Richard C . Mangrum Richard C . Mangrum ( October 27 , 1906 – September 28 , 1985 ) was a United States Marine Corps lieutenant general who served as Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps from 1965 to 1967 . Mangrum was a Marine Corps aviator who was awarded the Navy Cross and the Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions during the Guadalcanal Campaign in World War II . On October 1 , 1965 , Mangrum became the " Gray Eagle " of Naval Aviation , and is the first Marine Aviator to attain this distinction . Biography . Richard C . Mangrum was born on October 27 , 1906 in Seattle , Washington . He graduated from the University of Washington in 1928 . Mangrum then enlisted in the United States Marine Corps to become a naval aviator . He completed flight training on August 20 , 1929 and was commissioned a second lieutenant shortly thereafter . On December 7 , 1941 , Mangrum , then with VMSB - 232 , was at Pearl Harbor . Twenty of his squadron ' s SBD Dauntless dive bombers were destroyed on the tarmac at Marine Corps Air Station Ewa . During the early months of the Guadalcanal Campaign in 1942 , he commanded VMSB - 232 , the first scout bomber squadron to join the Cactus Air Force . On August 20 , Mangrum ' s dozen SBD Dauntless aircraft launched from the deck of the USS Long Island ( CVE - 1 ) escorted by F4F Wildcats from Maj John Smith ' s VMF - 223 to become the first Marine planes to land on the new airfield that had just been constructed . They were met on the tarmac by Alexander Vandegrift then commanding general of the 1st Marine Division . He was awarded the Navy Cross and Distinguished Flying Cross for successful attacks on Japanese naval units during engagements such as the Battle of the Eastern Solomons . During his first 29 days ashore during the battle , Mangrum flew 28 missions including ten strikes , eight searches and seven reconnaissance patrols in support of both ground and naval forces . He returned to the United States at the end of World War II , and was assigned duty in Headquarters Marine Corps to re - activate the Marine Corps Reserve aviation organization , serving until July 1948 . He was a graduate of the Naval War College Senior Course in 1949 , and from 1949 to 1951 , served on the Faculty in the Strategy and Tactics Department . Mangrum was awarded a second Legion of Merit with Combat " V " during the Korean War , 1951 , for duty as Commanding Officer , Marine Aircraft Group 12 . Later , he was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat " V " as First Marine Aircraft Wing Liaison Officer to Headquarters , 5th Air Force in Seoul , Korea in 1952 . Returning to the United States , Mangrum served as Deputy Director , Marine Corps Educational Center , Marine Corps Schools , Marine Corps Base Quantico , Virginia , from 1952 to 1954 . He commanded Marine Corps Air Station Miami from 1954 to 1955 and Marine Aircraft Group 31 ( MAG - 31 ) ( Reinforced ) from 1955 to 1956 . He also commanded the Marine Air - Ground Landing Force in Atlantic Fleet amphibious exercises before going to Washington , D . C . in June 1956 . He was promoted to brigadier general on July 1 , 1956 , and served as Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff , G - 3 , for strategic plans and Joint Chiefs of Staff matters . Mangrum served with the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing in Japan , February 1959 , as Assistant Wing Commander . He was promoted to major general on November 1 , 1959 , and served as the Commanding General of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing until April 1960 . He then served as Deputy Commander , Fleet Marine Force , Atlantic , 1960 – 1961 , and later Commanding General , 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing , October 1961 to August 1963 . General Mangrum was named Director , Marine Corps Educational Center , Quantico , and served there from 1963 to 1965 . On October 1 , 1965 , General Mangrum succeeded to the title " Gray Eagle " of Naval Aviation , becoming the first Marine Aviator to attain this distinction . The " Gray Eagle " is the earliest designated aviator on active duty in the Navy and Marine Corps . Mangrum was designated a Naval Aviator in August 1929 . He assumed office as Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps on July 1 , 1965 , and was advanced to the rank of lieutenant general . He retired June 30 , 1967 after being awarded the Navy Distinguished Service Medal at Marine Barracks , Washington , D . C . . He died on September 28 , 1985 in Southern Pines , North Carolina at the age of 78 . He was buried in Arlington National Cemetery on October 4 , 1985 . Decorations and awards . LtGen . Mangrum ' s awards include :