Career Marine

1945 - 1961

After participation in the Fourth Marine Division deactivation process, Lt. Col. Rothwell was ordered to Quantico where his first duty was with the Base C.G’s office as G-3 (Operations Officer) and Base Post Inspector, waiting entry at the next start of the Amphibious Warfare School class. Following graduation from AWS, became Supervisor of Instruction at the Basic School for the next two years. Then it was back to the West Coast for duty with the Navy afloat, based in Long Beach and San Diego, as Fleet Marine Officer for the Pacific Fleet Force of Battleships – Cruisers and replacement Cruisers – Destroyers. Latter force replaced the former with the battleships demise in 1949.

 There was to be more duty with the Navy, but ashore, following the next assignment as a student, Army War College, Carlyle PA. Upon graduation from AWC I 1952 was assigned to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO). Strategic Plane Division as Head, Navy Plane Review Section. After three years of this Pentagon “E” Ring duty was ordered back to the West Coast for more duty with the FMF, specifically with the 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton. First as Officer in Charge of Desert Exercises, then Chief of Staff 1st Marine Division and lastly as C.O. 5th Marine Regiment that son Richard would command 30 years later.

A final round of duties started and ended in the Washington DC area starting at Headquarters Marine Corps as Assistant Inspector General of the Marine Corps. One final assignment being with the Staff, National Security Council as a member of a sub-committee reporting directly to the President of the United States only.

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