[2] After graduating with the Class of 1890, he served on board USS Charleston for required two years sea duty as a midshipman.

[3] In April 1893, Catlin was promoted to first lieutenant and transferred that December to Marine Barracks, League Island, Philadelphia Navy Yard, Pennsylvania.

[1] Catlin then transferred to USS Maine and was in command of her Marine Detachment when the ship was destroyed in Havana Harbor in February 1898.

[4] In June 1911, during salvaging operations of the Maine, Catlin's Mamaluke Sword was recovered "in a fair state of preservation," along with a penknife, from his quarters.

He was the first commanding officer of the Marine Barracks, Naval Station, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii, serving there from February to July 1904.

[7] He then served in recruiting duty at Buffalo, New York from October 1904 until returning to the Marine Barracks at the Brooklyn Navy Yard the following spring.

[1] On June 30, 1906, owing to the disturbed political conditions in the Dominican Republic, a battalion of Marines consisting of 7 officers and 204 enlisted men, under the command of Major Catlin, was assembled, embarked and sailed on board the USS Dixie, from the League Island Navy Yard for Monte Cristi.

In December 1914, Catlin commanded the Naval Prison at Portsmouth Navy Yard, Maine, while also having temporary duty at the Army Service Schools at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

On June 6, 1918, with his regiment attacking Bois de Belleau, he was wounded in the chest by a sniper and evacuated to a hospital the next day.

Upon returning to the United States, Colonel Catlin served at Headquarters Marine Corps and was appointed brigadier general on August 30, 1918.

[13] In addition to the Medal of Honor, Catlin was awarded two Croix de Guerre, one with palms and one with gilt star for gallantry in action against the enemy at Belleau Wood.