Louis H . Wilson , Jr . 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 . Wilson 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 . Wilson was also an active member of the Alpha Iota Chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity , initiated on February 23 , 1939 . Military career . Wilson enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve in May 1941 and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in November of that year . After attending officers ’ basic training , he was assigned to the 9th Marine Regiment at Marine Corps Base , San Diego , California . World War II . Lieutenant Wilson was deployed to the Pacific theater with the 9th Marines in February 1943 , making stops at Guadalcanal , Efate , and Bougainville . He was promoted to Captain in April 1943 . During the assault on Guam , on 25 - July 26 , 1944 , while commanding Company F , 2nd Battalion , 9th Marines , Wilson earned the nation ’ s highest honor for heroism in combat when he and his company repelled and destroyed a numerically superior enemy force . Because of wounds received , he was evacuated to the U . S . Naval Hospital , San Diego , where he remained until October 16 , 1944 . Captain Wilson returned to duty as Commanding Officer , Company D , Marine Barracks , Camp Pendleton , California . In December 1944 , he was transferred to Washington , D . C . , where he served as Detachment Commander at the Marine Barracks . While in Washington , he was presented the Medal of Honor by President Truman . He was promoted to major in March 1945 . 1946 to 1965 . From June 1946 until August 1951 , Maj Wilson had consecutive tours as Dean and Assistant Director , Marine Corps Institute ; Aide - de - Camp , Commanding General , Fleet Marine Force ( FMF ) , Pacific ; and Officer in Charge , District Headquarters Recruiting Station , New York City . Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in November 1951 , while stationed at Quantico , Virginia , he served consecutively as Commanding Officer of The Basic School ’ s 1st Training Battalion ; Commanding Officer of Camp Barrett ; and Executive Office of The Basic School . He completed the Officer ’ s Senior Course in August 1954 . After a brief tour as a Senior School Instructor , Marine Corps Schools , Quantico , he departed for Korea to serve as Assistant G - 3 , 1st Marine Division . In August 1955 , he returned to the United States with the 1st Division , and was appointed Commanding Officer , 2nd Battalion , 5th Marines , 1st Marine Division . In March 1956 , LtCol Wilson was assigned to Headquarters Marine Corps ( HQMC ) , serving two years as Head , Operations Section , G - 3 Division . He then returned to Quantico , first as Commanding Officer of the Test and Training Regiment , and later as Commanding Officer of The Basic School . In June 1962 , after graduation from the National War College , he was assigned as Joint Plans Coordinator to the Deputy Chief of Staff ( Plans and Programs ) , HQMC . Vietnam War . He transferred to the 1st Marine Division and deployed with the Division in August 1965 , stopping at Okinawa before going to Vietnam . As Assistant Chief of Staff , G - 3 , 1st Marine Division , he was awarded the Legion of Merit and the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Gold Star . 1966 to 1975 . Upon his return to the United States in August 1966 , Col Wilson assumed command of the 6th Marine Corps District , Atlanta , Georgia . Promoted to brigadier general in November 1966 , he was assigned to HQMC in January 1967 , as Legislative Assistant to the Commandant of the Marine Corps until July 1968 . He then served as Chief of Staff , Headquarters , Fleet Marine Force , Pacific , until March 1970 , earning a second Legion of Merit . He was advanced to the grade of Major General in March 1970 and assumed command of I Marine Amphibious Force , 3rd Marine Division on Okinawa , where he was awarded a third Legion of Merit for his service . In April 1971 , he returned to Quantico for duty as Deputy for Education / Director , Education Center , Marine Corps Development and Education Command . He was promoted to lieutenant general in August 1972 and on September 1 , 1972 assumed command of Fleet Marine Force , Pacific . During that tour , LtGen Wilson was presented the Korean Order of National Security Merit , GUK - SEON Medal , 2d Class and the Philippine Legion of Honor ( Degree of Commander ) for his service to those countries . Commandant of the Marine Corps . Wilson was promoted to General on July 1 , 1975 , when he assumed the office of Commandant of the Marine Corps . As Commandant , General Wilson repeatedly stressed modernization of the post - Vietnam Marine Corps . He insisted on force readiness , responsiveness , and mobility by maintaining fast - moving , hard - hitting expeditionary units , each consisting of a single integrated system of modern ground - and air - delivered firepower , tactical mobility , and electronic countermeasures . General Wilson was the first Marine Corps Commandant to serve full - time on the Joint Chiefs of Staff . Awards and decorations . Wilson was the recipient of the following awards : Medal of Honor citation . The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to CAPTAIN LOUIS H . WILSON , JR . UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS for service as set forth in the following CITATION : For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as Commanding Officer of Company F , Second Battalion , Ninth Marines , Third Marine Division , in action against enemy Japanese forces at Fonte Hill , Guam , Marianas Islands , 25 and July 26 , 1944 . Ordered to take that portion of the hill within his zone of action , Captain Wilson initiated his attack in midafternoon , pushed up the rugged , open terrain against terrific machine - gun and rifle fire for 300 yards and successfully captured the objective . Promptly assuming command of other disorganized units and motorized equipment in addition to his own company and one reinforcing platoon , he organized his night defenses in the face of continuous hostile fire and , although wounded three times during this five - hour period , completed his disposition of men and guns before retiring to the company command post for medical attention . Shortly thereafter , when the enemy launched the first of a series of savage counterattacks lasting all night , he voluntarily rejoined his besieged units and repeatedly exposed himself to the merciless hail of shrapnel and bullets , dashing fifty yards into the open on one occasion to rescue a wounded Marine lying helpless beyond the front lines . Fighting fiercely in hand - to - hand encounters , he led his men in furiously waged battle for approximately ten hours , tenaciously holding his line and repelling the fanatically renewed counterthrusts until he succeeded in crushing the last efforts of the hard - pressed Japanese early the following morning . Then , organizing a seventeen - man patrol , he immediately advanced upon a strategic slope essential to the security of his position and , boldly defying intense mortar , machine - gun and rifle fire which struck down thirteen of his men , drove relentlessly forward with the remnants of his patrol to seize the vital ground . By his indomitable leadership , daring combat tactics and dauntless valor in the face of overwhelming odds , Captain Wilson succeeded in capturing and holding the strategic high ground in his regimental sector , thereby contributing essentially to the success of his regimental mission and to the annihilation of 350 Japanese troops . His inspiring conduct throughout the critical periods of this decisive action enhanced and sustained the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service . / S / HARRY S . TRUMAN 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 .