Matthew Henry Kingman (March 1, 1890 – November 16, 1946) was a decorated officer of the

United States Marine Corps The United States Marine Corps (USMC), also referred to as the United States Marines, is the maritime land force service branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for conducting expeditionary and amphibious operations through ...

with the rank of

brigadier general Brigadier general or Brigade general is a military rank used in many countries. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries. The rank is usually above a colonel, and below a major general or divisional general. When appointed t ...

, who is most noted for his service as commanding officer of the 6th Machine Gun Battalion during

World War I World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was List of wars and anthropogenic disasters by death toll, one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, ...

and as commanding general of training center at

Camp Elliott Camp Kearny was a U.S. military base (first Army, later Navy) in San Diego County, California, on the site of the current Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. It operated from 1917 to 1946. The base was named in honor of Brigadier General Stephen ...

California California is a state in the Western United States, located along the Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the most populous U.S. state and the 3rd largest by area. It is also the ...

, during

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the World War II by country, vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great power ...

Early career

Matthew H. Kingman was born on March 1, 1890, in Humeston, Iowa, as the son of Matthew Francis Kingman (1858–1925) and his wife Lorhetta (1858–1912). He attended the

Virginia Military Institute la, Consilio et Animis (on seal) , mottoeng = "In peace a glorious asset, In war a tower of strength""By courage and wisdom" (on seal) , established = , type = Public senior military college , accreditation = SACS , endowment = $696.8 mill ...

Lexington, Virginia Lexington is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. At the 2020 census, the population was 7,320. It is the county seat of Rockbridge County, although the two are separate jurisdictions. The Bureau of Economic Analysis combines ...

, and graduated in 1913 with

Bachelor of Science A Bachelor of Science (BS, BSc, SB, or ScB; from the Latin ') is a bachelor's degree awarded for programs that generally last three to five years. The first university to admit a student to the degree of Bachelor of Science was the University o ...

degree in

civil engineering Civil engineering is a professional engineering discipline that deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment, including public works such as roads, bridges, canals, dams, airports, sewa ...

. Kingman subsequently joined the Marine Corps on November 24, 1913, and was commissioned second lieutenant on the same date. His first assignment was at the Officers Basic School,

Norfolk, Virginia Norfolk ( ) is an independent city (United States), independent city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. Incorporated in 1705, it had a population of 238,005 at the 2020 United States Census, 2020 cen ...

, where he attended instruction course. Kingman was in the same company with some future Marine Corps generals, like for example William H. Rupertus, Allen H. Turnage,

Henry Louis Larsen Lieutenant General Henry Louis Larsen (December 10, 1890 – October 2, 1962) was a United States Marine Corps officer, the second Military Governor of Guam following its recapture from the Empire of Japan, and the first post-World War II Govern ...

, Keller E. Rockey, Lyle H. Miller and

Alphonse DeCarre Alphonse DeCarre (November 15, 1892 – May 3, 1977) was a highly decorated Major General in the United States Marine Corps. He was a recipient of the second highest decorations of the Army and Navy, the Distinguished Service Cross and the Navy ...

. He was subsequently assigned to the Marine detachment aboard the battleship USS ''Delaware'' in June 1915 and served there as junior Marine officer until April 1917. During his service aboard USS ''Delaware'', Kingman was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant on August 29, 1916, and subsequently to the rank of captain on March 26, 1917. He was transferred to the 15th Company, 3rd Battalion,

6th Marine Regiment The 6th Marine Regiment (also referred to as "6th Marines") is an infantry regiment of the United States Marine Corps based at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. The regiment falls under the command of the 2nd Marine Division of the ...

stationed at Marine Barracks Quantico,

Virginia Virginia, officially the Commonwealth of Virginia, is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions of the United States, between the East Coast of the United States, Atlantic Coast and the Appalachian Mountains. The geography an ...

