During the First World War the Marines of the 5th and 6th Marine Regiment's 4th Marine Brigade, 2nd Division, United States Army, saw and participated in some of the first tank infantry assaults of recorded history.  Among those who witnessed these attacks were a few far-sighted officers, who, after the war, were to fight later on to convince the Department of the Navy that the Marine Corps should have at least one platoon of tanks. 

     But with the end of the War to End All Wars,  it was a long, hard uphill fight to get the military purse strings loosened up enough to afford a Tank Platoon.  Never the less, one was authorized in 1923.  It is a sad note that the names of these far sighted officers cannot be found, due to the red tape of history. 

     Thus with the reluctant blessings of the Great White Fathers of the Navy Department in Washington, the first of a long line of Marine Corps tank units was formed.  It was officially designated "Light Tank Platoon USMC" at Quantico, Virginia, on December 5th 1923.  The Platoon consisted of  twenty two enlisted men and two officers.  The Commanding Officer was Captain Leslie G. Wayt, and the Executive Officer was Second Lieutenant Charles S. Finch. 

     The Platoon was issued three, six-ton light tanks.  These tanks had been built in the United States during 1918 under license from the French Government.  They were copies of the famous French Renault FT-17 of the First World War.  Built to U.S. specifications, they had an ACF Buda Marine Engine, and two of them mounted Browning .30 cal. machine guns.  The other one mounted a French 37mm Puteaux one-pounder infantry cannon.  One of the reasons that this tank was so famous, was that it was the first tank to successfully mount a weapon in a fully 360 degree traversing turret.  Even though it was called the Six Ton Light Tank, it's total weight was 7.8 tons.  With that weight powered by the four cylinder engine, it could really gallop along at a fast 5 1/2 miles per hour.  The Tank Commander/gunner sat in a hammock like affair hung from the turret walls and just sort of bounced around amongst all the ammunition in the fighting compartment, which was 4,800 rounds for the machine guns or 237 rounds for the cannon.  The driver was a little better off in that he had a seat, but both men suffered considerably from the exhaust and gasoline fumes of the engine. 

     During the rest of that winter and all through the next summer the Platoon became familiar with their tanks.   Most of the men had never even seen a tank before, but being Marines they went at the job in the typical Marine fashion, head on.  Every one in the platoon became familiar with all aspects of the job of an Iron Horse Marine, driving, gunnery and preventive maintaince.  They learned what the tanks could do and usually, by trial and error, what they could not do.  The platoon also participated in many of the publicity maneuvers and parades which were a hallmark of the times. 

     During the winter of 1924, the platoon participated in the "Winter Maneuvers" with the East Coast Expeditionary Force from Quantico.  These maneuvers were held on the island of Culebra, off the eastern coast of Puerto Rico.  The maneuvers were designed to test and perfect amphibious landing  techniques.  They were of the trial and error type, at least as far as the "Tankers" were concerned.  It was defiantly learned that this type of tank was not suited for amphibious operations.  The lessons learned during maneuvers such as these would be a tremendous help later on during World War II, when the Marines perfected their amphibious assault techniques in the Pacific. 

     Upon the platoon's return from Culebra, they received two more tanks, one machine gun and one cannon.  It was now a full fledged tank platoon with five tanks.  There was even an experimental tank to try out.  It was a standard six-ton with the turret removed and fitted out as a communications tank.  The platoon was in tank heaven and the haggling over who would drive what was cut to a minimum. 

     For the next three years the platoon performed peacetime garrison type duties.  Going on limited maneuvers and exercises, performing in publicity parades and run of the mill Marine duties, but constantly learning more and more about their tanks.  For the Marines it was almost too dull, but, as for all those who wait, an exciting change was in store for these "Iron Horse Marines".  The political crisis in China was getting worse and the Third Marine Brigade was asking for reinforcements. 

     Early in 1927 the platoon was Far East Bound.  The "Old Salts" were again telling the "Boots" sea stories about the wonders of the Orient, and some of the boots were looking forward to getting tattooed like the old salts.  But they had to wait, for at that time it was an unwritten law that no one got a tattoo until he had served overseas. 

     The platoon, now under the command of Captain Nathen E. Landon, lashed down their tanks on flat cars and left Quantico by rail on April 6, 1927.  Arriving in San Diego on April 12, the platoon didn't take any time out for liberty.  In typical Marine fashion the tanks and all the platoon's gear was derailed, moved dockside, embarked, and lashed down aboard the USS President Grant, all in one day.  The platoon then had a few days to pull liberty before the ship sailed.  The trip from San Diego to Olongapo, Philippine Islands was as usual, uneventful, except for the Marine who were seasick and thought the trip would never end.  Upon arrival at Olongapo, it was back to work again for the tankers, as they had to change ships.  On May 4th they set to work unlashing their tanks and transferring them to the USS Chaumont, where they were again tied down.  After the troops were settled in and the card games resumed the ship set sail for Shanghai, China. 

     Arriving at Taku Bar, Shanghai, China on the 21st of May the platoon again disembarked and began getting ready for what they hoped would be an exciting tour of duty in China.  After the tanks were put back in a ready condition, some of the men went on their first liberty.  While some got their first tattoos, others began to explore the wonders of the Orient.  All agreed that Shanghai liberty was all or more than it was said to be.  But such a good life is not for Marines and after about two weeks the platoon was on the move again.  It was sent up river by barge to Tientsin on the 6th of June.  The platoon was assigned the job of protecting the Peking-Tientsin railway.  At least that was it's official job during the balance of it's tour of duty in China.  Even though these were troubled times in China, and some of the Marines were looking for excitement, the job was considered as dull garrison duty. 

     With the exception of being a show of force, the platoon's duties were much the same as it was earlier in Quantico.  They went on limited maneuvers, performed in good-will shows and publicity parades, stood inspections and kept their tank well maintained.  It was almost like the occupation duty that the Marines would again be assigned to do in the same area in 1945.  While not on duty the Marines of the platoon could be found on liberty in Tientsin, which they discovered was just as good a liberty town as was Shanghai.  This was their life for the next fifteen months until the crisis was lifted and the Marine Corps could no longer afford a tank platoon. 

     On September 15, 1928, the platoon was administratively detached and transferred to the Light Tank Platoon, Composite regiment, San Diego.  The Marines again loaded their tanks aboard barges and left for Shanghai, where they were loaded aboard ship and lashed down for the trip home.  When the ship left Shanghai on September 18th, besides their tanks, the platoon took with them lots of wonderful memories of their tour of duty in China. 

     The platoon debarked in San Diego on November 1st and joined the Composite Regiment.  After everyone was settled in they had time to enjoy some of San Diego's night spots.  Then on November 10, (the Marine Corps birthday) the platoon was disbanded.  Some of the men were transferred to other units while others were discharged.  But once again history leave something out and we don't know what happened to the tanks. 

     Many more stories may be written about Marine Tankers, but these were the pioneers of a brand new arm of the Marine Ground-Sea-Air team.  During their brief five years of existence they set the trend for the "Iron Horse Marines" of  today. 

     As a footnote this is the tank that I used when asked to design a logo for the Marine Corps Tankers Association by one of the plank holders, "Big" John Cornelius.