Heywood, Charles, 1839-1915

Major General Charles Heywood (October 3, 1839 – February 26, 1915) was the ninth Commandant of the Marine Corps. During Heywood's term as Commandant, the size of the Corps more than tripled, from 2,175 Marines to 7,810 total.

Heywood was born on October 3, 1839, in Waterville, Maine, son of Charles Heywood, a lieutenant in the U. S. Navy, who had distinguished himself in the defense of San José del Cabo during the Mexican American War. He was appointed second lieutenant in the Marine Corps from New York, on April 5, 1858. On January 30, 1891, Heywood was appointed Colonel Commandant of the Marine Corps. By special acts of Congress he was promoted to brigadier general in March 1899 and to major general in July 1902. He was the first Marine to hold the rank of major general.

As commandant, Heywood set out to make his mark on the Marine Corps. He was the first to establish a regular system of examinations for officers for promotion and set up the system of officers' schools, which has continued with slight interruption since then. By increasing the efficiency of the Corps, Heywood tried to demonstrate to the Navy how absolutely essential it was as an auxiliary to the naval service. Under his administration the number of Marine Corps posts were increased from twelve to twenty-one. There was scarcely a regular post at which Major General Heywood was not able to provide new barracks or officers' quarters. He caused the regular system of target practice to be established and adopted good conduct medals for the betterment of the discipline in the Marine Corps.

Major General Heywood closed a most distinguished career of over forty-five years as a commissioned officer in the Marine Corps, when on 3 October 1903, in accordance with law, having attained the age of 64 years, he was placed on the retired list. His death occurred in Washington, D.C., on 26 February 1915, and his remains were interred in Arlington National Cemetery.