Ross T . Dwyer Ross T . Dwyer ( July 20 , 1919 – October 8 , 2001 ) was a United States Marine Corps major general who retired in 1974 after over 32 years of service . MajGen Dwyer served in combat in World War II , the Korean War , and in the Vietnam War . His commands included the 5th Marine Division and the 1st Marine Division . Biography . Ross T . Dwyer was born in Honolulu , Hawaii on July 20 , 1919 . He graduated from Punahou School in Honolulu in 1937 . He studied economics at Stanford University where he was a member of the Chi Psi fraternity , earning his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1942 . In 1941 , while at Stanford , he joined the United States Marine Corps Reserve . He was commissioned a Marine Corps second lieutenant on September 26 , 1942 . World War II . During World War II , Dwyer served as a 5 - inch battery and machine gun officer with the Marine Detachment aboard the USS " South Dakota " in both the European Theater of Operations and the Pacific Theater , participating in four major naval campaigns . After his sea duty , he became a tank instructor at Camp Pendleton , California . Post - war . Immediately following the war , Dwyer returned to Hawaii as the commanding officer of the Marine Barracks , Naval Air Station ( NAS ) Kaneohe Bay and then at the Naval Air Facility ( NAF ) Johnson Islands ( Pacific Ocean ) . He next served briefly with the 2nd Marines as a company commander . In February 1948 , he entered the Amphibious Warfare School , Junior Course , Marine Corps Schools , Quantico , Virginia . Upon graduation in August 1948 , he joined the 2nd Marine Division where he served consecutively as a company commander with the 8th Marines and 6th Marines ; as Officer in Charge ( OIC ) , Division NCO School ; S - 3 , 2nd Battalion , 6th Marines ; and S - 3 , 2nd Battalion , 8th Marines . He was promoted to major in January 1951 , and was transferred to Headquarters Marine Corps in June of that year where he served as Head , Enlisted Promotion Section , Personnel Department . Korean War . In September 1952 , Dwyer was ordered to Korea . During the Korean War , he served as Executive officer ( XO ) of the USMC Advisory Groupto the 1st Korean Marine Corps Regiment ; As S - 3 , 5th Marines ; Assistant G - 3 ( Ops ) and Assistant G - 3 ( Plans ) for the 1st Marine Division . After Korea . Dwyer returned to the States in August 1953 and served for two years as an aide to the Joint Chiefs of Staff . In December 1955 , he was promoted to lieutenant colonel . From 1955 to 1958 , Dwyer served as an instructor at Marine Corps Schools , Ouantico , followed by a tour of duty in London on the staff of CINCNELM / CINCUSNAVEUR , After attending the Armed Forces Staff College , he joined the 2nd Marine Division and assumed command of the 2nd Battalion , 6th Marines as Assistant Force Marine Officer , Amphibious Plans and Operations Officer . While in this assignment he participated in contingency operations in Lebanon in 1958 . He was deployed to the U . S . 6th Fleet as Commander , Task Force 62 ( Landing Force ) and later was deployed as the Commanding officer , Battalion Landing Team ( BLT ) 2 / 6 during the Cuban contingency operations . In December 1962 , LtCol Dwyer became Asst G - 1 of the 2nd Marine Division . Ordered overseas in June 1963 , he joined the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing ( 1st MAW ) in Japan as Assistant G - 1 , later becoming G - 1 . While serving in this capacity , he was promoted to colonel in July 1964 . He returned to U . S . in July 1964 . From September 1 , 1964 to late January 1965 , was assigned as Head , Western Region Team , Joint Plans Group , DC / s , Plans and Programs , at Headquarters Marine Corps . From February 1965 to June 1967 , Dwyer served as USMC Aide to the Secretary of the Navy ( SecNav ) . In May 1968 , Col Dwyer graduated from the National War College , Washington , D . C . . Vietnam War . In June 1968 , Dwyer reported to the Republic of Vietnam , and was assigned as the CO , 1st Marines , 1st Marine Division ( Reinforced ) , FMF . He was promoted to brigadier general on August 14 , 1968 , and subsequently served as Assistant Division Commander , 1st Marine Division ; Commanding General ( CG ) Task Force Yankee , 1st Marine Division ; and finally as G - 3 , III Marine Amphibious Force . Post - Vietnam . Following his return to the States in late June 1969 , Dwyer commanded the 5th Marine Division until it was deactivated in December 1969 . He then commanded the 5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade , which was redesignated the 5th Marine Amphibious Brigade on September 1 , 1967 . On April 30 , 1971 , Dwyer became Commanding General 1st Marine Division at Camp Pendleton , California and also assumed additional duties as Commanding General I Marine Amphibious Force . BGen Dwyer was promoted to major general in August 1971 . After leaving the 1st Marine Division on August 10 , 1972 , he served as Deputy Director , Joint Staff , Joint Chiefs of Staff , Washington , D . C . , until February 1973 , when he became Deputy Commander , Fleet Marine Force , Atlantic . He received a second gold star in lieu of a third award of the Legion of Merit upon his retirement on September 1 , 1974 . Major General Ross T . Dwyer died on October 8 , 2001 at the age of 82 . Awards . His personal decorations include :