16th Battalion United States Marine Corps Reserve

Collection on the 16th Battalion United States Marine Corps Reserve
S1242
1939 to 1990
1 folder
Return to the Alphabetical List of All Online Finding Aids

Processed by: Ruth Light, September 2006

Biographical Note:

The 16th Battalion, United States Marine Corps Reserve was the first to be organized in an inland city of the United States.  The battalion was formed in 1930 when several former Marines conceived of the idea and set forth to gain the necessary support needed from the Indianapolis community.  At this time, the Reserve was facing financial difficulties, and the 16th Battalion as well as numerous others did not receive pay for drills and training and provided their own uniforms.  However, in 1935 General John H. Russell set into motion important developments that organized the Reserve and reorganized previous Reserve organizations into 13 battalions in various cities.  The 16th Battalion in Indianapolis also benefited from these developments.  On September 10, 1936, the unit was officially recognized by the Marine Corps Headquarters, and reorganized with two line companies and one headquarter company.  In 1940, the battalion was combined with the Second Battalion, Fifth Marines Fleet Force to form the Sixteenth Provisional Battalion.  During World War II, the battalion was absorbed in the 2nd and 3rd Marine Divisions, and involved in the Pacific front of the war, in places such as Wake Island, Guadalcanal, and Okinawa.

Sources:

Heinl, Robert Debs, Jr. Solders of the Sea: The United States Marine Corps, 1775-1962. Annapolis, Maryland: The United States Naval Institute, 1962.

Materials within the collection.

Scope and Content Note:

The collection consists of photocopied materials regarding the creation and history of the 16th Battalion United States Marine Corps.  Within the collection there are photographs showing the newly recognized 16th Battalion at San Diego, California and Quantico, Virginia bases where the unit received training.  There is also an announcement of the unit’s mobilization to active duty that includes a list of Marines in the unit.  Finally there is information regarding the 50 year reunion which took place in 1990.

Item Listing:

1939 Image of Battalion in Tomlinson Hall
1939 Image of Battalion in Tomlinson Hall
1939 Image of Battalion in Tomlinson Hall
1940 Nov. 8 Change Sheet 313 for Battalion
1940 Image of Governor Schricker and two Battalion men in Tomlinson Hall
1940 Image of 16th Reserve Battalion, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, Fleet Marine Force, in Quantico, Virgina, 2 p.
1941 Image of Battalion in San Diego, California
circa 1940s “History of the 16th Battalion, United States Marine Corps Reserve,” photocopied article
circa 1940s Image of Major Albert W. Paul
circa 1940s Image of Captain William C. Smith
circa 1940s Collection of images of 1st Lieutenant H.B. Meek, 1st Lieutenant W.S. Campbell, Lieutenant L.D. Bibler, and 2nd Lieutenant R.B. Shephard
circa 1940s Image of First Sergeant C.A. Mudd, Staff Sergeant E.R. Biller, Sergeant L.M. Henderson, and P.F.C. W.L. Weaver
circa 1940s Image of the Drum and Bugle Corps
1990 Invitation to 50 year reunion for the Battalion
1990 “Broomstick Brigade rides again,” photocopied newspaper article discussing the pending 50 year reunion of the 16th Battalion
undated Image of United States and Sixteenth Reserve Battalion flags

Collection Information:

Size of Collection:
1 folder (18 items)
 
Collection Dates:
1939-1990, undated
 
Provenance:
James Hightshue, 12 July 2005
 
Access: This collection is open for research.
Restrictions:
None
 
Reproduction Rights:
Permission to reproduce, exhibit, or publish material in this collection must be obtained from the Manuscript Section, Indiana State Library.  Possession of a reproduction from an Indiana State Library collection does not constitute permission for use.
 
Language Materials are entirely in English
Alternate Formats:
None
 
Related Holdings:
 
 
Notes:

Photocopying Policy:

Manuscript materials CANNOT be photocopied or digitized in their entirety. Photocopies and/or digital images cannot exceed 25% of a collection or a folder within a collection. In some cases, photocopying may not be permitted due to the condition of the item. Check with a Manuscript Librarian for other options.