| Randolph McCall Pate | |
|---|---|
| February 11, 1898 –July 31, 1961 (aged -28) | |
 21st Commandant of the Marine Corps (1956-1959) |
|
| Place of birth | Port Royal, South Carolina |
| Place of death | National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1921-1959 |
| Rank | General |
| Commands held | Marine Corps Reserve 1st Marine Division 2nd Marine Division Commandant of the Marine Corps |
| Battles/wars | World War II *Battle of Guadalcanal *Battle of Iwo Jima |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Medal(2) Legion of Merit(2) Purple Heart Medal |
General Randolph McCall Pate (February 11, 1898–July 31, 1961) was the twenty-first Commandant of the United States Marine Corps from 1956 to 1959. Events 660 BC - Traditional founding date of Japan by Emperor Jimmu. Year 1898 ( MDCCCXCVIII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Events 30 BC - Battle of Alexandria: Mark Antony achieves a minor victory over Octavian 's forces but most of his army subsequently Year 1961 ( MCMLXI) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Port Royal, Jamaica was the centre of Shipping Commerce in the Islands of the Greater Antilles which make up the northeastern South Carolina ( is a state in the southern region ( Deep South) of the United States of America. The National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda Maryland, United States, also known as the Bethesda Naval Hospital, is considered the flagship of the The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The Marine Forces Reserve ( MARFORRES or MFR) (also known as the United States Marine Corps Reserve ( USMCR) a part of the United States 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 The US 2nd Marine Division is a division of the United States Marine Corps, which forms the Ground combat element of the II Marine Expeditionary The Commandant of the Marine Corps ( CMC) is the highest ranking officer in the United States Marine Corps and is a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff 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 Guadalcanal Campaign, also known as the Battle of Guadalcanal, was fought between August 7, 1942, and February 9, 1943, in the The Battle of Iwo Jima ( February 19, 1945 &ndash March 26, 1945) was the United States capture of the island of Iwo Jima 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 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 Events 660 BC - Traditional founding date of Japan by Emperor Jimmu. Year 1898 ( MDCCCXCVIII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Events 30 BC - Battle of Alexandria: Mark Antony achieves a minor victory over Octavian 's forces but most of his army subsequently Year 1961 ( MCMLXI) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The Commandant of the Marine Corps ( CMC) is the highest ranking officer in the United States Marine Corps and is a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Pate was a veteran of the Korean fighting, World War II action on Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima, and pre-World War II expeditionary service in Santo Domingo and China. The Korean War refers to a period of military conflict between North Korean and South Korean regimes with major hostilities lasting from June 25 1950 until the 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 Guadalcanal Campaign, also known as the Battle of Guadalcanal, was fought between August 7, 1942, and February 9, 1943, in the The Battle of Iwo Jima ( February 19, 1945 &ndash March 26, 1945) was the United States capture of the island of Iwo Jima
In Korea, Pate commanded the 1st Marine Division from June 15, 1953 to May 12, 1954, earning him the Distinguished Service Medal and the Republic of Korea's Order of Military Merit Taiquk. 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 Events 763 BC - Assyrians record a Solar eclipse that will be used to fix the Chronology of Mesopotamian history Year 1953 ( MCMLIII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1191 - Richard I of England marries Berengaria of Navarre. Year 1954 ( MCMLIV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1954 Gregorian calendar) 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 citation for the Distinguished Service Medal states in part:
- Moving the 1st Marine Division from corps reserve to position on line shortly after he assumed control of the 1st Marine Division, he was responsible for a sector that was far greater in size than is normally the area of responsibility for a division. He employed the most astute military judgment and discretion in the deployment of his troops, and was able to contain the enemy and maintain the integrity of the United Nations line during the final enemy offensive.
- Subsequent to the armistice agreement, he initiated an intensive salvage program of the old battle position, realizing a savings of thousands of dollars for the command, and then personally supervised and guided the construction of new main battle positions, again on a greatly extended front. An armistice is a situation where the warring parties agree to stop fighting Aware of the necessity for maintaining combat readiness throughout the post armistice period, he implemented an aggressive, realistic and comprehensive training program of dual purpose consisting of orientation and indoctrination in the battle techniques of both ground warfare and amphibious assault operations. In addition, he cooperated and coordinated with interest units during the unprecedented "Big Switch" prisoner of war exchange. This sensitive project fell within the Division area of responsibility, and through his foresight and organizational process, the repatriation program was completed without any untoward incidents.
