Richard Marshall (United States Army officer) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Richard Jaquelin Marshall
Born	(1895-06-16)16 June 1895 Markham, Virginia, U.S.
Died	3 August 1973(1973-08-03) (aged 78) Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S.
Buried	Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington County, Virginia, U.S.
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Army
Years of service	1915–1946
Rank	Major General
Service number	0-4635
Unit	Field Artillery Branch
Battles/wars	Pancho Villa Expedition World War I World War II
Awards	Distinguished Service Cross Army Distinguished Service Medal (3) Silver Star Legion of Merit Distinguished Service Star (Philippines) (2) Legion of Honour (France) Order of Orange-Nassau (Netherlands)
Relations	BG St. Julien R. Marshall George C. Marshall (Distant Cousin) John Marshall (Ancestor)
Other work	Superintendent of the Virginia Military Institute

Major General Richard Jaquelin Marshall (born June 16, 1895 – died August 3, 1973) was an important officer in the United States Army.

He fought in the 1st Division during World War I. By the end of World War II, he became the Chief of Staff for U.S. Army forces in the Pacific Ocean area.

Early Life and School

Richard Marshall was born in Markham, Fauquier County, Virginia, on June 16, 1895. His family had a history of serving the country. His great-grandfather, John Marshall, was the first chief justice of the Supreme Court. He was also a distant cousin of George Catlett Marshall, another famous general.

Richard went to public schools and then to Norfolk Academy. In 1911, he started at the Virginia Military Institute (VMI). He studied electrical engineering and graduated in 1915.

After college, he worked as a chemist. He also joined the National Guard. In 1916, he became a First Lieutenant when the Guard was called to duty for the Mexican Border War. Later that year, he joined the Regular Army as a second lieutenant in the field artillery.

World War I Service

When the United States entered World War I in April 1917, the army grew quickly. Marshall was sent to the 6th Field Artillery. This unit was part of the 1st Division, which was the first American division sent to fight in France.

Marshall fought in major battles on the Western Front. These included the Battle of Soissons and the Meuse–Argonne offensive. During the Meuse-Argonne battle in November 1918, he was wounded by a German shell. He stayed in army hospitals in France until March 1919. By then, the war had ended. He was promoted to captain.

Between the Big Wars

After World War I, Marshall returned to the U.S. He worked for the Quartermaster Corps, which handles supplies and logistics for the army. He helped build a hospital and worked at different army bases.

In 1929, he was sent to the Philippines. There, he helped with construction projects, including the start of the Malinta Hill Tunnel. This tunnel later became General MacArthur's command center during World War II.

Marshall came back to the U.S. in 1932. He continued his military education at various colleges, including the Army War College. He married Nell B. Mutter and they had two children. Sadly, Nell passed away in 1934. He later married Isabel Crum in 1935.

In 1939, General Douglas MacArthur asked Marshall to return to the Philippines. Marshall helped MacArthur advise the Philippine government on building its army. In 1941, he became Deputy Chief of Staff for U.S. Army Forces in the Far East.

World War II Experience

After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Marshall was promoted to brigadier general. He stayed as Deputy Chief of Staff. When the Japanese invasion of the Philippines began, General MacArthur moved his command to Corregidor Island. Marshall joined him there.

As the Japanese forces closed in, MacArthur and his staff, including Marshall, had to escape Corregidor. On March 11, 1942, they left by PT boats under the cover of night. They traveled to Australia, arriving on March 17, 1942.

In Australia, Marshall had to tell MacArthur that the U.S. forces were not strong enough to immediately take back the Philippines. This news made it clear that the war would last much longer than expected.

Marshall continued to serve as MacArthur's Deputy Chief of Staff for the Southwest Pacific Command. He was promoted to Major General. He helped manage the growing U.S. Army forces in the Pacific.

In 1945, after Japan surrendered, Marshall became Deputy Chief of Staff for the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers (SCAP). On September 2, 1945, he was with MacArthur on the USS Missouri when the surrender treaty was signed.

After World War II

In May 1946, Marshall was asked to become the Superintendent of the Virginia Military Institute (VMI), his old school. He retired from the Army in November 1946 and became the 7th Superintendent of VMI.

During his time at VMI, he helped the school grow a lot. He increased the number of students from 300 to 950. He also expanded the school's academic and military programs. He helped raise a lot of money for the VMI Foundation and oversaw the building of new cadet barracks.

The grave of Major General Richard J. Marshall at Arlington National Cemetery.

In 1952, he retired from VMI after having a stroke. He moved to Florida and passed away on August 3, 1973, in Fort Lauderdale. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia. His brother, Brigadier General St. Julien R. Marshall, was later buried next to him.

Awards and Honors

Major General Richard J. Marshall received many awards for his brave service: