Louis H. Wilson Jr.: Difference between revisions

| name = Louis H. Wilson Jr.

| image = GEN Wilson, Louis Hugh Jr..jpg

| image_size =

| alt =

| caption = General Louis H. Wilson Jr.

| nickname =

| birth_date = {{Birth date|1920|2|11}}

| birth_place = [[Brandon, Mississippi]], U.S.

| death_date = {{Death date and age|2005|6|21|1920|2|11}}

| death_place = [[Birmingham, Alabama]], U.S.

| placeofburial = [[Arlington National Cemetery]]

| allegiance = United States

| branch = [[United States Marine Corps]]

| serviceyears = 1941–1979

| rank = [[General (United States)|General]]

| unit =

| commands = [[Commandant of the United States Marine Corps|Commandant of the Marine Corps]]<br/>[[I Marine Amphibious Force]]<br/>[[6th Marine Corps District]]<br/>[[The Basic School]]<br/>[[2nd Battalion, 5th Marines]]

| battles = [[World War II]]

| awards = [[Medal of Honor]]<br/>[[Defense Distinguished Service Medal]] (2)<br/>[[Legion of Merit]] (3)<br/>[[Purple Heart]] (3)<br/>[[Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal]]

| relations =

| laterwork =

'''Louis Hugh Wilson Jr.''' (February 11, 1920 – June 21, 2005) was a [[General (United States)|general Marine Corps]] in the [[General (United States)|four-star Marine Corpsgeneral]] and a [[World War II]] recipient of the [[Medal of Honor]] for his actions during the [[Battle of Guam (1944)|Battle of Guam]]. He served as the 26th [[Commandant of the United States Marine Corps|commandant of the Marine Corps]] from 1975 until his retirement from the Marine Corps in 1979, after 38 years of service.

Wilson was born on February 11, 1920, in [[Brandon, Mississippi]], on February 11, 1920. He earned a [[Bachelor of Arts]] degree in 1941 from [[Millsaps College]], in [[Jackson, Mississippi]], where he participated in football and track. Wilson was also an active member of the Alpha Iota Chapterchapter of [[Pi Kappa Alpha]] [[Fraternities and sororities|fraternity]], initiated on February 23, 1939.

Wilson returned to duty as Commandingcommanding Officerofficer, Company D, Marine Barracks, [[Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton|Camp Pendleton]], [[California]]. In December 1944, he was transferred to [[Washington, D.C.]], where he served as Detachmentdetachment Commandercommander at the [[Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C.|Marine Barracks]]. While in Washington, he was presented the Medal of Honor by President [[Harry S. Truman]]. He was promoted to [[Major (United States)|major]] in March 1945.

From June 1946 until August 1951, Wilson had consecutive tours as Deandean and Assistantassistant Directordirector, [[Marine Corps Institute]]; Aideaide-de-Campcamp to the Commandingcommanding Generalgeneral, [[Fleet Marine Force]] (FMF), Pacific; and Officerofficer in Chargecharge, District Headquarters Recruiting Station, New York City.

Promoted to [[Lieutenant colonel (United States)|lieutenant colonel]] in November 1951, while stationed at [[Quantico, Virginia]], Wilson served consecutively as Commandingcommanding Officerofficer of The Basic School's 1st Training Battalion; Commandingcommanding Officerofficer of Camp Barrett; and Executiveexecutive Officeofficer of The [[Basic School]]. He completed the Officer's Senior Course in August 1954.

After a brief tour as a Seniorsenior Schoolschool Instructorinstructor, Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, Wilson departed for Korea to serve as Assistantassistant G-3, [[1st Marine Division (United States)|1st Marine Division]]. In August 1955, he returned to the United States with the 1st Division, and was appointed Commandingcommanding Officerofficer, [[2nd Battalion, 5th Marines]], 1st Marine Division. In March 1956, Wilson was assigned to [[Headquarters Marine Corps]] (HQMC), serving two years as Headhead, Operations Section, G-3 Division. He then returned to Quantico, first as Commandingcommanding Officerofficer of the Test and Training Regiment, and later as Commandingcommanding Officerofficer of [[The Basic School]].

