Draft:George H. Osterhout

George H. Osterhout graduated from West Point Academy in 1906. In 1909, he accepts an appointment as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps and attends Marine Officers’ School at Port Royal, SC. In November and December of 1909, he is in arrest in quarters. After graduating, he is transferred to M.B., Norfolk, VA, and from there sent to M.B., Mere Island, CA to be transferred to M.B., N.S., Olongapo, Philippines, where he is in command of Company D, First Regiment, First Brigade under Captain Westcott. He is transferred to Company A, 1st Regiment, 1st Brigade in Dec. 1910.

Osterhout is detached from Company A on 10 October 1911 and transferred to Company D, Second Regiment aboard the USS Rainbow (AS-7) en route to Shanghai, China. In December 1911, Osterhout is placed in command of Company A, Second Regiment. In March 1912, Osterhout is placed in command of the Marine Detachment aboard the USS Saratoga (ACR-2) en route and stationed (Apr 1912) at Shangia, China. Osterhout served as the Judge Advocate for a General Court Martial in August 1912, and in September 1912, is transferred via the USAT Sherman to M.B., N.Y., New York, NY in September 1912.

November 1913 Osterhout is promoted to first lieutenant and is assigned temporary duty with the 3” Landing Gun Company, Second Advanced Base Regiment in Pensacola, FL. In April 1914, Osterhout is assigned Quartermaster Aboard the USS Mississippi (BB-23) with the 19th Company, 1st Battalion Regiment, 1st Brigade in Mexico. Osterhout was transferred to Naval Disciplinary Barracks, Port Royal, SC, in May 1915 and was a member of a General Court Martial. Osterhout was transferred to 7th Company, 2nd Regiment, Marine Corps Expeditionary Forces operating in Haiti in August 1915, and in November 1915, is placed in command of 16th Company in Limonade, Haiti. In December 1916, Osterhout is detached from temporary duty with 2nd Regiment and is placed on permanent duty with 1st Provisional Brigade in Haiti, serving as the Provost Marshall and the Provost Judge.

In April 1917, Osterhout is promoted to captain – this does not show on muster rolls until June 1917. Osterhout is placed in command of 23rd Company, 5th Regiment, and in July 1917, in transferred via the USS Henderson (AP-1) to France. In January 1918, Osterhout was in command of 23rd Company, 5th Regiment (redesignated 23rd Company, 6th Machine Gun Battalion) and placed as Head of Machine Gun Section of First Corps Schools. In May 1918, Osterhout is assigned Machine Gun Officer of the 6th Machine Gun Battalion. He was also placed under arrest with the charges dismissed in June 1918. In July 1918, Osterhout was transferred to 13th Replacement Battalion. Osterhout was detached to Army Service Schools as an instructor from September 1918 to February 1919. Osterhout is temporarily promoted to major in March 1919 with the Marine Detachment of the 2nd Division, A. E. F. Osterhout returns to the U.S. via the USS De Kalb in May 1919. In July 1919, Osterhout is transferred to M.B, Parris Island, SC, and is assigned commander of Battalion “B” in September 1919.

In September 1920, Osterhout was placed in command of Battalion “A” and as OIC of East Wing, Training Station, Parris Island, SC. Osterhout is promoted to major in March 1921. From September 1921 to June 1922, Osterhout attends and graduates from Field Officers School at the Marine Corps Schools Detachment, M.B., Quantico, VA. In August/September 1923, Osterhout is detached from Headquarters Detachment, M.B., Parris Island, SC, to Headquarters Company, Fourth Regiment, Second Brigade in Santiago, Dominican Republic via the USS Kittery. In October 1923, he was assigned CO of M.B., Santiago, D.R., and President of the GCM. Osterhout transferred to M.B., Quantico, VA, under Major General Eli K. Cole from August 1924 to October 1926, where he served as a member of the GCM as well as several boards and councils. In March 1926, Osterhout travels to Parris Island, SC, for the dedication of the Ribault Monument. In August 1926, Osterhout was placed in command of Headquarters Battery, Second Battalion, Tenth Regiment at M.B., Quantico, VA.

In October 1926, Osterhout was transferred to the Fourth District, 10th Regiment Area, Eastern Mail Guard, St. Louis, MO, as the District and Detachment Commander. From September 1927 to June 1928, Osterhout attended Field Artillery School at Fort Sill, OK. From July 1928 to November 1928, Osterhout transferred to Recruit Depot, Marine Corps Base, Naval Operating Base, San Diego, CA as Commanding Officer and is then transferred to Marine Corps Reserves, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, MCB, NOB, San Diego, CA in December 1928 as the CO of the Base HQ Troops until March 1930. (Also served as the President of the Marine Examining Board briefly during this period.)

In April 1930, Osterhout was transferred via the SS President Pierce to the Asiatic Fleet with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, M.C.E.F. based out of Shangia, China, as the Battalion Commander until December 1933. In December/ January 1934, Osterhout is transferred to Parris Island, SC. In January 1934, Osterhout is listed with Headquarters Detachment, Recruit Depot, Marine Barracks, Parris Island, SC, as the Commanding Officer of the Recruit Depot, the Post Recruiting Officer, the President of GCM, the Senior Member of the Post Council of Administration, and the Senior Member of the Post Exchange Council. Osterhout remains CO of Recruit Depot until August 1934 after the arrival of LtCol William C. Powers. In September 1935, Osterhout retired from the Marine Corps.