In World War II, General Holland M. Smith, USMC (Retired), awarded Pate the Legion of Merit for outstanding service as Deputy Chief of Staff to the Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific. General Holland McTyeire "Howlin' Mad" Smith ( April 20, 1882 &ndash January 12, 1967) was a General in the United 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 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 Serving in that capacity from September 11, 1944 to November 1, 1945, Pate, then a colonel, was cited in particular for his performance of duty during amphibious operations on Palau, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. The Battle of Iwo Jima ( February 19, 1945 &ndash March 26, 1945) was the United States capture of the island of Iwo Jima In 1947, General Alexander A. Vandegrift, then Commandant of the Marine Corps, presented him a Gold Star in lieu of his second Legion of Merit. General Alexander Archer Vandegrift (March 13 1887 &ndash May 8 1973 was a General in the United States Marine Corps. The award was for exceptionally meritorious service at Guadalcanal as Assistant Chief of Staff for Supply of the 1st Marine Division during the United States' first offensive against Japan. The Guadalcanal Campaign, also known as the Battle of Guadalcanal, was fought between August 7, 1942, and February 9, 1943, in the
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Early years
Randolph McCall Pate was born at Port Royal, South Carolina, on February 11, 1898. Events 660 BC - Traditional founding date of Japan by Emperor Jimmu. Year 1898 ( MDCCCXCVIII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common After a brief tour of enlisted service with the U.S. Army in 1918, he entered the Virginia Military Institute, graduating in June 1921, with a Bachelor of Arts degree. The United States Army is a military organization whose primary mission is to "provide necessary forces and capabilities. The Virginia Military Institute ( VMI) located in Lexington Virginia, is the oldest state-supported military college and one of six senior He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps Reserve that September, and the following May accepted his commission in the Regular Marine Corps. 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
In addition to expeditionary duty in Santo Domingo in 1923 and 1924 and in China from 1927 to 1929, Pate served at various post in the United States and Hawaii. He was promoted to first lieutenant in September 1926, to captain in November 1934, and to major in October 1938. In the spring of 1939, he became Assistant Chief of Staff for Supply, 1st Marine Division, at New River (later Camp Lejeune), North Carolina, and while there was promoted to lieutenant colonel in January 1942. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune is near Jacksonville North Carolina, on the Atlantic seaboard of the United States. He began his World War II service in this capacity, participating in the planning and combat phases of the Guadalcanal campaign. He was promoted to colonel in December 1943, and later saw further service in the Pacific area.
Returning to the United States after the war, he was named Director of the Division of Reserve at Marine Corps Headquarters in January 1946. The following year he assumed duties as a member of the General Board Navy Department, Washington. In July 1948, he became Chief of Staff of the Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, Virginia, and two years later was named Director of the Marine Corps Educational Center. While stationed at Quantico in September 1949, he was promoted to brigadier general.
