| Graves Blanchard Erskine | |
|---|---|
| June 28, 1897 – May 21, 1973 (aged 75) | |
 General Graves B. Events 1098 - Fighters of the First Crusade defeat Kerbogha of Mosul. Year 1897 ( MDCCCXCVII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Common Events 878 - Syracuse Italy is captured by the Muslim sultan of Sicily. Year 1973 ( MCMLXXIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the 1973 Gregorian calendar. Erskine |
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| Place of birth | Columbia, Louisiana |
| Place of death | Bethesda, Maryland |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Years of service | 1912-1916 (National Guard) 1917-1953 (United States Marine Corps) |
| Rank | General |
| Commands held | 3rd Marine Division 1st Marine Division Camp Pendleton Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic |
| Battles/wars | World War I Battle of Château-Thierry Battle of Belleau Wood Battle of Bouresches Battle of Soissons St. Mihiel Offensive World War II Pearl Harbor Battle of Kwajalein Battle of Saipan Battle of Tinian Battle of Iwo Jima Battle of Guam |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star Legion of Merit (2) Purple Heart |
| Other work | Director of Special Operations of the Department of Defense (1953-1961) |
General Graves Blanchard Erskine (1897-1973) was a United States Marine Corps officer who led the 3rd Marine Division during the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II. Columbia is a town in and the Parish seat of Caldwell Parish, Louisiana, United States. Bethesda is an Unincorporated area in southern Montgomery County Maryland, just Northwest of Washington D The United States of America —commonly referred to as the For the National Guard of a State and other countries' National Guard see National Guard. The 3rd Marine Division is an infantry division in the United States Marine Corps based out of Okinawa, Japan. The 1st Marine Division is the oldest largest (active duty and most decorated division in the United States Marine Corps representing a combat-ready force Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton is the major West Coast base of the United States Marine Corps and serves as its prime amphibious training base The Fleet Marine Force (FMF is a combined command of the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps which comprises a combination of permanent afloat personnel World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All The Battle of Château-Thierry was fought on July 18, 1918 and was one of the first actions involving the United States American Expeditionary Force (AEF The Battle of Belleau Wood ( June 1 - June 26, 1918) occurred during the German 1918 Spring Offensive in World War I, near the The Battle of Saint-Mihiel was a World War I battle fought between September 12 - 15 1918 involving the American Expeditionary Force and 48000 French World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including The attack on Pearl Harbor (or Hawaii Operation, as it was called by the Imperial General Headquarters) was a surprise Military strike conducted by The Battle of Kwajalein was a battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II, fought from January 31, 1944, to February 3, The Battle of Saipan was a battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II, fought on the island of Saipan in the Mariana Islands from The Battle of Tinian was a battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II, fought on the island of Tinian in the Mariana Islands from The Battle of Iwo Jima ( February 19, 1945 &ndash March 26, 1945) was the United States capture of the island of Iwo Jima The Battle of Guam ( July 21 - August 8 1944) was the American capture of the Japanese held island of Guam (in the The Distinguished Service Medal is the highest non-valorous military and civilian decoration of the United States of America military which is issued for exceptionally meritorious The Silver Star is the third highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States Armed Forces. The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving The United States Department of Defense ( DOD or DoD) is the federal department charged with coordinating and supervising all agencies and functions of the government The 3rd Marine Division is an infantry division in the United States Marine Corps based out of Okinawa, Japan. The Battle of Iwo Jima ( February 19, 1945 &ndash March 26, 1945) was the United States capture of the island of Iwo Jima World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including
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Early years
Graves Erskine was born in Columbia, Louisiana, on 28 June 1897, where he graduated from high school at age 15 as class valedictorian. Columbia is a town in and the Parish seat of Caldwell Parish, Louisiana, United States. Events 1098 - Fighters of the First Crusade defeat Kerbogha of Mosul. Year 1897 ( MDCCCXCVII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Common Valedictorian is an academic title typically conferred upon the highest ranked student among those being graduated from an educational institution He entered Louisiana State University in the fall of 1912, and joined the Louisiana National Guard. Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, generally known as Louisiana State University or LSU, is a public, Coeducational For the National Guard of a State and other countries' National Guard see National Guard. In 1916, he saw duty on the Mexican border. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, 21 May 1917; and graduated in June 1917. The Marine Forces Reserve ( MARFORRES or MFR) (also known as the United States Marine Corps Reserve ( USMCR) a part of the United States
Marine Corps career
Upon graduation he reported for active duty in the Marine Corps as a second lieutenant on 5 July 1917.
