Pennsylvania, was a prominent figure in the United States Marine Corps during the early 20th century.

Col. Anthony Joseph Drexel Biddle, born on December 17, 1874, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was a prominent figure in the United States Marine Corps during the early 20th century. Known for his extraordinary skills in hand-to-hand combat, Biddle left a lasting legacy as a tough and fearless military officer.

During his service in World War II, Col. Biddle was assigned to the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island in South Carolina. It was there that he became famous for his unique training methods. Biddle would challenge his trainee Marines to engage in hand-to-hand combat with him using their bayonets, demonstrating his exceptional expertise in close-quarters combat.

The incident where Col. Biddle was surrounded by bayonets occurred in 1943. This event showcased his extraordinary confidence and skill as a combat instructor. He fearlessly ordered the trainee Marines to attempt to kill him with their bayonets, challenging them to disarm him. Despite the potential danger, Biddle was able to disarm each trainee successfully, showcasing his mastery of hand-to-hand combat techniques.

Col. Biddle’s unorthodox training methods were designed to instill confidence, discipline, and combat readiness in the trainee Marines. His remarkable abilities, coupled with his unwavering dedication to the Corps, made him an iconic figure within the Marine Corps community.

Aside from his combat skills, Biddle had a distinguished background. He came from a wealthy and influential family, being the grandson of banker and philanthropist Anthony J. Drexel. Before his military service, Biddle pursued a successful career as a banker and diplomat.

Col. Anthony Joseph Drexel Biddle’s contributions to the Marine Corps and his impact as a combat instructor are widely remembered. He passed away on November 27, 1948, but his legacy as an exceptional hand-to-hand combat expert and dedicated Marine endures to this day.