Samuel M. Harrington

Samuel Milby Harrington
Harrington while served with Guardia Nacional de Nicaragua
Born	(1882-11-13)November 13, 1882 Annapolis, Maryland
Died	March 31, 1948(1948-03-31) (aged 65) Annapolis, Maryland
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Marine Corps
Years of service	1909-1945
Rank	Brigadier General
Commands held	5th Marine Regiment
Battles/wars	Haitian Campaign Dominican Campaign World War I Nicaraguan Campaign World War II
Awards	Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Relations	RADM Purnell F. Harrington, USN (Father)

Samuel Milby Harrington (November 13, 1882 - March 31, 1948) was an Officer of the United States Marine Corps with the rank of Brigadier General. His last service assignment was the President of Permanent General Court Martial Board during the World War II. He is the author of The Strategy and Tactics of Small Wars from 1921 and co-author of Small Wars Manual.

Early years

Samuel M. Harrington was born on November 13, 1882 in Annapolis, Maryland as the son of future Rear admiral Purnell F. Harrington and his wife Mia Nelthropp. He attended the Yale University and graduated in 1906 with Bachelor of Arts. After graduation, Harrington work for some time as Cub reporter for New York Evening Sun and subsequently in W. R. Grace and Company. Finally Harrington Jr. decided to follow his father's military career and entered the United States Marine Corps on January 6, 1909. Because of his University education, he was offered officer's rank, which he accepted and was commissioned a Second lieutenant of Marines on the date of his entry to the Corps.

Because of his lack of military training, he was first assigned to one-year officer course at Marine Corps Officers School at Port Royal, South Carolina (present MCRD Parris Island). He finnished the course on December 29, 1909 and was assigned to the Marine Detachment aboard the battleship USS Idaho. He sailed with the ship across the Atlantic Ocean as a part of the Third Division of the Atlantic Fleet and finnished his voyage first in England, and then in France. Harrington returned to Guantanamo Bay in early 1911.

After his return back, Harrington was promoted to the rank of First lieutenant on May 23, 1911 and transferred to the Marine Base at Norfolk Navy Yard, where he served as Post Quartermaster. As a member of the 1st Marine Brigade, he served briefly in the Philippines during the Moro Rebellion and then transferred to the American Legation Guard in Peking, China. He served there first with 38th Company, before he was appointed Post Adjutant in 1914.

Middle of Career^[1]

Samuel M. Harrington would remain in Peking, China until June 1916 when he was ordered to participate in an expeditionary force in Santo Domingo, a duty he served with until 1918. Samuel M. Harrington would return to the United States in early 1918 and would promptly serve with a number of different military installations in a myriad of locations. The chart below depicts Samuel M. Harrington's military career until the breakout of the Second World War.(Quantico Marine Barracks and Fort Benning) until 1922. From 1922 until 1925 Samuel M. Harrington served as Department Commander with the Gendarmerie D'Haiti.

World War II

With the United States entry to the World War II, Brigadier general Harrington already served as Commandant of Marine Corps Schools within Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia. This schools under his command served as main facility, where all Marine officers receive their basic training here, as well as enlisted technicians from many different disciplines. Harrington was relieved January 1, 1943 and retired on the same date.

Howewer he remained on active duty and was appointed the President of the Marine Corps Equipment Board, staying in this capacity until July 1943. His next assignment was with Permanent General Court Martial Board, where he served until February 1945, when he retired from the Marine Corps.

For his long military service in the United States Marine Corps, Brigadier general Harrington was decorated with the Navy Distinguished Service Medal.

Personal life

On July 27, 1921 Brigadier general Samuel M. Harrington married Marion Nutting Meehan, daughter of Willard Holmes and Margaret Jessie (Wallace) Nutting. They went on to have two children together, a son named Samuel Milby Harrington Jr. and daughter named Margaret Willard Harrington.

Brigadier general Samuel M. Harrington died on March 31, 1948 in Annapolis, Maryland following a complications of Arteriosclerosis. He is buried at United States Naval Academy Cemetery.^[2]

Decorations

Here is the ribbon bar of Brigadier General Harrington:

Further reading

• Samuel Harrington Papers - personal letters sent to his father and mother spanning 1901-1920 depicting his daily activities in the United States Marine Corps.
  • Robertson, Nancy (August 1982). Samuel Milby Harrington Papers. Manuscripts and Archives, Yale University Library. 

References