Alpha L . Bowser Alpha Lyons Bowser ( August 21 , 1910 – July 13 , 2003 ) was a United States Marine Corps lieutenant general . He was a combat veteran of World War II and the Korean War — decorated for his actions during the Battle of Iwo Jima and in the Battle of Chosin Reservoir . Biography . Alpha Lyons Bowser was born on August 21 , 1910 in Crafton , Pennsylvania . He graduated from high school in Crafton in 1928 . He entered the United States Naval Academy that year , and was commissioned a Marine Corps second lieutenant upon graduation on June 2 , 1932 . Early Marine Corps career . Bowser completed the Basic School at the Philadelphia Navy Yard in June 1933 , and later saw duty on the . In July 1934 , he was assigned to the 1st Marine Brigade , Quantico , Virginia . He served there until July 1935 , when he was promoted to first lieutenant . Bowser then entered the Army Field Artillery School at Fort Sill , Oklahoma , and upon completing the course in June 1936 , returned to Quantico . In June 1937 , he joined the Marine Detachment on the . He was promoted to captain in October 1938 . Detached from the " Nevada " in January 1939 , Bowser was transferred to San Diego , California . He served on the 2nd Brigade Staff and commanded artillery batteries there until June 1940 , when he returned to Quantico to serve as an artillery instructor for two years . He was promoted to major in May 1942 . World War II . In July 1942 , Bowser joined the 3rd Marine Division at Camp Lejeune , North Carolina , serving initially as Commanding Officer , 2nd Battalion , 12th Marines , and later as Assistant G - 3 . He moved with his unit to San Diego that October , and sailed for the Pacific area in January 1943 . He was promoted to lieutenant colonel in March 1943 . Bowser served as an observer during the New Georgia Campaign in August 1943 , and as Assistant G - 3 and G - 3 of the 3rd Marine Division during the Bougainville Campaign in November and December 1943 . For heroic achievement in the latter assignment , he was awarded his first Bronze Star . In February 1944 , Bowser was given command of the 3rd 105mm Howitzer Battalion , 12th Marines , 3rd Marine Division . He was awarded a second Bronze Star Medal for outstanding service in this capacity during the recapture of Guam , and his first Legion of Merit with Combat " V " during the Iwo Jima campaign . Following his return to the United States in May 1945 , Bowser was stationed at Headquarters Marine Corps as Chief , Records Branch , Personnel Department , until May 1946 . He then served for three years on the Staff of the Marine Corps Schools at Quantico . He was promoted to colonel in August 1949 . Korean War . In September 1949 , Bowser joined the Staff of Fleet Marine Force , Pacific , in Honolulu , Hawaii , as Assistant G - 3 and Naval Gunfire Officer . He served in this capacity until July 1950 when he was ordered to Korea . There he served as Assistant Chief of Staff , G - 3 , 1st Marine Division . For outstanding service during the Inchon - Seoul and Chosin Reservoir actions , respectively , he was awarded a second and third Legion of Merit with Combat " V " . 1950s and 1960s . After his return from Korea in May 1951 , Col Bowser served at Camp Pendleton , California , as Assistant Chief of Staff , G - 3 , of the Marine Corps Base , until February 1952 , when he became Chief of Staff of the 3rd Marine Division . In July 1952 , he was ordered to Paris , France , where he served until July 1954 as Staff Officer , Plans Branch , and Senior Marine Officer , Supreme Headquarters , Allied Powers , Europe ( SHAPE ) . On his return to Washington , he entered the National War College in August 1954 , completing the course in June 1955 . In July 1955 , Bowser transferred to San Diego and began a year ' s duty on the Staff of Commander , Amphibious Force , U . S . Pacific Fleet , as Assistant Chief of Staff for Troop Operations and Training , and Force Marine Officer . In August 1956 , he assumed command of the Recruit Training Command , Marine Corps Recruit Depot , San Diego . He was promoted to brigadier general in September 1956 . Bowser served in San Diego until June 1958 , when he became Assistant Division Commander , 1st Marine Division , Camp Pendleton . In January 1959 , he was assigned as Commanding General , Marine Corps Base , Twentynine Palms , California . While serving in this capacity he was promoted to major general in July 1960 . In October 1960 , Bowser was transferred to Headquarters Marine Corps where he served as Assistant Chief of Staff , G - 1 , and later as Deputy Chief of Staff , Plans and Programs . Upon his detachment in July 1963 , he served for two years as Commanding General , Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune . Nominated for three - star rank by President Lyndon B . Johnson in March 1965 , Bowser began his last active duty assignment as Commanding General , Fleet Marine Force , Atlantic , with headquarters at Norfolk , Virginia , in July 1965 . For service in this capacity from July 1 , 1965 until June 30 , 1967 , he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal . He retired from active duty on June 30 , 1967 . Final years . Lieutenant General Bowser died at his home in Kailua , Hawaii , on July 13 , 2003 at the age of 92 . A memorial service was held for Bowser at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific . His ashes are interred in San Diego , California . Awards and decorations . A complete list of LtGen Bowser ' s medals and decorations include :