In June 1962, after graduation from the [[National War College]], Wilson was assigned as Jointjoint Plansplans Coordinatorcoordinator to the Deputydeputy Chiefchief of Staffstaff (Plansplans and Programsprograms), HQMC.

Wilson transferred to the 1st Marine Division and deployed with the division in August 1965, stopping at Okinawa before going to [[Vietnam War|Vietnam]]. As Assistantassistant Chiefchief of Staffstaff, G-3, 1st Marine Division, he was awarded the [[Legion of Merit]] and the Republic of Vietnam [[Gallantry Cross (Vietnam)|Cross of Gallantry]] with Gold Star.

[[File:Marine general officers symposium group photo 1967.jpg|thumb|left|Wilson as a BGenbrigadier general at the 1967 General Officers Symposium (2nd from left, top row)]]

Upon his return to the United States in August 1966, Wilson assumed command of the 6th Marine Corps District, Atlanta, Georgia. Promoted to [[Brigadier general (United States)|brigadier general]] in November 1966, he was assigned to HQMC in January 1967, as Legislativelegislative Assistantassistant to the Commandantcommandant of the Marine Corps until July 1968. He then served as Chiefchief of Staffstaff, Headquarters, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, until March 1970, earning a second Legion of Merit.

In April 1971, Wilson returned to Quantico for duty as Deputydeputy for Educationeducation/Directordirector, Education Center, Marine Corps Development and Education Command. He was promoted to lieutenant general in August 1972 and on September 1, 1972, assumed command of Fleet Marine Force, Pacific. During that tour, Wilson was presented the [[Order of National Security Merit (Korea)|Korean Order of National Security Merit]], Guk-Seon Medal, 2d Class and the [[Philippine Legion of Honor]] (Degree of Commander) for his service to those countries.

Wilson was promoted to [[General (United States)|general]] on July 1, 1975, when he assumed the office of [[Commandant of the United States Marine Corps|Commandant of the Marine Corps]]. As Commandantcommandant, Wilson repeatedly stressed modernization of the post-Vietnam Marine Corps. He insisted on force readiness, responsiveness, and mobility by maintaining fast-moving, hard-hitting expeditionary units, each consisting of a single integrated system of modern ground- and air-delivered firepower, tactical mobility, and electronic countermeasures. Wilson was the first Marine Corps Commandantcommandant to serve full-time on the [[Joint Chiefs of Staff]].<ref name=ANC>Arlington National Cemetery profile.</ref>

|colspan="4" align="center" |[[Medal of Honor]]

|colspan="4" align="center" |[[Defense Distinguished Service Medal]] w/ [[Oak leaf cluster|Bronze oak leaf cluster]]

|colspan="4" align="center" |[[Legion of Merit]] w/ [[valor device]] & 2 [[award star]]s

|colspan="3" align="center" |[[Purple Heart]] w/ 2 award stars

|colspan="3" align="center" |[[Commendation Medal|Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal]]

|colspan="3" align="center" |[[Presidential Unit Citation (United States)|Navy Presidential Unit Citation]] w/ 1 [[service star]]

|colspan="3" align="center" |[[Meritorious Unit Commendation|Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation]]

|colspan="3" align="center" |[[American Defense Service Medal]]

|colspan="3" align="center" |[[American Campaign Medal]]

|colspan="3" align="center" |[[Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal]] w/ 3 service stars

|colspan="3" align="center" |[[World War II Victory Medal]]

|colspan="3" align="center" |[[National Defense Service Medal]] w/ 1 service star

|colspan="3" align="center" |[[Vietnam Service Medal]] w/ 2 service stars

|colspan="3" align="center" |[[National Order of Vietnam]], Officer degree

|colspan="3" align="center" |[[Vietnam Gallantry Cross]] w/ palm & gold star

|colspan="3" align="center" |[[Order of National Security Merit (Korea)|Korean Order of National Security Merit]], Gugseon Medal

|colspan="3" align="center" |[[Philippine Legion of Honor]], rank of Commander

|colspan="3" align="center" |[[Vietnam Gallantry Cross|Vietnam Gallantry Cross unit citation]]

|colspan="3" align="center" |[[Vietnam Campaign Medal]]

