"Kentucky Marine is an excellent study of the leadership, tenacity, and gumption of one of the unsung heroes of the United States Marine Corps. This book is a must-read for anyone who studies the storied history of the USMC and the men who made the Corps one of the most respected fighting forces on the globe." —Major General Dennis C. Moran, USA (Ret.)

"In this well-written biography, Bettez not only presents Feland's achievements, but also points out his ambition and competitiveness in dealing with the internal politics of the Corps."—Edward M. Coffman, author of The Embattled Past: Reflections on Military History

"At long last, this biography of Logan Feland has emerged to acknowledge one of the greatest Marines of all time. Bettez mined an incredible number of obscure sources to bring Feland to life, leaving no stone unturned as he crafted this portrait of an elusive Marine Corps icon."—I. Michael Miller, Marine Corps History Division

A NATIVE OF HOPKINSVILLE, KENTUCKY, Major General Logan Feland (1869—1936) played a major role in the development of the modern Marine Corps.

Highly decorated for his heroic actions during the Battle of Belleau Wood in World War I, Feland was specially selected to command the hunt for rebel leader Augusto Cesar Sandino during the Nicaraguan revolution from 1927 to 1929—an operation that helped to establish the Marines' reputation in guerrilla warfare and search-and-capture missions. He was one of the first instructors in the USMC's Advanced Base Force, which was the forerunner of the amphibious assault force mission the Marines adopted in World War II, and during his tenure as an officer, the Corps expanded exponentially in manpower, influence, and prestige. Yet, despite rising to become one of the USMC's most highly ranked and regarded officers, Feland has been largely ignored in the historical record.

Kentucky Marine uncovers the forgotten history of this influential soldier of the seas. Drawing from personal letters, contemporary news articles, official communications, and confidential correspondence, this long-overdue biography distinguishes Feland and fills a significant gal) in twentieth-century American military history.