Tiptonville in Lake County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
General Clifton Bledsoe Cates
1893 - 1970
— United States Marine Corps —
Photographed By Craig Swain, March 17, 2009
1. General Clifton Bledsoe Cates Marker (Front)
Clifton B. Cates, born on August 31, 1893, in Cates Landing, Tennessee, attended school in Lake County and the Missouri Military Academy in Mexico, Missouri. A graduate of the University of Tennessee's School of Law, Cates served as a Marine in both the First and Second World Wars. His service included combat duty in five operations in World War I and four operations in World War II. After service in China with the fabled Fourth Marines, he commanded the Second Battalion, Sixth Marines in 1937. Then Colonel Cates led the First Marine Regiment, First Marine Division, on Guadalcanal during World War II.
Continued on opposite side
(Back):
As a Major 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, he served as the 19th Commandant of the Marine Corps. Wounded seven times, General Cates received many American and foreign medals. A marine for thirty-seven years, General Cates died on June 4, 1970. His remains are interred in Arlington National Cemetery.
Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 4B 37.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Military
this page online
Location. 36° 22.64′ N, 89° 29.027′ W. Marker is in Tiptonville, Tennessee, in Lake County. Marker is at the intersection of South Court Street and Haynes Street, on the right when traveling north on South Court Street. Located near the County Court House. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Tiptonville TN 38079, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Capture of Island No. 10 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Tiptonville Presbyterian Church (approx. half a mile away); a different marker also named General Clifton Bledsoe Cates (approx. 2.9 miles away); Reelfoot Lake (approx. 3 miles away); Civilian Conservation Corps and Reelfoot Lake State Park (approx. 3 miles away); Confederate Burials (approx. 4 miles away); a different marker also named Capture of Island No. 10 (approx. 4.6 miles away); Confederate Forts & Batteries (approx. 4.6 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.
Photographed By Craig Swain, March 17, 2009
2. Back of Marker
Photographed By Craig Swain, March 17, 2009
3. General Clifton Bledsoe Cates Marker
Photographed By Craig Swain, March 17, 2009
4. The Town of Cates Landing Today
The landing is now "landlocked" with the changes to the river channel and flood control measures. This photo was taken from the nearby Island No. 10 marker platform.
Official USMC Photo
5. General Clifton B. Cates
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on April 25, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,600 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 25, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
