This is early 1944 of General Vandergrift at Camp Lejuene replacement training center. That was the WWII “Tent Camp” now Camp Geiger. What I like about this photo besides the 81mm is the other Marines. Although not the “Giants of the Corps“ they did their bit as Marines. They just don’t make it big in most of our history books. The stocky two star wearing the Fourragge is Henry L Larsen he earned it in WWI along with a Navy Cross and 3 Silver Stars he got a second Navy Cross in Nicaragua. He was CG of Base at Lejeune when this was taken. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_L._Larsen The Marine with the raincoat buttoned up Col Victor Bleasdale. Army Distinguised Service Cross, Navy Cross Two Silver Stars in WWI and another Navy Cross in Nicaragua. He was the CO of the replacement center at Lejuene. He was replaced and took over as CO of 29th Marines. Took them to Guadalcanal and became part of the 6th Marine Division. On Okinawa up north not quite up to NTA the CG 6th MarDiv fired him when it appeared he didn’t know what the hell was going on. If you read Goodbye Darkness by William Manchester he was there he got shitcanned and describes it in his book. I learned about Bleasdale when I was stationed in England he went out there to live post WWII when he was retired his memorabilia and medals were displayed in a glass case at the entrance to our Marine Bar! en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victor_Bleasdale Here’s another great link on him lots of articles on him except about on Okinawa HA oldworldwar.wordpress/category/vera-cruz/ The officer walking up in his greens is LtCol William N McKelvy Jr Commanding Officer of a Replacement Battalion .“Tent Camp”. His father was a well known Marine serving from 1893 to 1925. Decorated for bravery with the Brevet Medal at Guantanamo Bay Cuba with Huntington’s Battalion with SgtMaj John Quick. Both father and son retired as Colonels. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_N._McKelvy,_Sr. Col McKelvey Jr was commissioned in 1923 and prior to WWII served in 4th, 12th and 5th Marines, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, Cuba, Guam, Norfolk, Bremerton Washington, HQMC and sea going on the USS George Elliott. He was CO of 3\1 on Guadalcanal before going back to the US and Camp Lejune for the rest of WWII. Joined 1st MarDiv in China and retired before Korea. When he made Colonel he replaced Bleasdale. He was replaced by Chesty Puller when Puller came back after Peleliu. The three Leathernecks on the deck waiting for these heavies to leave so they can train? Don’t know their names but obviously some of those that won the war taking those damn islands! Semper Fi ......
Posted on: Thu, 19 Jun 2014 09:23:46 +0000
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