World War I
In January 1918, he sailed for France, and as a platoon leader in the 6th Marine Regiment, participated in the Aisne-Marne Defensive (Battle of Chateau-Thierry), where he was wounded in action; also fighting at Belleau Wood; Bouresches; and Soissons. The 6th Marine Regiment is an infantry Regiment of the United States Marine Corps based at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina The Battle of Belleau Wood ( June 1 - June 26, 1918) occurred during the German 1918 Spring Offensive in World War I, near the In the St. Mihiel Offensive, he was so seriously wounded, that he was evacuated to the United States in October 1918 for hospitalization, spending a year in the hospital and undergoing nine surgeries. The Battle of Saint-Mihiel was a World War I battle fought between September 12 - 15 1918 involving the American Expeditionary Force and 48000 French
For bravery in action, he was awarded the Silver Star Medal, was cited by the Commander-in-Chief, AEF, and in General Orders of the War Department, and entitled to wear the French Fourragère as a member of the 6th Marine Regiment. The Silver Star is the third highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States Armed Forces. The fourragère is a military award distinguishing military units as a whole The 6th Marine Regiment is an infantry Regiment of the United States Marine Corps based at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina
Following recruiting duty in Kansas City, Missouri, he was assigned foreign shore duty with the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade in Haiti; sea duty aboard the USS Olympia; and again foreign shore duty, with the 2nd Marine Brigade in Santo Domingo. Haiti ( English: ˈheɪ·tiː or haɪ·ˈjiː·tiː French Haïti a·i·ti Haitian Creole: Design and construction Olympia was laid down 17 June 1891 by Union Iron Works, San Francisco California; launched 5 November Santo Domingo de Guzmán (known as Santo Domingo population 2084852 (Metro (2003 estimated 2253437 (Metro in 2006 is the Capital and largest city in the In September 1924, he became Depot Quartermaster, Marine Barracks, Quantico, Virginia. Marine Barracks Washington DC is located at 8th and I Streets SE in Washington D He later completed instruction at the U.S. Army Infantry School, Fort Benning, Georgia, and was assigned to the Marine Corps Schools, Quantico as an instructor. The United States Army Infantry School is located in Fort Benning, Georgia. Fort Benning is a United States Army post located southwest
In March 1928, he was assigned two years' duty in Nicaragua, serving briefly with the 2nd Marine Brigade, and later with the Nicaragua National Guard Detachment. Nicaragua (ˌnɪkəˈrɑgwə officially the Republic of Nicaragua () is a representative democratic republic and the largest nation in Central America During this period, he organized the Presidential Guard, served as aide and personal bodyguard to President Jose M. Moncada, and commanded a battalion of the Guardia Nacionale in jungle operations against organized bandits in northern Nicaragua.
Upon his return to the United States, he was an instructor at the Basic School, Marine Barracks, Philadelphia Navy Yard; completed the Command and General Staff School, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas; and served as an instructor again at Marine Corps Schools, Quantico. The Basic School ( TBS) is where all newly commissioned United States Marine Corps officers are sent to learn the art and science of being an Officer of Marines From January 1935 until May 1937, he was stationed in China, serving as a member of the Marine Detachment at the American Embassy in Peiping. China ( Wade-Giles ( Mandarin) Chung¹kuo² is a cultural region, an ancient Civilization, and depending on perspective a National In June 1937, he began a three-year assignment as a section chief at Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, then served as Executive Officer of the 5th Marine Regiment at Quantico and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The 5th Marine Regiment is an infantry Regiment of the United States Marine Corps based at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California.
