Percival C. Pope


Percival Clarence Pope was an American officer who served in the United States Marine Corps during the American Civil War. He received the Marine Corps Brevet Medal for bravery.

Early life

Pope was born February 28, 1841, at the Charlestown Navy Yard, Boston, Massachusetts, and was the son of the Union Navy officer Commodore John Pope.

Military career

When the American Civil War started in 1861, he was only 21 but accepted an appointment in the United States Navy, on board the steam-sloop USS Richmond, which was commanded by his father. While aboard the Richmond, he and the other members of the crew participated in engagements from October 12–13, 1861, while on blockade duty at the Passes of the Mississippi River.
He accepted a commission in the Marine Corps in 1861 and served continuously for 44 years, retiring as a colonel in 1905 although he was promoted to brigadier general on the retired list. Although two Marine Corps officers were awarded the Brevet Medal for service during the Civil War, Pope is the only one to receive it because the other recipient, James Forney, died before it could be presented. During the second inaugural parade for President William McKinley, Pope commanded a Marine regiment.
General Pope was a First Class Companion of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States.
He died at his home in Milton, Massachusetts, January 22, 1922, and is buried in Cedar Grove Cemetery, Dorchester, Massachusetts.
A complete set of Pope's awards, including his Brevet Medal, are on display at the Navy Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. His Brevet Medal is the only known original Marine Corps Brevet Medal on public display.

Marine Corps Brevet Medal citation

Pope was given two citations in 1921 for service in the Civil War, one from the President of the United States and another from the Secretary of the Navy.

Presidential citation

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Secretary of the Navy citation

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