In July 1951, Pate was assigned to the Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, where he served as Deputy Director of the Joint Staff for logistic Plans. The Joint Chiefs of Staff ( JCS) is a group comprising the Chiefs of service of each major branch of the Armed services in the United States armed forces He was named Director of the Marine Corps Reserves for a second time that November, and in August 1952 was promoted to major general. The Marine Forces Reserve ( MARFORRES or MFR) (also known as the United States Marine Corps Reserve ( USMCR) a part of the United States The following month, he took command of the 2nd Marine Division at Camp Lejeune. The US 2nd Marine Division is a division of the United States Marine Corps, which forms the Ground combat element of the II Marine Expeditionary Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune is near Jacksonville North Carolina, on the Atlantic seaboard of the United States. Ordered to Korea in June 1953, he commanded the 1st Marine Division until May 1954. 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 July 1954, Pate was appointed Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps and Chief of Staff, serving in that capacity with the rank of lieutenant general for eighteen months. On January 01, 1956, he was promoted to the rank of general and executed the oath of office as Commandant of the Marine Corps, succeeding General Lemuel C. Shepherd. New Year See also New Year The Ancient Romans began their consular year on January 1st since 153 BC Year 1956 ( MCMLVI) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. General Lemuel Cornick Shepherd Jr (10 February 1896&ndash6 August 1990 was a general of the United States Marine Corps. Following four years as Commandant, he retired with the rank of general. At his retirement ceremonies, December 31, 1959, Pate was awarded the Navy Distinguished Service Medal for "exceptionally meritorious service to the Government of the United States in a duty of great responsibility as Commandant of the Marine Corps from January 01, 1956 to December 31, 1959. Events 406 – Vandals, Alans and Suebians cross the Rhine, beginning an invasion of Gallia. The year 1959 ( MCMLIX) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The Navy Distinguished Service Medal is a military award of the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps which was first created in 1919 New Year See also New Year The Ancient Romans began their consular year on January 1st since 153 BC Year 1956 ( MCMLVI) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 406 – Vandals, Alans and Suebians cross the Rhine, beginning an invasion of Gallia. The year 1959 ( MCMLIX) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. "
Honors and awards
Pate's medals and decorations include: the Distinguished Service Medal; the Legion of Merit with Combat "V" and Gold Star in lieu of a second award; the Purple Heart (Guadalcanal, 1942); the Presidential Unit Citation (Guadalcanal, 1942); the Navy Unit Commendation (Korea, 1953); the World War I Victory Medal; the Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal with two bronze stars (Santo Domingo), 1923-24 and China, 1927-29); the Yangtze Service Medal (China, 1927); the American Defense Service Medal; the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with three bronze stars; the American Campaign Medal; the World War II Victory Medal; the National Defense Service Medal; the Korean Service Medal with one bronze star; the United Nations Service Medal; the Korean Presidential Unit Citation; and the Korean Order of Military Merit Taiguk. 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 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 Please see " Presidential Unit Citation " for other nations' versions of this award The Presidential Unit Citation is awarded to units The Navy Unit Commendation of the United States Navy is an award that was established by order of the Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal on 18 December The World War I Victory Medal is a decoration of the United States military which was first created in 1919 designed by James Earle Fraser. The Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal is a decoration of the United States Marine Corps which was first created on May 8 1919 The Yangtze Service Medal is a decoration of the United States military which was created in 1930 for presentation to members of the U The American Defense Service Medal is a decoration of the United States military which was created in 1941 by Executive Order of President Franklin Roosevelt The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal is a service decoration of the Second World War which was awarded to any member of the United States military who The American Campaign Medal was a military decoration of the United States armed forces which was first created on November 6, 1942 by The World War II Victory Medal is a decoration of the United States military which was created by an act of Congress in July 1945. The National Defense Service Medal is a military decoration of the United States military originally commissioned by President Dwight D Please see " Presidential Unit Citation " for other nations' versions of this award The Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
Final days
Following a brief illness, Pate died at the U.S. Naval Hospital, Bethesda, Maryland, July 31, 1961. The National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda Maryland, United States, also known as the Bethesda Naval Hospital, is considered the flagship of the Events 30 BC - Battle of Alexandria: Mark Antony achieves a minor victory over Octavian 's forces but most of his army subsequently Year 1961 ( MCMLXI) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Funeral services were held on August 03, 1961 in the Fort Myer Chapel, Arlington, Virginia, and he was interred with full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery. Events 8 - Roman Empire General Tiberius defeats Dalmatians on the river Bathinus. Year 1961 ( MCMLXI) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. A military funeral is a funeral given by a country's Military for a Veteran, a soldier who died in battle or another prominent military figure Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington Virginia, is a military cemetery in the United States, established during the American Civil War
His wife, Mary Elizabeth Bunting Pate (July 04, 1899-December 31, 1975), who he married on July 02, 1926 is buried with him. Events 836 - Pactum Sicardi, peace between the Principality of Benevento and the Duchy of Naples Year 1899 ( MDCCCXCIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Events 406 – Vandals, Alans and Suebians cross the Rhine, beginning an invasion of Gallia. Year 1975 ( MCMLXXV) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 310 - Pope Miltiades is elected 626 - In fear of assassination Li Shimin ambushes and kills his rival Year 1926 ( MCMXXVI) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.
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
| Preceded by Gen Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr. |
Commandant of the United States Marine Corps 1956—1959 |
Succeeded by Gen David M. Shoup |
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