Anthony Gale
Story by Robert T. Jordan
Images and illustrations courtesy of the creator
Restricted information of Gale’s temporary service as Commandant can be found, and there’s no recognized picture or portrait.
Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Gale, fourth Commandant of the Marine Corps and the one one ever fired, was born in Dublin, Eire, on 17 Sept. 1782. Fewer information survive regarding him than these regarding every other Commandant. Even his last resting place is unknown.
Among the portraits of Commandants of the Marine Corps, one is notable by its absence—that of Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Gale, fourth Commandant of the Marine Corps from 3 March 1819 till 16 Oct. 1820. The scrappy Irishman’s antics have been such a humiliation to the Marine Corps that for years his identify was seldom talked about.
The twenty third Commandant of the Marine Corps, Basic Wallace M. Greene Jr., hoped to vary that. In 1966, he appointed a pair of Marines to conduct an investigation into what occurred to Gale after the Corps dismissed him in 1820. He suspected the “knobs” (small hills) of south-central Kentucky the place Gale lived out his last years might need solutions. Greene hoped the staff may find Gale’s burial web site and a male descendant whose likeness may present an artist an concept of how Gale might need seemed.
Marine Corps photographer Gunnery Sergeant Bob Mosier teamed with curator Richard Lengthy from the Marine Corps Museum to find Gale’s last resting place, however with out success. Suggesting that I proceed the search, Lengthy supplied me a photograph of Gale’s daughter and far of the fabric from Mosier and his investigation.
In search of clues about Anthony Gale’s last resting place required quite a few visits to historic archives and the city of Stanford, Ky.Swashbuckler and Duelist
Gale migrated to the US in 1793. To save cash, the federal government briefly abolished the Marine Corps after the Revolution. When President John 46 LEATHERNECK MARCH 2007
Adams approved the formation of the Marine Corps on 11 July 1798, Gale was among the many first to use for a fee as a second lieutenant, which he obtained on 2 Sept. 1798. He was first assigned recruiting responsibility in Philadelphia the place he additionally was answerable for guarding prisoners of the quasi-war with France.
Gale’s first sea-duty project was on the 24-gun frigate Ganges. He thrived as a seagoing officer. In fast succession, he directed his Marine Detachment in forays in opposition to the Barbary pirates and the British. However when Navy Lieutenant Allan MacKensie relieved one among Gale’s Marine sentries and positioned him in irons, Gale’s Irish mood exploded. Gale reportedly known as MacKensie a “rascal” and struck him throughout the face. The hapless Navy officer accepted a duel, thus sealing his destiny.
Gale killed MacKensie within the duel and forwarded a report back to Commandant William Ward Burrows. In a letter to a different Marine officer, Lieutenant Colonel Bur-
rows steered Gale’s motion would trigger Navy officers to deal with Marines and their officers “with some respect.”
In 1801, Gale obtained a promotion to first lieutenant and an project to Marine Barracks, Philadelphia. He turned a U.S. citizen, met and married Catherine Swope, the daughter of the Rev. Benedict Swope, and was numbered ninth of 18 first lieutenants.
Along with the 18 first lieutenants, the Corps included a lieutenant colonel Commandant, 4 captains and 18 second lieutenants. All through his profession, Gale would alternate service ashore with sea responsibility aboard different ships, together with USS President and Structure. His detachment or guard (relying on the dimensions of the ship) could be comprised of three sergeants, three corporals, one armorer, one drummer, one fifer and 50 privates. Sometimes, a primary and second lieutenant, or a captain and a primary lieutenant of Marines would command such a big guard.