Col. Albert Sydney McLemore

Notes:

In "The Leatherneck" dated May 12, 1923, an article announced the formation of a new chapter of the "Marine Corps Veteran's Association" in Houston, Texas. The chapter was called the McLemore Detachment in honor of Col. Albert S. McLemore USMC. Col. McLemore served 28 years in the Marine Corps and the article said that during the World War he was in charge of recruiting and publicity and, in 1919, he assumed the duties of Asst. Adjutant and Inspector of the Dept. Of the Pacific. The article announced that the McLemore Detachment has the following officers: N.J. Curtis, George Schleeter, Walter E. Baust, Ira L. Hinton and states that "Marines and ex-Marines who are from Texas, or who have ex-buddies from that state may get full information by writing to Ira L. Hinton, Old Federal Building, Houston, Texas." These former Marines were the "plank-owners' of this Detachment. The Marine Corps Veteran's Association then became the Marine Corps League so our Detachment has roots back to the earliest days. Why it was decided to honor Col McLemore by naming the "chapter" after him has been lost to time. But here is a short biography of Col. A.S. McLemore.

Albert Sydney McLemore was a native of Murfreesboro, TN. Born in 1869, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps on July 1, 1893. He served with the Marine Guard aboard U.S.S. New York in 1894 and aboard U.S.S. Philadelphia from 1895 to 1897. During the Spanish-American War he served with Co. E, First Marine (Huntington's) Battalion, North Atlantic Fleet from April 22, 1898 to September 20, 1898. He was present ashore at Guantanamo, Cuba in defense of Camp McCalla June 11, 12 and 13, 1898 for which he was later appointed Captain by Brevet on March 18, 1901 for "distinguished conduct and public service in the presence of the enemy at Guantanamo, Cuba". This was a particularly high honor in a time when there no decorations in the Naval service to award bravery for officers. The Medal of Honor was reserved for enlisted men only until after the Mexico Campaign in 1914. He had a long career in the Marine Corps serving on numerous ships and stations. By 1917 he had been promoted to Colonel and became Asst. Adjutant and Inspector in the Marine Corps. In 1918 he assumed the duties of Officer-in-Charge of the Marine Corps Recruiting Publicity Bureau in New York, N.Y. He was named to receive a Brevet Medal for his Distinguished Conduct in Cuba in 1898 but he died at Mare Island, CA from cancer on July 13, 1921.

(Research):

Census Listings:

1920 Census
California, San Francisco, District 31
Enumerated 3 jan 1920
SD Fourth Calif ED 152 Sheet 12A Stamped 127
McLemore, Col. Albert Head M W 49 M Tn Tn Tn Officer Marine Corp
McLemore, Maud Wf F W 44 M Ga Ala Ga
McLemore, Albert Son M W 24 S Va Tn Ga Soldier Military
McLemore, Dorothy Dtr F W 18 S Washington, DC Tn Ga

Albert married Maude Stevens on 19 Dec 1894 in Washington, District Of Columbia. Maude was born on 18 Feb 1875 in Griffin, Spalding County, Georgia; died on 15 Jul 1936 in Coronado, San Diego County, California; was buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

(Research):

Census Listings:

1930 Census
Oregon, Polk County, Dallas City, First Ward, Precinct 32 First Dallas
Enumerated April 16, 1930
SD 27-40 SD 2 Sheet 3B
Hayter Street
313-83-98
McLemore, Albert S Head M W 32 M 28 Tn Tn Ga Lumber Inspector Lumber Mill
McLemore, Laura Wf F W 33 M 29 Mo Ga Mo
McLemore, Albert S Son M W 10/12 S Oregon Tn Mo

Family/Spouse: Laura Kaliman Coleman. Laura was born on 4 Jun 1888 in Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri; died on 8 Dec 1967 in Sacramento, Sacramento County, California; was buried in Santa Rosa Memorial Park, Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

California Death Index listing

MANLEY DOROTHY MCLEMORE 01/10/1905 STEVENS MCLEMORE F DIST. OF COLUMBIA SAN DIEGO(37) 10/13/1984 267-66-1394 79 yrs

Notes:

Biography, copied from his FindAGrave memorial page created by Rob Minteer and maintained by Charles E. Carroll:

Cdr. McLemore was the son of Albert Stevens McLemore and Laura Coleman.
He was Commanding Officer of U.S.S. Frank E. Evans DD 754.

Albert Sydney McLemore was born 5 June 1929, at Toledo, Oregon. He was commissioned 17 September 1949, upon graduation from the California Maritime Academy as a Merchant Marine engineer, with a third assistant engineer's license. From 1950 - 1955, Mr. McLemore served aboard USS Titania (AKA 13), USS Suisun (AVP 53), and USS Arnold J. Isbell (DD 869), all in the engineering department, going from assistant engineer to Chief Engineer. In 1953, he qualified as OOD. He also served aboard USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA 31) as Chief Engineer. Mr. Mclemore went to General Line Officer school and then became Officer-In-Charge of the U.S. Navy Radarman School. In 1956 he served as Executive Officer of USS Aludra (AF 55), then served on the staff of Commander Cruiser Destroyer Squadron 25 Pearl Harbor as Chief Staff Officer and Operations Officer. CDR McLemore assumed command of USS Frank E. Evans (DD 754) on 26 March 1968.

Cdr. McLemore lived with his wife in San Pedro, California. They had five sons. His significant awards include the Republic of Vietnam Distinguished Service, Navy Commendation (2), Navy Unit Commendation, China Service, American Defense, Navy Occupation, National Defense, Korean Service (5 stars), Vietnam Service (5 stars), Vietnam Gallantry Cross, Korean Presidential Unit Citation, UN Service, and Republic of Vietnam Campaign.

He linked on FindAGrave to his wife, Alice Ann McLemore (19 Apr 1929-14 May 2008). Her maiden name is not known.