Background
Wendell Cushing Neville was born on May 12, 1870 in Portsmouth, Virginia, United States. He was the son of Willis H. and Mary Elizabeth (Cushing) Neville.
Wendell Cushing Neville was born on May 12, 1870 in Portsmouth, Virginia, United States. He was the son of Willis H. and Mary Elizabeth (Cushing) Neville.
Neville was educated at Galt's Academy, Norfolk, Virginia, and entered the United States Naval Academy on September 13, 1886. He completed the four years' academic course in June 1890.
Neville served two years at sea as a naval cadet on board the Kearsarge and the Newark. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps July 1, 1892, his first station being the marine barracks, Washington, D. C. , where he spent two years. This was followed by service on various vessels.
While on duty with the marine battalion of the North Atlantic Squadron in 1898 he participated in the battle of Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and was appointed captain by brevet for conspicuous service in this battle. Upon the outbreak of the Philippine Insurrection, he became a member of the 4th Battalion organized for duty in the Philippines. This battalion, however, was diverted to China, thus giving Neville the opportunity to participate in the Boxer Campaign from August 5 to October 9, 1900. This service was followed by a tour of duty in the Philippine Islands where he commanded the barracks of Isabela de Basilan in the Moro country of the southern islands. His return in March 1903 was followed by various assignments and duties in the United States; by this time he had reached the grade of major.
When the United States intervened in Cuba, he served as a battalion commander in the initial phase of the occupation of the island during the month of October 1906. This was followed during the next few years largely by sea duty, but it also included service in Nicaragua. Early in 1914 he embarked at Pensacola in command of the 2nd Regiment and in April participated in the engagement which resulted in the occupation of Vera Cruz, Mexico.
From December 1915 to October 1917 he commanded the marine detachment of the American legation at Peking, China.
Upon his return to the United States late in 1917, Neville was immediately ordered to France. He arrived there December 28, 1917, assumed command of the 5th Regiment of Marines, and at the end of the month received his commission as colonel. His long and varied service had qualified him for the training of a regiment for the great conflict and the command of it on the battlefields of France. His regiment, together with the 6th Marines, constituted the 4th Brigade of the 2nd Division. While in command of the 5th Regiment he participated in the Aisne-Marne defensive, at Château-Thierry and in the battle of Belleau Woods. As commander of the 4th Brigade he participated in the battle of Soissons, the St. Mihiel offensive, the offensive in the Champagne (Blanc Mont), and in the Meuse-Argonne offensive.
He was promoted brigadier-general on August 28, 1918.
An American military officer could hardly ask greater distinction than to have exercised command in the 2nd Division in these actions. After the signing of the armistice Neville served with the Army of Occupation in Germany and returned to the United States in the summer of 1919. He was promoted to the grade of major-general with rank from December 10, 1923. He occupied important positions including that of assistant to the major-general; commandant; commander of the Department of the Pacific; commanding general of the Marine Corps Expeditionary Force, United States fleet; commanding general of Quantico; and finally commandant of the United States Marine Corps, to which position he was appointed February 7, 1929, by President Coolidge, succeeding General John A. Lejeune.
Neville died on July 8, 1930, survived by a daughter, and was buried in the Arlington National Cemetery.
On January 4, 1898, Neville married Frances Adelphia Howell of Washington, D. C.