Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr.

Infobox Military Person
name= Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr.
born= birth date|1896|2|10
died= Death date and age|1990|8|6|1896|2|10
placeofbirth= Norfolk, Virginia
placeofdeath= La Jolla, California
placeofburial= Arlington National Cemetery


caption= 20th Commandant of the Marine Corps (1952-1955)
nickname=
allegiance= United States of America
branch= United States Marine Corps
serviceyears= 1917-1956
rank= General
commands=Commandant of the Marine Corps Marine Corps Schools 6th Marine Division 1st Provisional Marine Brigade 9th Marine Regiment 2nd Battalion 5th Marines
unit=
battles= World War I
*Battle of Belleau WoodWorld War II
*Battle of Guam
*Battle of OkinawaKorean War
*Battle of Inchon
*Battle of Chosin Reservoir
awards= Navy Cross Distinguished Service Cross Navy Distinguished Service Medal (3) Silver Star (3) Legion of Merit (2) Bronze Star Purple Heart Croix de guerre French Fourragère
laterwork=Inter American Defense Board, Chaircite web|accessdate=2008-01-11
url=http://www.vmi.edu/archives.aspx?id=3947
title="Letters, Diaries, Manuscripts. Military History" (see Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr. Papers)
work=VMI Archives
publisher=VMI]
General Lemuel Cornick Shepherd, Jr. (10 February, 1896–6 August, 1990) was a general of the United States Marine Corps. A veteran of World War I, World War II, and the Korean War, he was the 20th Commandant of the Marine Corps.

Early years

Lemuel Shepherd was born on 10 February, 1896 in Norfolk, Virginia. He graduated from the Virginia Military Institute in 1917,cite web|accessdate=2008-01-11
url=http://www.vmi.edu/archives.aspx?id=3947
title="Letters, Diaries, Manuscripts. Military History" (see Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr. Papers)
work=VMI Archives
publisher=VMI] graduating a year early so he could enter the Marine Corps.Fowler, "New York Times". 1990.] He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps on 11 April, 1917 and reported for active duty at the Marine Barracks, Port Royal, South Carolina, on May 19,. While at VMI, Shepherd became a member of the Beta Chapter of Kappa Alpha Order.

World War I

Less than a month later, 2ndLt Shepherd sailed for France as a member of the 5th Marine Regiment with the first elements of the American Expeditionary Forces. He served in defensive sectors in the vicinity of Verdun and participated in the Aisne-Marne offensive (Chateau-Thierry) where he was twice wounded in action at Belleau Wood during the fighting there in June 1918. Upon returning to the front in August, he rejoined the 5th Marines and saw action in the St. Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne offensives (Champagne) where he was wounded for the third time.

For his gallantry in action at Belleau Wood, Lieutenant Shepherd was awarded the Army Distinguished Service Cross, the Navy Cross, the French Croix de Guerre, and was cited in the general orders of the 2nd Infantry Division, American Expeditionary Forces.

After duty with the Army of Occupation in Germany, Capt Shepherd sailed for home in July 1919. In September, he returned to France for duty in connection with the preparation of relief maps of the battlefields over which the 4th Brigade of Marines had fought.

1920–1941

Upon Capt Shepherd’s return to the U.S. in December 1920, he was assigned as White House aide and Aide-de-Camp to the Commandant of the Marine Corps, MajGen John A. Lejeune. In July 1922, he was assigned duty in command of a selected company of Marines at the Brazilian Exposition at Rio de Janeiro.

In June 1923, Capt Shepherd was ordered to sea duty as Commanding Officer of the Marine Detachment, USS "Idaho" (BB-24). This tour was followed by duty at the Marine Barracks, Norfolk, where he commanded the Sea School. In April 1927, Capt Shepherd sailed for expeditionary duty in China, where he served in the 3d Marine Brigade in Tientsin and Shanghai.

Upon returning to the United States in 1929, he was assigned to the Naval War College at Newport, Rhode Island. Following graduation in May 1937, he commanded the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, part of the newly formed Fleet Marine Force (FMF), Atlantic, which was being extensively employed in the development of amphibious tactics and techniques.

In June 1939, he was ordered to the Staff of Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, Virginia, where he served during the next three years as Director, Correspondence School; Chief of the Tactical Section; Officer in Charge of the Candidates Class; and Assistant Commandant.

