Walter Stauffer McIlhenny Walter Stauffer McIlhenny ( October 22 , 1910 - June 22 , 1985 ) served as president of McIlhenny Company , maker of Tabasco brand pepper sauce , from 1949 until his death in 1985 . He also distinguished himself as a member of the U . S . Marine Corps Reserve — receiving the Navy Cross for his actions during the Battle of Guadalcanal and retiring as a brigadier general . He was a co - founder , trustee , and president emeritus of the Marine Military Academy in Harlingen , Texas . Military service . Having joined the Virginia National Guard in 1931 and served on its rifle team , McIlhenny transferred to the U . S . Marine Corps Reserve in 1935 , attended Platoon Leaders Class , and served as captain of the U . S . Marine Corps Reserve rifle team . Called to active duty when the United States became involved in World War II , McIlhennny spent 31 months in the western Pacific as a member of B Company , 1st Battalion , 5th Marines , 1st Marine Division . At Guadalcanal , he received the Navy Cross , the Silver Star , and the Purple Heart . He also saw action at New Britain and at Peleliu , where he received a second Purple Heart . Upon retirement from the Marine Corps Reserve , McIlhenny received a promotion to brigadier general . McIlhenny ' s combat helmet , along with the captured Japanese samurai sword that dented it , are on display at the National World War II Museum ( formerly the National D - Day Museum ) in New Orleans , Louisiana . Business career . Despite his interest in military service , McIlhenny felt obliged to enter the family business around 1940 , when he began executive training at McIlhenny Company , maker of world - famous Tabasco brand pepper sauce at Avery Island , Louisiana . McIlhenny ' s grandfather , Edmund McIlhenny , had invented the fiery condiment , and his father , John Avery McIlhenny , had presided over the company from 1890 to 1898 . World War II interrupted McIlhenny ' s training at McIlhenny Company , but he returned to the organization in 1946 , assumed its presidency in 1949 , and retained that office until his own death in 1985 . During his tenure as head of the company , McIlhenny expanded and modernized the production and marketing of Tabasco brand pepper sauce and helped to mold the brand into an international culinary icon . Personal life . A bon vivant and gourmet , McIlhenny was closely acquainted with many luminaries of the food world , such as James Beard and Paul Prudhomme . McIlhenny was an avid hunter , participated in many big game hunts in the U . S . and Canada , and went on several African safaris and Indian shikars . A lifetime member of the National Rifle Association , he also served on the committee that oversaw the U . S . Olympic rifle and pistol team . McIlhenny died June 22 , 1985 , in Lafayette , Louisiana , and was interred in a family cemetery at Avery Island , Louisiana . Unmarried , he left much of his estate to Marine Military Academy . Medals and decorations . A partal list of Walter S . McIlhenny ' s medals and decorations includes : McIlhenny is also the recipient of the following marksmanship awards : Navy Cross citation . His Navy Cross citation reads as follows : Silver Star citation . His citation on receiving the Silver Star reads thus :