{{quoteblockquote|For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as Commanding Officer of Company F, Second Battalion, Ninth Marines, Third Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces at Fonte Hill, Guam, Marianas Islands, 25 and July 26, 1944. Ordered to take that portion of the hill within his zone of action, Captain Wilson initiated his attack in midafternoon, pushed up the rugged, open terrain against terrific [[machine gun|machine-gun]] and [[rifle]] fire for 300 yards and successfully captured the objective. Promptly assuming command of other disorganized units and motorized equipment in addition to his own company and one reinforcing platoon, he organized his night defenses in the face of continuous hostile fire and, although wounded three times during this five-hour period, completed his disposition of men and guns before retiring to the company command post for medical attention. Shortly thereafter, when the enemy launched the first of a series of savage counterattacks lasting all night, he voluntarily rejoined his besieged units and repeatedly exposed himself to the merciless hail of [[Shrapnel shell|shrapnel]] and bullets, dashing fifty yards into the open on one occasion to rescue a wounded Marine lying helpless beyond the front lines. Fighting fiercely in [[hand-to-hand combat|hand-to-hand encounters]], he led his men in furiously waged battle for approximately ten hours, tenaciously holding his line and repelling the fanatically renewed counterthrusts until he succeeded in crushing the last efforts of the hard-pressed Japanese early the following morning. Then, organizing a seventeen-man patrol, he immediately advanced upon a strategic slope essential to the security of his position and, boldly defying intense [[mortar (weapon)|mortar]], machine-gun and rifle fire which struck down thirteen of his men, drove relentlessly forward with the remnants of his patrol to seize the vital ground. By his indomitable leadership, daring combat tactics and dauntless valor in the face of overwhelming odds, Captain Wilson succeeded in capturing and holding the strategic high ground in his regimental sector, thereby contributing essentially to the success of his regimental mission and to the annihilation of 350 Japanese troops. His inspiring conduct throughout the critical periods of this decisive action enhanced and sustained the highest traditions of the [[United States Department of the Navy|United States Naval Service]].

Wilson retired on June 30, 1979, and returned to his home in Mississippi. For "exceptionally distinguished service" during his four-year tenure as Commandantcommandant, and his contributions as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, he received the [[Defense Distinguished Service Medal]] (first [[oak leaf cluster]]), upon retirement.

Wilson died at his home in [[Birmingham, Alabama]], on June 21, 2005. As with all former Marine Corps Commandantscommandants, in accordance with Article 1288 of Navy Regulations, all ships and stations of the Department of the Navy flew the national flag at half-mast from the time of Wilson's death until sunset of the date of interment. Wilson was buried with [[military funeral|full military honors]] in [[Arlington National Cemetery]] on July 19, 2005.

*Wilson Boulevard and Wilson Gate in [[Camp Lejeune]], [[North Carolina]].<ref>{{Cite web|accessdateaccess-date=2014-11-20|url=http://www.jdnews.com/news/military/new-base-gate-will-offer-traffic-congestion-relief-1.348789|title=New base gate will offer traffic congestion relief |publisher=Jacksonville Daily News|archive-date=2014-11-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129112909/http://www.jdnews.com/news/military/new-base-gate-will-offer-traffic-congestion-relief-1.348789|url-status=dead}}</ref>

*Wilson Hall, the headquarters building for [[Officer Candidates School (United States Marine Corps)|Marine Corps Officer Candidates School]], in [[Quantico, Virginia]].<ref>{{cite web|accessdateaccess-date=2014-11-20|url=http://themilitaryengineer.com/index.php/2012-nov-dec/item/173-achieving-aesthetics-and-functionality|title=Achieving Aesthetics and Functionality|publisher=The Military Engineer|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180317100626/http://themilitaryengineer.com/index.php/2012-nov-dec/item/173-achieving-aesthetics-and-functionality|archive-date=2018-03-17|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|accessdateaccess-date=2014-11-20|url=http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=67037|title=Marine Corps Dedicates OCS Battalion Command Post|publisher=United States Navy|archive-date=2014-11-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129051732/http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=67037|url-status=dead}}</ref>