, in April 1917 and was appointed company's commander. The 15th Company was used to form 6th Machine Gun Battalion under the command of Major

Edward B. Cole Edward Ball Cole (September 23, 1879 - June 18, 1918) was an officer in the United States Marine Corps during World War I. He was a leading expert on machine guns; he was killed in action during the Battle of Belleau Wood. Biography Cole was born ...

in August 1917. Kingman sailed to

France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. Its metropolitan ar ...

in December 1917 and subsequently commanded his company during the

Battle of Belleau Wood The Battle of Belleau Wood (1–26 June 1918) occurred during the German spring offensive in World War I, near the Marne River in France. The battle was fought between the U.S. 2nd (under the command of Major General Omar Bundy) and 3rd Divisi ...

in June 1918. He was cited for gallantry in action and subsequently decorated with the

Silver Star The Silver Star Medal (SSM) is the United States Armed Forces' third-highest military decoration for valor in combat. The Silver Star Medal is awarded primarily to members of the United States Armed Forces for gallantry in action against an ...

citation during that battle. Kingman wounded by enemy machine gun fire on June 6, 1918, and stayed in hospital for treatment until July. Kingman then participated in the Battle of Soissons and

Battle of Saint-Mihiel The Battle of Saint-Mihiel was a major World War I battle fought from 12–15 September 1918, involving the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) and 110,000 French troops under the command of General John J. Pershing of the United States against ...

and finally distinguished himself again at the beginning of October 1918. He displayed courage, coolness and leadership during the Battle of Blanc Mont Ridge and was decorated with his second Silver Star. Kingman was also decorated for bravery with French Croix de guerre 1914–1918 with Palm and Star and

Fourragère The ''fourragère'' () is a military award, distinguishing military units as a whole, in the form of a braided cord. The award was first adopted by France, followed by other nations such as the Netherlands, Belgium, Portugal, and Luxembourg. Fo ...

by the Government of France. Captain Kingman was promoted to the temporary rank of major at the end of October 1918 and placed in command of 6th Machine Gun Battalion. He succeeded Major Littleton W. T. Waller Jr., who was appointed division machine gun officer of the 2nd Division. Major Kingman commanded the 6th MG Battalion during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive and subsequently participated with this unit in occupation duties in Germany. He was ordered back to the United States in August 1919.

Interwar period

After his return to the United States, Kingman was assigned to the recruiting office in

New Orleans New Orleans ( , ,New Orleans

Marine Barracks Quantico, where he served as instructor of tactics within Field Officer's Senior Course at Marine Corps School. Kingman was subsequently assigned to the 1st Brigade of Marines and sent to

Haiti Haiti (; ht, Ayiti ; French: ), officially the Republic of Haiti (); ) and formerly known as Hayti, is a country located on the island of Hispaniola in the Greater Antilles archipelago of the Caribbean Sea, east of Cuba and Jamaica, and ...

in April 1923. While in Haiti, he was appointed department inspector within Garde d'Haïti and stayed there until June 1926. Kingman was ordered back to Quantico base and attended Field Officer's Senior Course at Marine Corps School, graduating in May 1927. He was subsequently appointed executive officer of 2nd Battalion,

11th Marine Regiment The 11th Marine Regiment is an artillery regiment of the United States Marine Corps based at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California. Known as the "Cannon Cockers", the regiment falls under the command of the 1st Marine Division and the I ...

in May 1927 and sent to

Nicaragua Nicaragua (; ), officially the Republic of Nicaragua (), is the largest Sovereign state, country in Central America, bordered by Honduras to the north, the Caribbean Sea, Caribbean to the east, Costa Rica to the south, and the Pacific Ocean to ...

. Kingman was stationed in the town Corinto and where his regiment was disbanded at the end of July 1927. He was decorated for his service with Presidential Medal of Merit with Star by the Government of Nicaragua. Following his return to the States, Kingman was assigned to the Division of Operations and Training within

Headquarters Marine Corps Headquarters Marine Corps (HQMC) is a headquarters staff within the Department of the Navy which includes the offices of the Commandant of the Marine Corps, the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps and various staff functions. The function, ...

Washington, D.C. ) , image_skyline = , image_caption = Clockwise from top left: the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, United States Capitol, Logan Circle, Jefferson Memorial, White House, Adams Morgan, ...

, and promoted to the permanent rank of major on September 7, 1927. He was transferred to the Marine detachment aboard cruiser USS ''Memphis'' and served within

Special Service Squadron The Special Service Squadron was a component of the United States Navy during the earlier part of the 20th century. The squadron patrolled the Caribbean Sea as an instrument of gunboat diplomacy. It was headquartered in Balboa, Panama Canal Zo ...

