Harry Lee (June 4, 1872 – May 13, 1935) was a decorated

major general Major general (abbreviated MG, maj. gen. and similar) is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. The disappearance of the "sergeant" in the title explains the apparent confusion of ...

in the

United States Marine Corps The United States Marine Corps (USMC), also referred to as the United States Marines, is the maritime land force service branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for conducting expeditionary and amphibious operations through combi ...

and a military governor of

Santo Domingo , total_type = Total , population_density_km2 = auto , timezone = AST (UTC −4) , area_code_type = Area codes , area_code = 809, 829, 849 , postal_code_type = Postal codes , postal_code = 10100–10699 ( Distrito Nacional) , webs ...

Early life and education

Harry Lee was born in

Washington, D.C. ) , image_skyline = , image_caption = Clockwise from top left: the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, United States Capitol, Logan Circle, Jefferson Memorial, White House, Adams Morgan, ...

, on 4 June 1872.

Career

Lee was appointed as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps for the

Spanish–American War , partof = the Philippine Revolution, the decolonization of the Americas, and the Cuban War of Independence , image = Collage infobox for Spanish-American War.jpg , image_size = 300px , caption = (cloc ...

on 2 August 1898. He served at the Havana Naval Station during the war, and following it, aboard various ships of the

United States Navy The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most powerful navy in the world, with the estimated tonnage ...

and many Marine Corps stations. Lee took command of the 6th Marine Regiment in June 1918, a year after the

American entry into World War I American(s) may refer to: * American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America" ** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America ** American ancestry, p ...

, in succession to Albertus W. Catlin, who had been badly wounded. He led the unit through the battles at

Château-Thierry Château-Thierry () is a French commune situated in the department of the Aisne, in the administrative region of Hauts-de-France, and in the historic Province of Champagne. The origin of the name of the town is unknown. The local tradition at ...

, St. Mihiel, and the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, marching with the

Army An army (from Old French ''armee'', itself derived from the Latin verb ''armāre'', meaning "to arm", and related to the Latin noun ''arma'', meaning "arms" or "weapons"), ground force or land force is a fighting force that fights primarily on ...

to the

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. After the war, he commanded the Marine brigade in Santo Domingo, sent in 1921 to pacify the Dominican Republic and establish constitutional government. For 3 years, he served as military governor of the country. Later, Lee commanded Marine Barracks, Parris Island. On 1 March 1933, he assumed command of the

Marine Corps Base Quantico Marine Corps Base Quantico (commonly abbreviated MCB Quantico) is a United States Marine Corps installation located near Triangle, Virginia, covering nearly of southern Prince William County, Virginia, northern Stafford County, and southeas ...

Later life and death

Lee died on May 13, 1935, at age 62, at the Quantico Marine Base.

Awards and decorations

For World War I service, Lee was awarded the Silver Star,

Navy A navy, naval force, or maritime force is the branch of a nation's armed forces principally designated for naval and amphibious warfare; namely, lake-borne, riverine, littoral, or ocean-borne combat operations and related functions. It in ...

and also Army versions of the Distinguished Service Medal, the French Legion of Honor, and other decorations.

Legacy

* was named after Lee. *Harry Lee Hall on Marine Corps Base Quantico is named for MajGen Lee. Harry Lee Hall initially served as the Officer's Club, it is currently the home to the promotions branch of Headquarters Marine Corps.

References