Ben Hebard Fuller (February 27, 1870 – June 8, 1937) was a major general in the United States Marine Corps and served as the 15th Commandant of the Marine Corps between 1930 and 1934.
Biography
Born in Big Rapids, Michigan, Fuller was a member of the United States Naval Academy class of 1889. After serving two years of service as a naval cadet, a requirement at the time before commissioning, he was appointed a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps on July 1, 1891. He, with six other members of his class, attended the first course for new Marine officers at the School of Application, which was the prototype for today's Basic School. Together, they had two children.
Captain Fuller participated in the Second Battle of Noveleta, Philippine Islands on October 8, 1899, and was commended for gallant, meritorious, and courageous conduct in the Battle of Tientsin, China on July 13, 1900.
Following the death of the Commandant, Major General Wendell C. Neville on July 9, 1930, Brigadier General Fuller was promoted to major general and appointed Commandant of the Marine Corps. He served in that capacity until March 1, 1934, when he was retired from active service, having attained the statutory retirement age of sixty-four years.
Promotion history
- Second Lieutenant, July 1, 1891
- First Lieutenant, March 16, 1893
- Captain, March 3, 1899
- Major, December 27, 1903
- Lieutenant colonel, February 3, 1911
- Colonel, August 29, 1916
- Brigadier General (temporary), July 1, 1918
- Brigadier General, February 8, 1924
- Major General August 7, 1930
- Commandant of the Marine Corps, August 7, 1930
Medals and decoration
Fuller held the following medals and decorations: