the old freighter as it sailed south from New York. Fortunately, during two stopovers at U.S. ports en route to Cuba, Lt. Col. Huntington managed to institute a schedule of rifle marksmanship, small unit training, and battle drills before the Marines made their assault landing on enemy shores. Heywood was the first commandant to establish a regular system of examinations for officers for promotion and set up the system of officers' schools, which has continued with slight interruption since then. He adopted the current practice of issuing good conduct medals for the betterment of the discipline in the Marine Corps. By increasing the efficiency and morale of the Corps, Heywood hoped to make the Corps an essential auxiliary to the naval service. Under his administration the number of Marine Corps posts were increased from twelve to twenty-one. There was scarcely a regular post at which Maj Gen Heywood was not able to provide new barracks or officers' quarters. By special acts of Congress, Heywood was promoted to brigadier general in March 1899 and to major general on July 2, 1902. He was the first Marine to hold the rank of major general. Major General Heywood closed a most distinguished career of over forty-five years as a commissioned officer in the Marine Corps, when on October 3, 1903, in accordance with law, having attained the age of 64 years, he was placed on the retired list. Eleven years after his retirement, on February 26, 1915, Heywood died from chronic heart disease in Washington, D.C. at the age seventy five. He was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. Gallery Notes References 1839 births 1915 deaths American military personnel of the Spanish–American War Burials at Arlington National Cemetery People of Maine in the American Civil War People from Waterville, Maine Union Marines United States Marine Corps Commandants United States Marine Corps generals