Throughout its long history, Monumental United Methodist Church has had hundreds of its members serve loyally in the Armed Forces of the United States. Wendell Cushing Neville, born May 12, 1870 in Portsmouth and a Monumental Church member, rose through the ranks of the military to become the 14^th Commandant of the Marine Corps and Medal of Honor recipient.

At the outbreak of the Spanish-American war, Lieutenant Neville was assigned for service in Cuba. For outstanding valor and leadership in that action, Lieutenant Neville was awarded the Brevet Metal, the highest Marine Corps decoration at that time, and was promoted to the brevet rank of captain. (A brevet rank is a temporary promotion for outstanding service in times of need.) Following his promotion, 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 and 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. While in command of Marines landing in Vera Cruz, Mexico, on April 21, 1914, he displayed conspicuous gallantry and was awarded the Medal of Honor for his distinguished conduct.

Prior to his embarkation for France in 1917, Colonel Neville return to China where he was chosen to command the combined Allied guard at Peking.

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, Brigadier General 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.

After serving with the Army of Occupation in Germany, Brigadier General Neville and his brigade returned to United States in July 1919. Promoted to Major General in March 1920, he served as Assistant to the Commandant of the Marine Corps and later became Commanding General, Department of the Pacific, with headquarters in San Francisco. He also commanded the Marine Barracks, Quantico, Virginia.

Major General Neville succeeded Major General John A. Lejeune as Commandant of the Marine Corps on March 5, 1929. Neville was pictured on the cover of cover of Time magazine in 1929. Major General 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 is buried in Arlington national cemetery.

During the 38 years he spent as a U.S. Marine, Major General Neville received the Medal of Honor, Brevet Medal, Army Distinguished Service Medal, Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Cross of the Legion of Honor, five Croix, de Guerre with three stars and two palms, five citation and eight campaign and expeditionary awards.