World War II

In March 1942, four months after the United States entry into World War II, Col Shepherd was ordered to command the 9th Marine Regiment. He organized, trained, and took this unit overseas as part of the 3rd Marine Division.

Upon appointment to general grade in July 1943, while serving on Guadalcanal, BGen Shepherd was assigned as Assistant Division Commander of the 1st Marine Division. In this capacity, he participated in the Cape Gloucester operation on New Britain from December 1943 through March 1944, where he was awarded a Legion of Merit for distinguished service in command of operations in the Borgan Bay area.

In May 1944, BGen Shepherd assumed command of the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade and led this organization in the invasion and subsequent recapture of Guam during July and August 1944. For distinguished leadership in this operation, BGen Shepherd received his first Distinguished Service Medal and was promoted to major general.

After organizing the 6th Marine Division from the Brigade, MajGen Shepherd commanded it throughout the Battle of Okinawa and subsequently took the Division to Tsingtao, China. There, on 25 October, 1945, he received the surrender of the Japanese forces in this area. For exceptionally meritorious service as Commanding General of the 6th Marine Division in the assault and occupation of Okinawa (1 April, to 21 June, 1945) he was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a second Distinguished Service Medal.

1946–1956

Several months later, MajGen Shepherd returned to the United States and in March 1946, organized the Troop Training Command, Amphibious Forces, Atlantic Fleet, at NAB Little Creek, Virginia. On 1 November, of the same year, he was ordered to duty as Assistant to the Commandant and Chief of Staff of Marine Corps Headquarters. He remained at this post until April 1948, when he was assigned to Quantico where he served as Commandant of the Marine Corps Schools until June 1950.

When the Korean War erupted, Gen Shepherd was in command of the FMF, Pacific, with Headquarters at Pearl Harbor. In this capacity, he participated in the landing at Inchon, and the evacuation of US forces from Hungnam following their withdrawal from the Chosin Reservoir in North Korea in December 1950. On 1 January, 1952, President Harry S. Truman appointed him Commandant of the Marine Corps.

During Gen Shepherd’s four-year appointment as the Commandant of the Marine Corps, he initiated a number of important policies that resulted in increased military proficiency for the Corps. He was the first Commandant to become a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and upon his retirement on 1 January, 1956, he was awarded a third Distinguished Service Medal.

1956–1990

Two months after his retirement, Gen Shepherd was recalled to active duty and appointed Chairman of the Inter-American Defense Board. During his three and a half years of service with this international organization, Gen Shepherd, through his leadership and diplomacy, made substantial contributions towards plans for the defense of the continent. He also promoted military solidarity among the military forces of the republics of the Western Hemisphere. He relinquished his duties with the Inter-American Defense Board on 15 September, 1959.

General Shepherd died 6 August, 1990 at his home in La Jolla, California, from bone cancer.Fowler, "New York Times". 1990.] He was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery."Lemuel Cornick Shepherd, Jr.", ArlingtonCemetery.net. 2005.]

ee also

*List of Korean War veterans who are recipients of the Bronze Star

Notes

References

*cite web|accessdate=2007-11-03
url=http://www.tecom.usmc.mil/HD/Whos_Who/Shepherd_LC.htm
title=General Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr., USMC
work=Who's Who in Marine Corps History
publisher=History Division, United States Marine Corps
*cite web|accessdate=2008-01-11
url=http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/lshepher.htm
title=Lemuel Cornick Shepherd, Jr., General, United States Marine Corps
publisher=ArlingtonCemetery.net
date=17 December, 2005
*cite news|accessdate=2008-01-11
url= http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CE0DE173DF93BA3575BC0A966958260
title=Lemuel Shepherd Jr., 94, Ex-Chief Of Marines Who Served in 3 Wars
author=Fowler, Glenn
work=New York Times
date=August 8, 1990

External links

*cite web|accessdate=
url=http://www.archives.gov/research/ww2/photos/images/ww2-159.jpg
title=Photo of General Shepherd during Okinawa campaign

Further reading

*cite book
accessdate=2007-11-03
url=http://www.nps.gov/archive/wapa/indepth/extContent/usmc/pcn-190-003135-00/sec7.htm
title=The Final Campaign: Marines in the Victory on Okinawa
author=Alexander, Colonel Joseph H., USMC (Ret)
series=Marines in World War II Commemorative Series
publisher=History and Museums Division, United States Marine Corps
location=Washington, D.C.
year=1995