Tiptonville in Lake County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

General Clifton Bledsoe Cates

1893 - 1970

— United States Marine Corps —

General Clifton Bledsoe Cates Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Judith Barber, February 5, 2013

1. General Clifton Bledsoe Cates Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

First Marine Division on Guadalcanal during World War II. As a Brigadier General, Cates commanded the Fourth Marine Division during the conquest of Tinian and Iwo Jima in 1944. Cates was the first Tennessean to achieve the rank of full general. From 1948 to 1952, General Cates served as the 19th Commandant of the Marine Corps. Wounded seven times, General Cates received many American and foreign medals. A member of the U.S. Marine Corps for thirty-seven years, General Cates’ military service extended to the Korean War. He died in 1970 and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

Erected by General Cates Memorial Committee.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1944.

Location. 36° 21.993′ N, 89° 25.995′ W. Marker is in Tiptonville, Tennessee, in Lake County. Marker is at the intersection of Lake Drive (Tennessee Route 21) and American Legion Loop, on the right when traveling north on Lake Drive. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2390 Hwy 21, Tiptonville TN 38079, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker

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, measured as the crow flies. Civilian Conservation Corps and Reelfoot Lake State Park (approx. ¼ mile away); Reelfoot Lake (approx. ¼ mile away); Tiptonville Presbyterian Church (approx. 2½ miles away); a different marker also named General Clifton Bledsoe Cates (approx. 2.9 miles away); Capture of Island No. 10 (approx. 2.9 miles away); Reelfoot — An Earthquake Lake (approx. 4.6 miles away); Confederate Burials (approx. 5.3 miles away); Confederate Forts & Batteries (approx. 5.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tiptonville.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 9, 2021. It was originally submitted on February 9, 2013, by Judith Barber of Marietta, Georgia. This page has been viewed 543 times since then and 20 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on February 9, 2013, by Judith Barber of Marietta, Georgia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.

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