World War II
When World War II broke out, he was serving as Chief of Staff, Amphibious Force, Atlantic Fleet (later redesignated Amphibious Corps, Atlantic Fleet). World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including In September 1942, he joined the Amphibious Corps, Pacific Fleet, in San Diego, California, as Chief of Staff, and performed duty in Alaska in July and August 1943 during the planning and training phase of the assault on Attu and Kiska in the Aleutians. Immediately after this, he assumed duty as Chief of Staff of the 5th Amphibious Corps and embarked for the Pacific area. Overseas, he was promoted to brigadier general in November 1943 (with rank from September 1942), and was assigned additional duty as Deputy Commander, 5th Amphibious Corps. Brigadier General is the lowest ranking General Officer in some countries usually sitting between the ranks of Colonel and Major General. For exceptionally meritorious service during the assault and capture of Kwajalein, Saipan, and Tinian, he received two awards of the Legion of Merit, both with combat "V". The Battle of Kwajalein was a battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II, fought from January 31, 1944, to February 3, The Battle of Saipan was a battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II, fought on the island of Saipan in the Mariana Islands from The Battle of Tinian was a battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II, fought on the island of Tinian in the Mariana Islands from The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding He also performed additional duties during the Marianas campaign as Chief of Staff of East Marine Force, Pacific. The Mariana Islands (also the Marianas; up to the early 20th century sometimes called Ladrones Islands, from Spanish Islas de los Ladrones meaning
Following the Marianas operation, he was promoted to major general in September 1944, and the following month assumed command of the 3rd Marine Division. Major General or Major-General is a Military rank used in many countries The 3rd Marine Division is an infantry division in the United States Marine Corps based out of Okinawa, Japan. He led the 3rd Division in the battle for Iwo Jima where members of the division were awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for heroism, and he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal. The Battle of Iwo Jima ( February 19, 1945 &ndash March 26, 1945) was the United States capture of the island of Iwo Jima Please see " Presidential Unit Citation " for other nations' versions of this award The Presidential Unit Citation is awarded to units The Distinguished Service Medal is the highest non-valorous military and civilian decoration of the United States of America military which is issued for exceptionally meritorious
Post-war military career
Immediately after the war, as Commanding General of the 3rd Marine Division then stationed on Guam, he organized vocational schools on Guam to aid Marines under his command in postwar trades and skills, prior to their return to civilian life.
In October 1945, General Erksine was ordered to Washington and as a result of a special Congressional Act was appointed Administrator of the Retraining and Reemployment Administration (RRA). In June 1947, upon his request to return to duty with the Marine Corps, the general assumed command of the Marine Barracks, Marine Training and Replacement Command, Camp Pendleton, California. The following month, with the return of the 1st Marine Division from China to Camp Pendleton, he became Commanding General of the 1st Marine Division, as well as Commanding General of Camp Pendleton. The 1st Marine Division is the oldest largest (active duty and most decorated division in the United States Marine Corps representing a combat-ready force In May 1949, he was assigned additional duty as Deputy Commander of Fleet Marine Force, Pacific.
During this period, the Marine air units at El Toro were molded together with the 1st Marine Division troops at Camp Pendleton, and it was this combination that embarked for Korea when hostilities erupted in that area. Marine Corps Air Station El Toro was a United States Marine Corps Air Station located near Irvine California, at. The 1st Marine Division is the oldest largest (active duty and most decorated division in the United States Marine Corps representing a combat-ready force
In June 1950, the Secretary of Defense appointed General Erskine as Chief of Military Group, Joint State-Defense Mutual Defense Assistance Program Survey Mission to Southeast Asia. In carrying out his assigned duties with the Mission, he visited the Philippines, French Indochina, Malaya, Thailand and Indonesia. Upon completing this assignment, General Erskine received orders in December 1950 directing him to assume duties as Commanding General of the Department of the Pacific, San Francisco, California. He also performed additional duties as Member of the Advisory Group, Western Sea Frontier; and Commanding General, Marine Corps Emergency Forces, Western Sea Frontier.
In July 1951, as a lieutenant general, he became Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic.
Upon his retirement from active duty in the Marine Corps, General Erskine was advanced to four-star rank, 1 July 1953, by reason of having been specially commended for heroism in combat. "July 1st" redirects here For the Ayumi Hamasaki song see H (song. Year 1953 ( MCMLIII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.
Post-Marine Corps
Department of Defense
He was authorized to retire from active service by a Special Act of the United States Congress, in June 1953, for the purpose of accepting a position as Assistant to the Secretary of Defense as Director of Special Operations of the United States Department of Defense, and served in this post for over eight years, until 31 October 1961. The United States Congress is the bicameral Legislature of the federal government of the United States of America, consisting of two houses The United States Department of Defense ( DOD or DoD) is the federal department charged with coordinating and supervising all agencies and functions of the government Events 445 BC – Ezra reads the Book of the Law to the Israelites in Jerusalem (see Nehemiah 91 NLTse Year 1961 ( MCMLXI) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.
Arlington National Cemetery
General Erskine died, on 21 May 1973, at Bethesda, Maryland. Events 878 - Syracuse Italy is captured by the Muslim sultan of Sicily. Year 1973 ( MCMLXXIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the 1973 Gregorian calendar. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington Virginia, is a military cemetery in the United States, established during the American Civil War
Honors
- Admiral Richard Byrd, during his last mission to Antarctica, named Erskine Bay in honor of General Erskine. The name Richard Byrd may refer to Richard C Byrd (1805–1854 an American politician Richard Evelyn Byrd (1888–1957 admiral polar
See also
References
This article incorporates text in the public domain from the United States Marine Corps. The public domain is a range of abstract materials &ndash commonly referred to as Intellectual property &ndash which are not owned or controlled by anyone
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