The man pictured here is 1st Lt. Clifton B. Cates, one of the most decorated young Marine officers in World War I, earning the Navy Cross, 2 Distinguished Service Crosses, 2 Silver Stars, the Purple Heart and more. He fought with the 6th Marines in Belleau Wood, Bouresches, and Soissons. The following is the message he wrote for the runner to send to the Battalion HQ during the fighting in Soissons, after being wounded 3 times: “I have only two men out of my company (himself and the runner), 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.” - Signed ~ 1st Lt. Clifton B. Cates USMC 19 July 1918.
After the war, he fought in World War II, leading his men through Guadalcanal, Tinian, Iwo Jima and more. He 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. He also became the 19th Commandant of the Marine Corps, retiring as a General in 1954. He passed away in 1970 and buried with full military honors. #stayzero #zerofoxtrot #badass #usmc #leadership #hardcore #marines #semperfi #getsome #oldbreed