*[[USS Louis H. Wilson Jr.]] (DDG 126).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-09-17 |title=Secretary Mabus Names Two Destroyers for Medal of Honor Recipients |url=http://www.defense.gov/News/News-Releases/News-Release-View/Article/947833/secretary-mabus-names-two-destroyers-for-medal-of-honor-recipients |titlearchive-url=Secretary Mabus Names Two Destroyers https://web.archive.org/web/20170113020006/https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Releases/News-Release-View/Article/947833/secretary-mabus-names-two-destroyers-for Medal -medal-of-honor-recipients Honor Recipients|last=|firstarchive-date=2017-01-13 |access-date=2016-09-1719 |website=DOD Press Operations|publisher=|access-date=2016-09-19}}</ref>

{{Portal|Biography|World War II|United States Marine Corps}}

*{{Cite web|accessdateaccess-date=2008-01-12|url=http://www.tecom.usmc.mil/HD/Whos_Who/Wilson_LH.htm|title=General Louis Hugh Wilson Jr., USMC|work=Who's Who in Marine Corps History|publisher=[[United States Marine Corps History Division]]|archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120717000033/http://www.tecom.usmc.mil/HD/Whos_Who/Wilson_LH.htm|archivedatearchive-date=2012-07-17}}

*{{Cite web|accessdate=|url=http://www.usmc.mil/moh.nsf/000003c919889c0385255f980058f5b6/0000033ba9f47a7385255fa60056e50d?OpenDocument |archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070220130758/http://www.usmc.mil/moh.nsf/000003c919889c0385255f980058f5b6/0000033ba9f47a7385255fa60056e50d?OpenDocument|archivedatearchive-date=2007-02-20|title=Capt Louis H. Wilson Jr., Medal of Honor, 1944, 2/9/3, Guam (Medal of Honor citation)|work=Marines Awarded the Medal of Honor|publisher=History Division, United States Marine Corps}}

*{{Cite web|accessdateaccess-date=2007-04-21|url=http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/lhwilson.htm|title=Louis Hugh Wilson Jr., General, United States Marine Corps|publisher=Arlington National Cemetery}}

*{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Qns8bW_SESYC|title=Commandants of the Marine Corps|editorseditor1=Allan Reed Millett and |editor2=Jack Shulimson|pages=427–436|publisher=[[United States Naval Institute|Naval Institute Press]]|location=[[Annapolis, Maryland]]|year=2004|isbn=978-0-87021-012-9}}

*{{cite web|url=http://www.usmc.mil/unit/hqmc/Pages/2005/26th%20Commandant%20laid%20to%20rest,%20a%20hero.aspx |title=26th Commandant laid to rest, a hero |first=Staff Sgt David L. |last=Crockett |work=[[Headquarters Marine Corps]] |publisher=United States Marine Corps |date=July 19, 2005 |archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120531203609/http://www.marines.mil/unit/hqmc/Pages/2005/26th%20Commandant%20laid%20to%20rest%2C%20a%20hero.aspx |archivedatearchive-date=May 31, 2012 |deadurl=yes |dfurl-status=dead }}

{{Succession box |before = [[Robert Everton Cushman Jr.]] |title = [[Commandant of the United States Marine Corps|Commandant of the Marine Corps]] |years = 1975–1979 |after = [[Robert H. Barrow]]}}

[[Category:AmericanUnited States Marine Corps personnel of World War II]]

[[Category:AmericanUnited States Marine Corps personnel of the Vietnam War]]

[[Category:Recipients of the National Order of Vietnam|4 Wilson, Louis H., Jr.]]