Latin America Latin America or * french: Amérique Latine, link=no * ht, Amerik Latin, link=no * pt, América Latina, link=no, name=a, sometimes referred to as LatAm is a large cultural region in the Americas where Romance languages — languages derived ...

. However he was back in Headquarters Marine Corps in July 1933 and remained there until May 1935. While served there, Kingman was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel in May 1934. Following month, he was assigned back to Marine Barracks Quantico and appointed to the capacity of executive officer of the

5th Marine Regiment The 5th Marine Regiment (also referred to as "5th Marines") is an infantry regiment of the United States Marine Corps based at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California. It is the most highly decorated regiment in the Marine Corps and falls u ...

. Kingman also served simultaneously as post adjutant and chief of staff. He then served as chief of staff with Department of Pacific and later as executive officer of the 2nd Marine Brigade under command of Brigadier General

Clayton B. Vogel Clayton Barney Vogel (September 18, 1882 – November 26, 1964) was a United States Marine Corps officer with the rank of major general who served in a variety of capacities from 1902 until 1946. He is best known for his support of the Navajo cod ...

. While served there, Kingman was promoted to the rank of

colonel Colonel (abbreviated as Col., Col or COL) is a senior military officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations. In the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, a colonel was typically in charge ...

on September 1, 1938.

World War II

Colonel Kingman retired on April 1, 1940, due to physical disability from the wounds received in

. However, he was recalled to active duty on February 11, 1942, and appointed tactical instructor of

2nd Marine Division The 2nd Marine Division (2nd MARDIV) is a division (military), division of the United States Marine Corps, which forms the ground combat element of the II Marine Expeditionary Force (II MEF). The division is based at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeu ...

. Kingman also served simultaneously as commanding officer of Marine Corps Base San Diego from March 19 to April 2, 1942. He was relieved from command of San Diego base by Colonel James L. Underhill. In May 1942, Kingman was appointed commanding officer of the

Fleet Marine Force The United States Fleet Marine Forces (FMF) are combined general- and special-purpose forces within the United States Department of the Navy that perform offensive amphibious or expeditionary warfare and defensive maritime employment. The Flee ...

Training Center at

. Additionally to his new duties, he was promoted to the rank of

in August 1942. Kingman served in this capacity until 27 April 1944, when he was appointed commanding general of Marine Corps Base San Diego. He was relieved on August 9, 1944, by Brigadier General

Archie F. Howard Archie Franklin Howard (January 29, 1892 – June 24, 1964) was a decorated officer of the United States Marine Corps with the rank of major general who is most noted as commanding general, 6th Marine Division during the Chinese Civil War. He al ...

. Kingman was then transferred to

, where he was attached to the

Office of Strategic Services The Office of Strategic Services (OSS) was the intelligence agency of the United States during World War II. The OSS was formed as an agency of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) to coordinate espionage activities behind enemy lines for all bran ...

. He finally retired from the Marine Corps on October 14, 1944, and held no other command for rest of the war. Brigadier General Matthew H. Kingman died from

cerebral hemorrhage Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), also known as cerebral bleed, intraparenchymal bleed, and hemorrhagic stroke, or haemorrhagic stroke, is a sudden bleeding into the tissues of the brain, into its ventricles, or into both. It is one kind of bleed ...

on November 16, 1946, in

Bethesda Naval Hospital The Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC), formerly known as the National Naval Medical Center and colloquially referred to as the Bethesda Naval Hospital, Walter Reed, or Navy Med, is a United States' tri-service military medi ...

Maryland Maryland ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It shares borders with Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; ...

. He is buried at

Arlington National Cemetery Arlington National Cemetery is one of two national cemeteries run by the United States Army. Nearly 400,000 people are buried in its 639 acres (259 ha) in Arlington, Virginia. There are about 30 funerals conducted on weekdays and 7 held on Sa ...

, together with his wife, Nina Reeves Kingman (1891–1928).

Decorations

Here is the ribbon bar of Brigadier General Matthew H. Kingman:

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kingman, Matthew H. 1890 births 1946 deaths People from Wayne County, Iowa Virginia Military Institute alumni People of the Office of Strategic Services United States Marine Corps generals American military personnel of the Banana Wars United States Marine Corps personnel of World War I United States Marine Corps World War II generals Recipients of the Silver Star Recipients of the Croix de Guerre 1914–1918 (France) Burials at Arlington National Cemetery Military personnel from Iowa