OFFICE OF THE CHIEF PAYMASTER, U. S. MARINES, FRANCE.
In obedience to orders dated October 2, 1917, and in compliance with provisions of G. H. Q. General Orders No. 38(2), September 17, 1917, the “Office of the Chief Paymaster, U. S. Marines, France,” was established in Paris, France, on October 5, 1917. Maj. Davis B. Wills was Chief Paymaster, U. S. Marines, France, from that date until the office was abolished in August, 1919.
Chapter XXVII.
QUARTERMASTER’S DEPARTMENT.
Brig. Gen. Charles L. McCawley, was the Quartermaster of the United States Marine Corps, with station at Headquarters, during the entire war. Brig. Gen. McCawley, in company with the Major General Commandant, sailed from the United States on board the Leviathan September 29, 1918, arriving at Brest, France, October 7, 1918. After an extended visit to the Marines as an observer Brig. Gen. McCawley sailed from Brest on board the De Kalb December 9, 1918, arriving in the United States, December 16, 1918.
Upon the increase of the Marine Corps from 17,400 to 30,000 and later to 75,500, it became necessary to increase the commissioned, warrant, and enlisted personnel of the quartermaster’s department, in order that it might successfully meet the heavy demands made upon it by the war and by the large increase in strength.
The increase in the commissioned personnel was made largely by the promotion of experienced quartermaster clerks and quartermaster sergeants to commissioned rank, and the vacancies in the grade of quartermaster sergeant were filled, as far as possible, from selected enlisted men.
Later a school for the instruction of quartermaster sergeants was organized at Marine barracks, Norfolk, and three classes were graduated therefrom.
It was necessary to make large increases in the personnel at headquarters to handle the question of supply, transportation, construction, and finance. The table below shows the strength in the office of the quartermaster on January 1, 1917, and June 30, 1918:
| Grade. | Jan. 1, 1917. | June 30, 1918. |
| Commissioned officers | 4 | 9 |
| Warrant officers | .. | 12 |
| Special assistant | .. | 1 |
| Technical engineer | .. | 1 |
| Clerical force: | ||
| Civilians | 10 | 8 |
| Enlisted (regular) | 43 | 53 |
| Enrolled (reservists) | .. | 111 |
| Total | 57 | 195 |