Marine Barracks Great Lakes Naval Center, Illinois

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Branch

U.S. Marine Corps

Members

About Marine Barracks Great Lakes Naval Center, Illinois

Marine Barracks Great Lakes Naval Center, Illinois, was established in 1911 to provide security, ceremonial duties, and administrative support for the Great Lakes Naval Training Station, the U.S. Navy’s primary basic training facility in the Midwest. Throughout both World Wars, Marines stationed at the barracks played a crucial role in maintaining order and safeguarding naval assets, as the center trained hundreds of thousands of recruits. The unit’s responsibilities included gate security, honor guard functions, and the supervision of naval prisoners. Although the Marine Barracks was decommissioned in the mid-1980s as part of broader military restructuring, its legacy endures as a testament to the close cooperation between the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps in training and readiness.

Unit Members

John Parish

U.S. Marine Corps

Marine Barracks Great Lakes Naval Center, IllinoisView Profile

Cyril Wardle

U.S. Marine Corps

Marine Barracks Great Lakes Naval Center, IllinoisView Profile

Photos

U.S. Marine Corps

115 Phantom in Chu Lai

VMFA-115 • U.S. Marine Corps • 1970

U.S. Marine Corps • 1976

About Marine Barracks Great Lakes Naval Center, Illinois

About this Unit

Historical Facts

• Unique Marine Presence: The Marine Barracks at Great Lakes Naval Center was a unique installation, as it was the only Marine Corps unit permanently stationed within a purely Navy training command in the Midwest. • Establishment: The Marine Barracks was established in 1911, only a year after the Great Lakes Naval Training Station opened, to provide security, ceremonial duties, and support to the rapidly growing base. • Guarding the Gates: Marines at Great Lakes were traditionally entrusted with guarding the main gates, armories, and sensitive areas, reinforcing the longstanding reputation of Marines as elite sentinels. • World War I and II Roles: During both World Wars, the Marine Barracks played a crucial role in providing security for the huge influx of Navy recruits and resources passing through the base. • Discipline and Drill: Marines stationed at Great Lakes often assisted with military drill instruction for Navy recruits, instilling discipline and military bearing in thousands of future sailors. • Notable Ceremonial Duties: The Marine Barracks provided color guards and firing parties for countless ceremonies, funerals, and parades in the Chicago area and at the base, becoming a familiar sight to the local community. • Famous Alumni: Several Marines who served at the Great Lakes Barracks later went on to distinguished military careers, including Medal of Honor recipients and senior Marine Corps leaders. • Integration and Diversity: The Marine Barracks at Great Lakes was among the first to integrate African American Marines after President Truman’s 1948 Executive Order, reflecting broader changes in the U.S. military. • Disbandment: The Marine Barracks was deactivated in 1996 as part of military restructuring, ending over 85 years of Marine presence at Great Lakes. Its legacy remains in the base’s traditions and history. • Community Relations: Marines from the Barracks regularly participated in local outreach, parades, and charity events, fostering strong ties with the people of Illinois and helping shape a positive image of the Corps in the Midwest.