Major General Charles Heywood (October 3, 1839 – February 26, 1915) was the ninth Commandant of the Marine Corps. He served as an officer for over 45 years and was the first Marine to reach the rank of major general. During Heywood's term as Commandant, the size of the Corps more than tripled, from 2,175 Marines to 7,810 total. Biography Early career Charles Heywood was born on October 3, 1839, in Waterville, Maine, son of Charles Heywood, a lieutenant in the U. S. Navy, who had distinguished himself in the defense of San José del Cabo during the Mexican American War. He was appointed second lieutenant in the Marine Corps from New York, on April 5, 1858. During that year, he was stationed at the Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C., and at Brooklyn, New York. While on duty in Brooklyn, he served in the 1858 quarantine riots at Staten Island, New York. He performed special duty on and later on board , of the Home Squadron, the ship seeking filibusters in Central America. He was invalided from Aspinwall (Colón), Panama, in January 1860, and later was ordered to the sloop of war , flagship of the Squadron of Observation at Vera Cruz, Mexico. In March 1861, he returned to duty on board Cumberland and with that vessel took part in the destruction of the Norfolk Navy Yard during the Civil War. In May 1861, 2nd Lt Heywood was promoted to first lieutenant, and as such landed with the Marines at Hatteras Inlet, where he was present at the capture of both Fort Clark and Fort Hatteras. He was advanced to captain in November of that year, and during the winter of 1861–62 participated actively in a number of boat expeditions in the James River. In the fight between Cumberland and in March 1862, his conduct was particularly noteworthy while commanding the after gun deck division, firing the last gun in the fight and saving himself by jumping overboard as Cumberland went down with her flag flying. He was most favorably mentioned for his gallant conduct and received the brevet rank of major for his services during the engagement. For some time afterwards, he was actively employed, both on shore and at sea, in the search for the notorious raider , until he applied for duty on board the flagship . He was ordered to that vessel as Fleet Marine Officer of