Brigadier General Clayton Oliver Totman U.S.M.C.

[kanemono]

next..

[Guest Mark Scease]

Here is a group to Brigadier Clayton Osborne Totman U.S.M.C. Second Lieutenant C.O. Totman was discharged from the Officer's Reserve Corps of the Army of the United States and joined the United States Marine Corps on July 19, 1935. He retired as a Brigadier General. I have a group General Totman's documents, photographs, letters, medals and other items mainly from the period he was in Shanghai, China and Alaska from 1935 to 1941. The group was broken up at some point so I have many items from his early career. He fought in WWII and Korea. I have sent for his records but haven't received any information at this point. The reason I know he retired as a Brigadier General there is a Tobacco Humidor presented to him at that rank. I was able to find copies of letters he wrote home about his service in China and at Soochow Creek in the collection of the University of Massachusetts Amherst. I think you will enjoy reading them.

Here is a picture of his cover with early 1930's EGA, his set of service EGA's, the map case and maps he wore at Soochow Creel, his Field Message Book with many messages he wrote at Soochow Creek, his miniature medals including a miniature Soochow Creek Medal and his swagger stick. Also, the pile of documents, letters and photographs mainly dealing with his service in China.

 

Thank you for the posting. I knew the general when I was a wee lad in Waldoboro, Maine back around 1970. I remember him fondly from several weekends spent on his farm spent walking through the forest behind the house as he instructed my callow self in the ways of woods and nature. Most impressive character, as I look back at his life, but at the time he was a kindly thoughtful gentleman who gave me my first lessons in marksmanship and the handling of firearms. My dad must have made a deal with him, because I remember the following weekend being taken up with planting a few rows of seedling pines, that were still fronting Friendship Street last time I passed by. One day, I'll make it to the University of Massachusetts Amherst and peruse the family letters.

Thank you again for sharing your most excellent collection.

[Sand Flea]

Outstanding collection! Thank you for sharing it with us all. These are the types of historical perspectives you simply cannot read in a book.

[Scarecrow]

I know that this is a very old topic but wanted to add an item I recently acquired that belonged to General Totman at one time.  Acquired from a Massachusetts Auction House.  Box measures 18 X 14  X 7.