Wendell Cushing Neville Wendell Cushing Neville ( May 12 , 1870 – July 8 , 1930 ) was a major general of the United States Marine Corps . He was a Medal of Honor recipient and 14th Commandant of the Marine Corps between 1929 and 1930 . Biography . Neville was born in Portsmouth , Virginia and entered the Naval Academy at Annapolis , Maryland , in 1886 chiefly because no one else in his district desired an appointment to Annapolis that year . After graduating in 1890 and following a two - year cruise aboard a warship , as was the practice of the era , was commissioned a Marine Corps second lieutenant . At the outbreak of the Spanish American War , 2nd Lt . Neville was assigned to the 1st Battalion , hurriedly organized under Lieutenant Colonel Robert W . Huntington for service in Cuba . The battalion staged a daring attack under heavy gunfire at Guantanamo Bay , established a beachhead and routed enemy forces in that area . For outstanding valor and leadership in that action , Lt . Neville was awarded the Brevet Medal , following its creation in 1921 , and was promoted to the brevet rank of captain . Promoted to the permanent rank of captain a few months after the war , he was assigned to a battalion of Marines ordered to China to relieve the hard - pressed garrison at Peking during the Boxer Rebellion . He took part in four battles in that area and was again commended for his gallantry . In the Philippine Islands not long afterwards , he was appointed military governor of Basilan Province . Following that assignment he served in Cuba , Nicaragua , Panama and Hawaii . During the United States occupation of Veracruz , he was in command of the 2nd Advance Base Regiment . While in command of Marines landing at Veracruz , Mexico , on April 21 , 1914 , he displayed conspicuous gallantry . In that operation , lieutenant colonel Neville was awarded the Medal of Honor for his distinguished conduct . In 1915 , Neville returned to China where he was chosen to command the combined Allied guard at Peking , serving in that position until 1917 . He was promoted to colonel in August 1916 . On January 1 , 1918 , he was placed in command of the 5th Regiment in France and in May moved his regiment into action at Belleau Wood where Germany ’ s big drive was decisively halted . In July , Neville ’ s command was enlarged to include the 4th Marine Brigade , which he directed during the remaining days of the war and during its occupation service in Germany . He was promoted to brigadier general in 1919 . After service with the Army of Occupation in Germany , Brig . Gen . Neville and his brigade returned to the United States in July 1919 . Promoted to major general in August 1920 , he served as Assistant to the Commandant of the Marine Corps and later became Commanding General , Fleet Marine Force with headquarters in San Francisco . He also commanded the Marine Barracks , Quantico , Virginia . Maj . Gen . Neville succeeded Maj . Gen . John A . Lejeune as Commandant of the Marine Corps on March 5 , 1929 . Maj . Gen . Neville ’ s sudden death on July 8 , 1930 at Edgewater Beach , Maryland , while in office as Major General Commandant , closed one of the most brilliant military careers of his day . He was buried in Arlington National Cemetery . His grave can be found in section 6 , Lot 8409 . Awards and honors . During the 38 years he spent as a U . S . Marine , Major General Neville received five citations , as well as : , a Heywood - class United States Navy transport is named honor of Major General Neville . Medal of Honor citation . NEVILLE , Wendell Cushing Lieutenant Colonel , U . S . Marine Corps G . O . Navy Department , No . 177 December 4 , 1915 Citation : For distinguished conduct in battle engagements of Vera Cruz 21 and April 22 , 1914 . In command of the Second Regiment Marines , Lieutenant Colonel Neville was in both days ' fighting and almost continually under fire from soon after landing , about noon on the 21st , until we were in possession of the city , about noon of the 22d . His duties required him to be at points of great danger in directing his officers and men , and he exhibited conspicuous courage , coolness and skill in his conduct of the fighting . Upon his courage and skill depended , in great measure , success or failure . His responsibilities were great and he met them in a manner worthy of commendation .