Marines

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Retired Marine Col. Charles H. Lyman IV joined by his wife, Betsy Lyman, hold memorial plaque in recognition of his grandfather Maj. Gen. Lyman II, in which Lyman Park is named after. The plaque was gifted to the Lincoln Family Housing Center in rememberance of Lyman IV grandfather's acomplishments.

Photo by Jeremy Beale

Lyman family donates plaque in memory of Maj. Gen. Charles H. Lyman

16 Mar 2017 | Jeremy Beale/Staff Writer and Valerie O'Berry/Editor Marine Corps Base Quantico

Tucked within 65,000-acres of Marine Corps Base Quantico sits Lyman Park, a residential community of Lincoln Military Housing, with a long, rich history, which includes how it got its name.

Retired Marine Col. Charles H. Lyman IV, joined by his wife Betsy Lyman, recently visited Lincoln Military Housing to dedicate a plaque in honor of his late grandfather, Maj. Gen. Charles H. Lyman II, for which Lyman Park neighborhood was named. Lyman IV’s intention in giving the plaque to the housing community was to commemorate his grandfather’s career in the Marine Corps and let people know how Lyman Park got its name. Lyman IV said the idea has been years in the making and he presented the plaque at this time in honor of what would have been his father’s 100th birthday and 100 years of service in the Marine Corps by the Lyman family.

Lyman II served in the Marine Corps from 18991939. He served in both the enlisted ranks, as a first sergeant with the DC Volunteers during the Spanish American War, as well as a commissioned officer and is credited with doing many outstanding things during his time in service, earning him the rank of major general, many commendations and the honor of having Lyman Park neighborhood named after him.

According to a newspaper clip from an old edition of the Quantico Sentry, which was provided by the Lyman family, Lyman II was the first commanding general of the Fleet Marine Force located at Quantico. In 1936 became commanding general of Marine Corps Base Quantico and led an effort to beautify Quantico, while at the same time increasing morale and welfare activities aboard the base for Marines and their families to enjoy. His efforts made the base the most desirable billet in the Marine Corps for duty at the time.

Scenically, the base under Lyman II’s command underwent a metamorphosis and changed the perception of Quantico from being a base that "old-timers described as untidy with erosive clay banks" into the base it is known as today. The article specifically addressed the approach to the base as being changed to be more beautiful and colorful. Lyman II also had a hand in adding recreational facilities to the base, including a bowling alley, what is known today as the Medal of Honor Golf Course as well as a swimming pool, which attracted military children from all over northern Virginia.

"There were also other improvements conductive to the pursuit of athletics and recreation too numerous to enumerate," according to the article.

Before serving at Quantico, Lyman II was attached to 10 different naval ships and performed duties in Mexico, China, the Philippine Islands, Panama, Cuba, Alaska, Santo Domingo, Parris Island, San Diego and others. While serving in Santo Domingo in 1922, he volunteered himself as a hostage to affect the surrender of Gen. Ramon Nateras, one of the area’s top bandit leaders. Within six weeks all the bandit leaders presented themselves to then-Col. Lyman (or his successor) ending five years of bandit warfare.

Lyman II’s military service seems to have inspired generations of family members to serve in the Marine Corps, making it somewhat of a tradition in the family. Family members serving in the Marine Corps include:

• Lyman II’s sister-in-law (1918)

• Lyman II’s son, Col. Andrew Irvine Lyman (1940-1967)

• Grandson, Lyman IV (1969-1995)

• And great-grandson Lyman V, who joined the Corps in 2008 and is currently a sergeant in the Marine Corps. So far, Lyman V has been deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

• Lyman II’s other son, Lyman III, became a Navy rear admiral, serving from 1926 to 1965. A trust has been established in Rear Admiral and Mrs. Lyman’s name that for many years has provided generous grants to family programs at Navy and Marine Corps bases, including Quantico.

According to Lyman IV, his lineage has spanned the course of multiple generations, but with the placing of the Lyman plaque, their memory will remain on Quantico for many years to come.

The new plaque is currently on display in the Family Center of Lincoln Military Housing on a wall to the right of the entrance way. For more information on the amenities Lincoln Military Family Center and Lyman Park offer visit their website at lincolnmilitary.com.


Marine Corps Base Quantico