Louis H. Wilson, Jr.

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Louis H. Wilson, Jr. bigraphy, stories - United States Marine Corps Medal of Honor recipient

Louis H. Wilson, Jr. : biography

February 11, 1920 – June 21, 2005

General Louis Hugh Wilson, Jr. (February 11, 1920 – June 21, 2005) was a World War II recipient of the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Guam, and 26th Commandant of the Marine Corps.

Early life

Louis was born in Brandon, Mississippi. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1941 from Millsaps College, Jackson, Mississippi, where he participated in football and track. Louis was also an active member of the Alpha Iota Chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, initiated on February 23, 1939.

Post military

General Wilson retired on June 30, 1979 and returned to his home in Mississippi. For “exceptionally distinguished service” during his four-year tenure as Commandant, 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.

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

Awards and decorations

Wilson was the recipient of the following awards:

  
number=2|type=award-star|ribbon=Purple Heart BAR.svg|width=106}} number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Navy and Marine Corps Commendation ribbon.svg|width=106}} number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=US Navy Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon.png|width=106}} number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon.svg|width=106}}
number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=American Defense Service ribbon.svg|width=106}} number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=American Campaign Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} number=3|type=service-star|ribbon=Asiatic-Pacific Campaign ribbon.svg|width=106}} number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=World War II Victory Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} number=2|type=service-star|ribbon=Vietnam Service Ribbon.svg|width=106}} number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Ribbon bar Officer National Order of Vietnam.gif|width=106}} number=1|type=award-star|ribbon=Vietnam gallantry cross-w-palm-3d.svg|width=106}}
number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Gugseon Security Medal Ribbon.png|width=106}} number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=PLH Commander.png|width=106}} number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Vietnam gallantry cross unit award-3d.svg|width=106}} number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Vietnam Campaign Medal Ribbon.png|width=106}}
1st Row Medal of Honor Defense Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit w/ valor device & 2 award stars Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge
2nd Row Purple Heart w/ 2 award stars Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal Navy Presidential Unit Citation w/ 1 service star Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation
3rd Row American Defense Service Medal American Campaign Medal Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal w/ 3 service stars World War II Victory Medal
4th Row National Defense Service Medal w/ 1 service star Vietnam Service Medal w/ 2 service stars National Order of Vietnam, Officer degree Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/ palm & gold star
5th Row Korean Order of National Security Merit, Gugseon Medal Philippine Legion of Honor, rank of Commander Vietnam Gallantry Cross unit citation Vietnam Campaign Medal