US Marine Corps Recruit Depot - Yearbook (Parris Island, SC)

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ROM their original departing stations, railway passenger train service ends for the re- cruits in nearby Yemassee, S. C. Here Marines from the Receiv- ing Barracks meet each train and take charge of all arriving re- cruits. A short Walk from the train depot brings the recruit to the Receiving Station Where he be- gins his checking in. According to the time of arrival in Yemas- see, the recruit may spend the night in the receiving Barracks or go directly to Parris Island by bus.

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K The navy turned back the Parris Island facilities to the Marine Corps on November 1, 1915, and the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, then stationed at Norfolk, Virginia, moved back to the island, Parris Island has remained in the hands of the United States Marine Corps from that day to the present time. The Government took over the entire island in 1917, and utilized the facilities to train our Marines for World War I. Rediscovering the Old Fort , In 1923, the site of old Charles Fort underwent a careful excavation and most of the stout cedar stockade was found to be still in existence. Such pieces as 5-inch cannon balls and rusted, handwrought iron spikes were found' to add to the island's ancient Indian relics. With much of the ancient fort exposed, photographs were taken, and the area carefully covered over again with sand. Concrete pillars were set to give the corner markers of the fort and the area converted into an attractive park. Prior to 1929, all transportation to and from the island was by way of small boats which operated between the post docks and Port Royal. In that year the Horse Island Bridge and causeways were completed to end the era of Water transportation. The latter additions of the Battery Creek Bridge and the out-going side of the Horse Island Bridge have made for easy access to the island. Construction Changes During 1929 through 1931 economy was the watchword and expansion was curtailed. In 1937, however, existing Main Station barracks were torn down for the construction of the present day brick barracks. Recruit training on a battalion basis was not introduced until August 1940. With the or- ganization of the First Battalion on August 6th came in quick succession the formation of the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Battalions. The intake skyrocketed after Pearl Harbor with 5,272 recruits arriving during that fateful December alone. A record 9,206 arrivals was set in January assthe 9th and 10th Battalions were added to the 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th Battalions. As the War influx continued, five of the existing battalions were sent to New River, North Carolina to train: then the 11th, 12th and 13th Battalions Were activated. Slowdown Commences The eventual cutback started in 1944 when the 12th and 13th Battalions were disbanded. In September, with the intake reduced to 1,556, the 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th Recruit Battalions were deactivated. Towards the end of 1945, Battalions 5 and 6 were finally dis- banded. Between 1941 and 1945 a total of 204,509 recruits were trained at Parris Island. At the time of the Japanese surrender, the island housed 20,000 recruits, the largest number in the history of the Recruit Depot. War's Aftermath After World War II the depot was staggered by one of history's most rapid demobiliza- tions. At one time prior to the outbreak in Korea, only two recruit battalions were in op- eration. In December, 1946, the organization of the Post was revised and the oflicial designation became Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island. Activities on the island began to take a sharp increase in the summer of 1950 when a large number of reserves reported for active duty along with the recruits. Battalions were re-established gradually to handle the increase and in February, 1951, the 7th Battalion was reactivated for the first time since August, 1944. The 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, which formerly trained women marines, was deac- tivated as such on 1 May 1945. On 21 September 1955, the first Women Marine Training Battalion was organized. This is the only female training battalion in existence in the Marine Corps today. Recruit Training Command On 4 May 1956 the Recruit Training Command was organized under the direction of Brig. General Wallace M. Greene, Jr. This command is under the administrative control of the Commanding General of the Depot. 5

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