1. Jacob Zeilin was the United States Marine Corps' first non-brevet flag officer.
15 Facts About Jacob Zeilin
1. 2.
Jacob Zeilin served as the seventh commandant of the United States Marine Corps, from 1864 to 1876.
3.
Jacob Zeilin attended the United States Military Academy from 1822 to 1825, but dropped out due to poor grades in philosophy and chemistry.
4.
Jacob Zeilin first went to sea on board the sloop of war Erie in March 1832, which was followed by a tour of duty at Charlestown, Massachusetts.
5.
Jacob Zeilin was promoted to first lieutenant on 12 September 1836.
6.
From September 1837 to April 1841, Jacob Zeilin again served at Charlestown, Massachusetts, and New York.
7.
Jacob Zeilin took part in the conquest of California and was brevetted to the rank of major for gallantry during the action at the San Gabriel River crossing on January 9,1847.
8.
On 28 January 1847, Jacob Zeilin was appointed Military Commandant of San Diego and served in that capacity until the completion of the conquest of California.
9.
Jacob Zeilin was promoted to the regular rank of captain on 14 September 1847.
10.
Jacob Zeilin was the second person to set foot on shore at the formal landing of the naval forces at Kurihama, Yokosuka, Japan on 14 July 1853, and was one of those later accorded special honor for his part in the expedition that opened the doors of Japan to the outside world.
11.
In 1863, Jacob Zeilin was given command of the battalion of US Marines sent to support the naval force whose mission was the capture of Charleston, South Carolina, but, because of illness, he returned after a few weeks of this duty to garrison duty at Marine Barracks, Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
12.
In 1864, Jacob Zeilin assumed command of the Marine Barracks at Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
13.
In 1868, Jacob Zeilin approved of the design of the "Eagle, Globe, and Anchor," as the emblem for the Marine Corps.
14.
Jacob Zeilin retired from the Marine Corps on November 1,1876, after serving over forty-five years as a Marine Corps officer.
15.
General Jacob Zeilin was a member of the Pennsylvania Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, a military society of officers who served in the Union armed forces.