World War II

2nd Battalion 24th Regiment 4th Marine Division

    Upon joining the Fourth Marine Division from the Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, in August 1943, the then Major Rothwell was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 24th Regiment as Executive Officer (XO) to Lieutenant Colonel Brink, Commanding Officer (CO) 2/24.

  Shortly after joining 2/24, he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and continued as Executive Officer until 2/24’s return to Maui from the Roi-Namur operation, when he succeeded Lt. Col. Brink as C.O. Lt Col Brink has also been promoted, he to Colonel, and transferred. Thereafter, Lt Col Rothwell remained as C.O. until Division deactivation in 1945** This period also marked the longest time in combat of 4th Marine Division infantry battalion C.O.’s, from the start of Saipan to the end of the Iwo Jima operations.

 ** Footnote: Except for period at the end of the Saipan operation when hospitalized with Dengue fever. Second in Command Major Frank e. Garretson 2-24 took over the battalion until D+3 when Lt. Col. Rothwell resumed command of 2-24. Maj. Garretson resumed as XO 2-24..

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