 13, 1919, and in a manner bringing satisfaction to the men discharged, and reflecting to the credit of the corps. The success of these efforts is evidenced by the following statement of demobilization:

Discharged or transferred to inactive status:
Fourth Brigade, 6,677 enlisted men.
Fifth Brigade, 6,671 enlisted men.

In addition to the enlisted men released there were also about two hundred officers of the two brigades who were either discharged or transferred to an inactive status. Due to the diligent cooperation of those concerned the demobilization was carried out with a degree of success far beyond expectations.

MARINES ARE WELCOMED HOME BY THE NAVY.

Acting Secretary Roosevelt August 11, 1919, sent to all ships and stations of the United States Navy the following special order:

The Fourth Brigade of the Marine Corps, consisting of the Fifth
Regiment, Sixth Regiment, and the Sixth Machine Gun Battalion, and
the Fifth Brigade of the Marine Corps, consisting of the Eleventh
Regiment, Thirteenth Regiment, and Fifth Brigade Machine Gun
Battalion, have returned from service in Europe and have reverted
from the Army to their status in the United States Navy. At this
time I wish, on behalf of the naval service, to welcome them back
and express to the officers and men of these organizations the very
deep appreciation of the Navy for their splendid services while
with the Army during the war.

Beginning with the first expeditionary forces which left the United
States in June, 1917, over 30,000 officers and men of the Marine
Corps have been sent to France. The Fourth Brigade, as a part
of the immortal Second Division, has been engaged in all of the
principal operations of the war. Their record speaks for itself.
The Fifth Brigade, going to France later, furnished many splendidly
trained replacements for the Fourth Brigade and performed arduous
tasks according to tradition.

The entire Navy welcomes them home.

FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT,
_Acting Secretary of the Navy_.

THE SECRETARY OF WAR PRAISES THE FOURTH BRIGADE.

WAR DEPARTMENT, _August 12, 1919_.

Hon. JOSEPHUS DANIELS,
_Secretary of the Navy_.

MY DEAR MR. SECRETARY: In the process of demobilization,
the Marine Brigade, which by the President’s order became a part of
the American Expeditionary Forces and was thus a part of the forces
under the control of the War Department and under the command of
Gen. Pershing, has now been returned to this country, detached from
the Army, and restored to the control of the Navy Department.

I can not permit this heroic force to terminate its association
with the Army without expressing to you, and through you to the
officers and men of the Marine Corps, the deep sentiment of the
War Department and of the Army toward it. The whole history of
the Brigade in France is one of conspicuous service; when it was
finally incorporated into the Second Division of the American Army
it had early an opportunity to give a heroic demonstration of the
unconquerable tenacity and dauntless courage of American soldiers.
From then on in successive, almost continuous, battles the Marine
Brigade and the division of which it was a part fought sternly and
successfully until victory was obtained for the Allied Armies.
Throughout this long contest the Marines, both by their valor and
their tragic losses, heroically sustained, added an imperishable
chapter to the history of America’s participation in the World War.

On behalf of the Army I congratulate the Navy Department, the Major
General commanding the Marines, those who have been instrumental in
the formation and training of this splendid organization, and the
officers and men of the organization itself.

Cordially, yours,

NEWTON D. BAKER.

In reply Acting Secretary Roosevelt said:

NAVY DEPARTMENT, _August 13, 1919_.

Hon. NEWTON D. BAKER,
_Secretary of War, Washington, D. C._

DEAR MR. SECRETARY: Your very cordial letter and the
tribute it bore to the Fourth Brigade of Marines was received with
pleasure and deepest appreciation. The heroism of the Marines and
the Regulars in the famous Second Division, and their sacrifices,
have endeared them to all Americans, and it is with very pardonable
pride that we welcome them back to the Navy.

The spirit of cordial cooperation between the Army and the Navy was
never better manifested than in the participation of these Marines
in the great battles in France under the command of Gen. Pershing
as a part of the United States Army, and shoulder to shoulder with
units of the Regular Army. It is with extreme gratification that
we can look back upon this unbroken cooperation between our two
departments that started at the time the first Navy ship carried
troops to France and continued uninterruptedly through to the end.

On behalf of Secretary Daniels, the Commandant of the Marine Corps,
the officers and men of that organization, I wish to thank you
for the sentiments expressed in your letter and convey to you our
appreciation of the heroism of the officers and men of the Army
who with the Marines made the Second Division one of the greatest
fighting organizations the world has ever known.

It is very gratifying in our pride over the achievements of the
Marines, to know that that pride is shared by the War Department
and your warm approbation of their conduct as a part of the Army
will be treasured by the Corps as well as by the individuals.

Sincerely, yours,

FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT,
_Acting Secretary of the Navy_.