Louis H. Wilson Jr.

Wounded three times, he held the captured heights upon Guam.

Louis Hugh Wilson Jr. was born at Brandon, Mississippi, on 11 February 1920. He attended Millsaps College, played football and ran track, and graduated in 1941. He joined the Marine Corps Reserve that May and was commissioned in November. Assigned to the 9th Marines, he went overseas in February 1943 and served in the Pacific before becoming a captain.

On 25–26 July 1944, commanding Company F, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, during the assault on Guam, Wilson led the attack on a strongly defended height. Although wounded repeatedly, he continued directing the fighting. He brought disorganised troops into the defensive line, exposed himself to retrieve wounded men and helped organise a small patrol which recovered ground needed to consolidate the position. Through the night his company resisted counterattacks by a larger Japanese force.

His leadership earned the Medal of Honor, presented by President Harry Truman on 5 October 1945. After treatment for his wounds, Wilson returned to service. His career included operational command, staff work, military education and training duties. In Vietnam he served in senior 1st Marine Division appointments. He later commanded Marine forces in the Pacific and received honours from South Korea and the Philippines for service in those countries.

Wilson became the 26th Commandant of the Marine Corps in July 1975. During the transition to an all-volunteer force he emphasised recruiting standards, discipline, readiness and the Corps’ ability to deploy with the Navy. He retired on 30 June 1979 after thirty-eight years of service.

He and his wife Jane had a daughter, Janet. Wilson returned to Mississippi after retirement and later lived in Alabama. He died at Birmingham on 21 June 2005 and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. His career combined the close combat leadership recognised on Guam with responsibility for the entire Marine Corps.