Maurice E. Shearer

Maurice Edwin Shearer
Born (1879-12-19)December 19, 1879
Marion County, Indiana
Died June 26, 1953(1953-06-26)
Buried at Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance  United States of America
Service/branch  United States Marine Corps
Rank Brigadier General
Service number 0-884
Unit 5th Marine Regiment
Commands held

1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment
[1]

2nd Marine Division[2]
Battles/wars

World War I

World War II
Awards Distinguished Service Cross[3]
Navy Cross
Silver Star
French Legion of Honour

Maurice Edwin Shearer (December 19, 1879 - June 26, 1953) was a highly decorated Brigadier General in the United States Marine Corps. In 1918, Major Shearer of the 5th Marine Regiment, led Marines in the World War I Battle of Belleau Wood in France, where he was awarded the Navy Cross, Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, French Legion of Honor[3] (Chevalier) and Croix de Guerre.[4]

Early life and education

Shearer was born on December 19, 1879[5] to Mary Jane McClelland and Samuel Henry Shearer. He attended Shortridge High School in Indianapolis, Indiana, but dropped out before graduation to join the 27th Indiana Battery, in which he served during the Spanish American War.[6][7] After leaving the battery, he moved to Ohio and served as a manager for a contracting company.[6]

Marine Corps career

In 1901, Shearer enlisted in the United States Marine Corps[6] and rose to the rank of Sergeant.[8] He received a commission as an officer in 1905, scoring fourth in his commission exams.[6] Immediately following commission, he attended the School of Application at Annapolis, Maryland with fellow classmates Holland Smith, and Andrew B. Drum.[9] In July, Shearer sailed for duty to be the commander of the 35 man Marine Detachment on Midway Island.[6]

In May 1908, he was selected for promotion to First Lieutenant.[10]

During World War I, forces under Major Shearer's command made an attack on Belleau Wood, finally clearing that forest of Germans.[11] On 26 June 1918, he sent a now famous report: "Woods now U.S. Marine Corps entirely,"[12] ending one of the bloodiest and most ferocious battles U.S. forces would fight in the war.

In September 1922, Shearer was selected to become the Marine aide to Secretary of the Navy Edwin Denby.[13]

During World War II, Shearer remained in active service with the rank of Colonel and served as Commanding officer of the Marine Base within Mare Island Naval Shipyard, California. He finally retired from the Marine Corps on January 1, 1944 and was advanced to the rank of Brigadier General on the retired list for having been specially commended in combat.

Personal life

On December 28, 1908, Shearer married his first wife, Madeline M. Brown, the daughter of astronomer Stimson Joseph Brown.[14] On June 6, 1928, he married Nancy Caperton Shepard, the widow of fellow Marine Ralph Lunt Shepard.

Maurice Shearer died in 1953, and is buried in Section 10, Site 10928-B of Arlington National Cemetery.[5]

Decorations

  
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
1st Row Navy Cross Distinguished Service Cross Navy Distinguished Service Medal French Fourragère
2nd Row Silver Star Marine Good Conduct Medal Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal Spanish Campaign Medal
3rd Row Army of Puerto Rican Occupation Medal Mexican Service Medal World War I Victory Medal with five battle clasps Army of Occupation of Germany Medal
4th Row Nicaraguan Campaign Medal (1933) American Defense Service Medal American Campaign Medal World War II Victory Medal
5th Row Chevalier of the Légion d'honneur French Croix de guerre 1914-1918 with palm Verdun Medal Nicaraguan Presidential Order of Merit with gold star

Notes

  1. ↑ Neumann, Brian Fisher (2006). Pershing's right hand: General James G. Harbord and the American Expeditionary Forces in the First World War. Texas A&M University. p. 287. ISBN 9780542841132.
  2. ↑ Crawford, Danny J; Aquilina, Robert V; Ferrante First3=Ann A.; Kaljot, Lena M; Gramblin, Shelia P (2001). The 2d Marine Division and Its Regiments (PDF). Washington, D.C.: History and Museums Division, Headquarters, United States Marine Corps. p. 24. ISBN 0-16-050817-7. Retrieved 29 March 2016.
  3. 1 2 "Hall of Valor. Maurice E. Shearer". Retrieved 10 March 2012.
  4. ↑ Clark, George B. (2007). Decorated Marines of the Fourth Brigade in World War I. North Carolina: McFarland. p. 95. ISBN 9781476607184. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  5. 1 2 Maurice E. Shearer at Find a Grave
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 "Boy Will Rule Island". Barbour County Index. Medicine Lodge, Kansas. July 11, 1906. p. 2. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  7. ↑ Robison II, Kenneth H. "A Roster of the 27th Battery, Indiana Volunteer Artillery". The Spanish American War Centennial Website. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  8. ↑ "Candidates for Marine Corps". Army and Navy Register. 36: 6. October 15, 1904. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  9. ↑ Miller, Anne Cipriano Venzon ; foreword by J. Michael (2003). Defending the Marine Corps : the career of Lieutenant General "Howling Mad" Smith. Westport, CT: Praeger. p. 10. ISBN 9780275949068. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  10. ↑ "Promotions in Marine Corps". Army and Navy Register. 43: 21. May 16, 1908.
  11. ↑ Curtis, Capt. Thomas J. (March 1919). History of the Sixth Machine Gun Battalion, Fourth Brigade, U.S. Marines, Second Division, And Its Participation in the Great War. Neuweid on the Rhine, Germany.
  12. ↑ McBreen, 1stLt B.B. (6 June 1994). "2nd Battalion 5th Marines at Belleau Wood" (PDF). 2d Battalion, 5th Marines. p. 3.
  13. ↑ "Shearer Aide to Denby". Evening Star. Washington, DC. September 15, 1922. p. 11. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  14. ↑ "Officer's Wedding Rushed by Orders". The Washington Times. Washington, DC. December 28, 1908. p. 12. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
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