Pre WWII recollections

Colonel Rothwell graduated the Naval Academy in 1936

1936 - His first assignment was as Guard Officer at the Washington Navy Yard in Washington DC. He had three Marine detachments that he was responsible for, the Naval Hospital, a torpedo factory in Alexandria and a Radio Station in Arlington, the detachments handled guard duty at these stations. The Marine Barracks in Washington DC, then as now, have Ceremonial Parades with the Marine Band and various Marine Units. Richard participated in these parades wearing Dress Blues, and in the summer white uniform pants. The military had a Basic course for Officers, however at that time it was felt that Academy people didn't need "basic training" as much as others. He did the course work for Basic School as a correspondence course.

April 1937 - Was sent to Basic School in Philadelphia PA including field training at Indiantown Gap, now a National Guard Training Center.

1937 - After Basic he was sent to the 6th Marines in San Diego Calif and then shipped out to China. The 6th Marines joined the 4th Marines who had been in China since 1927. The following website has the history of the China Marines www.chinamarines.com it is a must read for the history of that part of the world leading up to WWII. The 4th Marines and the 6th Marines formed the 2nd Marine Brigade. There was no 1st Marine Brigade, but since odd numbered units were on the east coast and even numbered units were on the west coast, they naturally became the 2nd Marine Brigade.

The Marines were guarding the International Settlement in Shanghai along Soochow Creek from encrochment by the Japanese. Richard could see the fighting between the Chinese and the Japanese from an observation post on Soochow Creek with his platoon. Sometimes the Japanese fired into the settlement and he could see the Japanese planes dropping bombs. The released them over their heads but they landed across the creek on the Chinese. Watching all this Richard knew that the popular notion of the Japanese Army was wrong, they were very good fighters. He was there until mid 1938

1938 - Sent to the Philippines, Cavite Naval Base and then Alongopo as a Patrol Officer for the Naval Reservation, until 1938 it was only accessable by water when they built a road to it. The reservation had the Navy's store of Mahogony. His job was to protect it against poachers.

1940 - July 1940 Colonel Rothwell went with his wife Phyllis and his young son Richard (Col. Richard Rothwell USMC (Ret)). He became a Company Commander with the 4th Marines. In November 1940 Phyllis and his son Richard were evacuated back the United States.

1941 - Left China to go back to the United States. Richard put in to stay in China until his tour ended but they sent him back to the U.S. His company ended up on Corregidor. Colonel Jack Hawkins USMC (Ret) was Richard XO in 1940 and 1941. He was on Corregidor with Richard old company and was taken prisoner. He and 2 others escaped and fought with the Philippine Guerrillas. He wrote "Never Say Die" a gripping story of the horrors he witnessed at the POW enclosures in the Philippines.