Reid, George, C.
George Croghan Reid was born on 9 December 1876 in Lorain, Ohio. In May 1898, he was appointed from that same state to the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and served as a Second Lieutenant during the Spanish-American War. Briefly discharged in February 1899, he returned to the U.S. Marine Corps in April and was commissioned a First Lieutenant, receiving orders to the Marine Barracks at Cavite, Philippines. In June 1900, he participated in the China Relief Expedition and was promoted to Captain the next month. That December, he served for a period of time on board the protected cruiser Albany then reported back to the Marine Barracks at Cavite. In the Fall of 1902, he was assigned to the Marine Barracks at League Island, Philadelphia Navy Yard, Pennsylvania. After Special Duty with the North Atlantic Fleet, he reported overseas to Panama in February 1903 and was based at Camp Elliott in the Panama Canal Zone.
Reid returned to the Philippines in December 1905 and served with the Marine Barracks and the First Brigade. While in the Philippines, he was promoted to Major in January 1909. That October, he received orders to the Marine Barracks at Norfolk Navy Yard, Virginia, and transferred two years later to the Marine Barracks at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, Pennsylvania. In March 1914, he was assigned to the Marine Division on board USS Arkansas and participated in the intervention at Vera Cruz, Mexico. On 21-22 April 1914, Reid skillfully and courageously directed his men while the enemy fired machine-guns and rifles at them from Cinco de Mayo and parallel streets. His leadership in this action resulted in a small loss to his battalion. For his "distinguished conduct in battle" on this occasion, he was awarded the Medal of Honor. In May 1916, he commanded the Marine Corps Rifle Range at Winthrop, Maryland, and was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in August. During World War I, he was temporarily promoted to Colonel in July 1918 and served with the Eight Marine Regiment at Galveston, Texas, transferring in the area to the Third Provisional Brigade Marines.
In September 1919, Reid relocated overseas to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, where he served with the Second Provisional Brigade Marines. While at Santo Domingo, he was permanently promoted to Colonel in June 1920. Returning back to the United States, he attended the Naval War College at Newport, Rhode Island, and was ordered in July 1922 to Marine Barracks, New York Navy Yard, New York. After graduating in September 1925 from the Army War College in Washington D.C., he commanded the Marine Barracks at Naval Station, Guam. In June 1927, he reported as Officer in Charge, Recruiting Division, Chicago, Illinois. In September 1930, he retired and was placed on the retired list. During World War II, he was promoted to Brigadier General on the retired listed in February 1942. George C. Reid died on 19 February 1961 and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.
