Brigadier General Jacob Zeilin, A Marine's Story
Brigadier General Jacob Zeilin, A Marine's Story
Jacob Zeilin was born on July 16, 1806, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His military career would span more than four decades and help shape the institutional identity of the United States Marine Corps.
Zeilin entered the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1822 but left before graduating in 1825. Despite this early departure, he later received a commission in the United States Marine Corps on October 1, 1831, beginning a long career of sea duty, expeditionary service, and command.
His early assignments included shore duty at the naval yards in Philadelphia and Virginia, followed by sea service aboard the USS Erie beginning in 1832. Returning to shore duty in 1836, Zeilin served at yards in Massachusetts and New York before being assigned aboard the USS Columbus in 1842. These deployments took him along the coast of South America and to Brazil, reflecting the growing global presence of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.
In 1845, Zeilin transferred to the USS Congress as tensions escalated into the Mexican–American War. During that conflict, he participated in major operations on the Pacific coast, including the Conquest of California, the Battle of the San Gabriel River, the Capture of Los Angeles, and the Battle of La Mesa. He was briefly appointed commandant at San Diego before returning south to participate in the capture of Guaymas and Mazatlán.
Following the Mexican campaign, Zeilin was assigned to the Perry Expedition, landing with Commodore Matthew Perry during the historic American mission to Japan that helped open Japanese ports to Western trade. His service during this period reflected the Marine Corps’ growing role in diplomacy and power projection.
As the Civil War approached, Zeilin served on shore duty at Norfolk, Washington, and Wabash. At the outbreak of the war, he commanded Marine barracks in Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. He oversaw Union Marine forces during the First Battle of Bull Run in July 1861, where he was slightly wounded. He later held yard commands in New Hampshire as the war continued.
On July 10, 1864, Zeilin was appointed Colonel Commandant of the United States Marine Corps, the service's senior leadership position. He was promoted to brigadier general on March 2, 1867. During his tenure, Brigadier General Zeilin formally approved the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor as the official emblem of the Marine Corps, an enduring symbol that continues to represent Marines worldwide.
Brigadier General Jacob Zeilin retired from active service on November 1, 1876. He died on November 18, 1880, and is buried at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller traveling through life
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