Ross T. Dwyer

Infobox Military Person
name=Ross T. Dwyer
born= birth date|1919|7|20
died= Death date and age|2001|10|8|1919|7|20
placeofburial=


caption=Major General Ross T. Dwyer, USMC
nickname=
placeofbirth= Honolulu, Hawaii
placeofdeath= Riverside, California
allegiance= United States of America
branch=United States Marine Corps
serviceyears= 1941-1974
rank= Major General
unit=
commands=2nd Battalion, 6th Marines 1st Marine Regiment 5th Marine Division 1st Marine Division I Marine Amphibious Force
battles=World War II Vietnam War
awards=Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit (3) Bronze Star
relations=
laterwork=

Ross T. Dwyer (July 20, 1919 – October 8, 2001) is a United States Marine Corps major general who retired in 1974 after over 32 years of service. MajGen Dwyer served in combat in World War II, the Korean War, and in the Vietnam War. His commands included the 5th Marine Division and the 1st Marine Division.cite web
accessdate=2007-05-27
url=http://www.1stmarinedivisionassociation.org/1st-div-history/commandinggeneral.htm
title=1st Marine Division Commanding Generals
publisher=1st Marine Division Association]

Biography

Ross T. Dwyer was born in Honolulu, Hawaii on July 20, 1919. He graduated from high school in Honolulu in 1937. He studied economics at Stanford University where he was a member of the Chi Psi fraternity,cite web|accessdate=2007-05-27
url=http://www.stanfordalumni.org/news/magazine/2003/marapr/classnotes/obituaries.html
title=Class Notes: Obituaries |work=Stanford Magazine |date=March/April 2003] earning his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1942. In 1941, while at Stanford, he joined the United States Marine Corps Reserve. He was commissioned a Marine Corps second lieutenant on September 26, 1942.

World War II

During World War II, Dwye served as a 5-inch battery and machine gun officer with the Marine Detachment aboard the USS "South Dakota" in both the European Theater of Operations and the Pacific Theater, participating in four major naval campaigns. After his sea duty, he became a tank instructor at Camp Pendleton, California.

Post-war

Immediately following the war, Dwyer returned to Hawaii as the commanding officer of the Marine Barracks, Naval Air Station (NAS) Kaneohe Bay and then at the Naval Air Facility (NAF) Johnson Islands (Pacific Ocean). He next served briefly with the 2nd Marines as a company commander.

In February 1948, he entered the Amphibious Warfare School, Junior Course, Marine Corps Schools, Ouantico, Virginia. Upon graduation in August 1948, he joined the 2nd Marine Division where he served consecutively as a company commander with the 8th Marines and 6th Marines; as Officer in Charge (OIC), Division NCO School; S-3, 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines; and S-3, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines. He was promoted to major in January 1951, and was transferred to Headquarters Marine Corps in June of that year where he served as Head, Enlisted Promotion Section, Personnel Department.

Korean War

In September 1952, Dwyer was ordered to Korea. During the Korean conflict, he served as Executive officer (XO) of the USMC Advisory Groupto the 1st Korean Marine Corps Regiment; As S-3, 5th Marines; Assistant G-3 (Ops) and Assistant G-3 (Plans) for the 1st Marine Division.

After Korea

Dwyer returned to the States in August 1953 and served for two years as an aide to the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In December 1955, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel.

From 1955 to 1958, Dwyer served as an instructor at Marine Corps Schools, Ouantico, followed by a tour of duty in London on the staff of CINCNELM/CINCUSNAVEUR, [CINCNELM=Commander in Chief, U.S. Naval Forces, Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean; CINCUSNAVEUR=Commander in Chief, U.S. Naval Forces Europe.] After attending the Armed Forces Staff College, he joined the 2nd Marine Division and assumed command of the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines as Assistant Force Marine Officer, Amphibious Plans and Operations Officer. While in this assignment he participated in contingency operations in Lebanon in 1958. He was deployed to the U.S. 6th Fleet as Commander, Task Force 62 (Landing Force) and later was deployed as the Commanding officer, Battalion Landing Team (BLT) 2/6 during the Cuban contingency operations.

In December 1962, LtCol Dwyer became Asst G-1 of the 2nd Marine Division. Ordered overseas in June 1963, he joined the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (1st MAW) in Japan as Assistant G-1, later becoming G-1. While serving in this capacity, he was promoted to colonel in July 1964.

He returned to U.S. in July 1964. From September 1, 1964 to late January 1965, was assigned as Head, Western Region Team, Joint Plans Group, DC/s, Plans and Programs, at Headquarters Marine Corps. From February 1965 to June 1967, Dwyer served as USMC Aide to the Secretary of the Navy (SecNav). In May 1968, Col Dwyer graduated from the National War College, Washington, D.C..

Vietnam War

In June 1968, Dwyer reported to the Republic of Vietnam, and was assigned as the CO, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division (Reinforced), FMF. He was promoted to brigadier general on August 14, 1968, and subsequently served as Assistant Division Commander, 1st Marine Division; Commanding General (CG) Task Force Yankee, 1st Marine Division; and finally as G-3, III Marine Amphibious Force.

Post-Vietnam

Following his return to the States in late June 1969, Dwyer commanded the 5th Marine Division until it was deactivated in December 1969. He then commanded the 5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade, which was redesignated the 5th Marine Amphibious Brigade on September 1, 1967.

On April 30, 1971, Dwyer became Commanding General 1st Marine Division at Camp Pendleton, California and also assumed additional duties as Commanding General I Marine Amphibious Force. BGen Dwyer was promoted to major general in August 1971.

After leaving the 1st Marine Division on August 10, 1972, he served as Deputy Director, Joint Staff, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Washington, D.C., until February 1973, when he became Deputy Commander, Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic. He received a second gold star in lieu of a third award of the Legion of Merit upon his retirement on September 1, 1974.

Major General Ross T. Dwyer died on October 8, 2001 at the age of 82.cite web|accessdate=2007-05-27
url=http://www.stanfordalumni.org/news/magazine/2003/marapr/classnotes/obituaries.html
title=Class Notes: Obituaries |work=Stanford Magazine |date=March/April 2003]

Awards

His personal decorations include: Distinguished Service Medal; Legion of Merit w/two gold stars; Bronze Star w/Combat "V"; Joint Services Commendation Medal; and Navy Commendation medal w/Combat "V". His foreign personal decorations include Chung Mu w/gold star for service in the Republic of Korea during the Korean conflict and Korean Hug Rang for service the Republic of Vietnam. The National Order (5th Class) and Cross of Gallantry (Bronze Palm) were awarded by the Republic of Vietnam.

ee also

Notes

References

:Marine Corps
*cite web|accessdate=2007-05-26
url=http://www.usmc.mil/genbios2.nsf/biographies/32FFE865572384C285256A40007187A8?opendocument
title=Official Biography for Ross T. Dwyer |date=February 1973
work= [http://www.usmc.mil/genbios2.nsf/biographies/ Official Biographies]
publisher=United States Marine Corps

*cite web|accessdate=2007-05-27
url=http://www.stanfordalumni.org/news/magazine/2003/marapr/classnotes/obituaries.html
title=Class Notes: Obituaries |work=Stanford Magazine |date=March/April 2003