Samuel Jaskilka Samuel Jaskilka ( December 15 , 1919 – January 15 , 2012 ) was a four - star general whose last assignment was Assistant Commandant of the United States Marine Corps ( 1975 – 1978 ) . General Jaskilka is a highly decorated veteran of the Korean War , having led the landing at Inchon as a company commander with the 2nd Battalion , 5th Marines . He retired from the Marine Corps in 1978 after 34 years of service . Biography . Samuel Jaskilka was born on December 15 , 1919 , in Ansonia , Connecticut , in a family of Ukrainian - Americans . He graduated from Ansonia High School in 1937 . In May 1942 , he graduated from the University of Connecticut , earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration . On September 26 , 1942 , Jaskilka accepted an appointment as a second lieutenant in the U . S . Marine Corps Reserve and was assigned to active duty . He completed the Reserve Officers ' Class , Marine Corps Schools , Quantico , Virginia in 1942 , and completed the Sea School at Portsmouth , Virginia , in 1943 . He accepted an appointment in the regular Marine Corps in March 1943 . World War II . During World War II , Jaskilka served aboard the USS " Princeton " and participated in the Tarawa Island raid , the Gilbert Islands Operation , the Marshall Islands Operation , Palau , Yap , Ulithi , Wolei raids , Marianas Operation , Western Caroline Islands Operation and the Leyte Operation . He served on the USS Princeton and survived its sinking in the Battle of Leyte Gulf On October 24 , 1944 . He was promoted to first lieutenant on June 22 , 1943 . Upon his return to the United States , he was assigned duty as Instructor , Headquarters Company , Troop Leaders Battalion , Camp Pendleton , California until August 1945 . He was promoted to captain in January 1945 . After the war . From September 1945 until May 1947 , Captain Jaskilka saw tours of independent duty with District Headquarters Recruiting Station , Manchester , New Hampshire , and District Headquarters Recruiting Station in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania . In January 1948 , he completed the Amphibious Warfare School , Junior Course , Marine Corps Schools , Quantico , and became Commanding Officer , Marine Detachment , U . S . Naval Air Activities , Port Lyautey , French Morocco . Korean War . In September 1949 , Jaskilka joined the 1st Marine Division and later embarked with the division for Korea serving successively as Battalion Executive Officer and Commanding Officer of Company E , 2nd Battalion , Fifth Marines . He led the first wave of Marines onto Red Beach on September 15 , 1950 in the Invasion of Inchon , Pusan Perimeter as CO of Company E of the 2 / 5 . For heroism in combat in Korea , he received two awards of the Silver Star and a Bronze Star with Combat " V " . He was promoted to major in January 1951 Post Korean War . Jaskilka returned to the States in February 1952 and served as Monitor , Detail Branch , Personnel Department , Headquarters Marine Corps . In July 1954 , he was transferred to Marine Corps Base , Camp Pendleton , for duty as Operations Officer , Marine Corps Test Unit # 1 . He was promoted to lieutenant colonel in December 1955 . Upon completion of the Amphibious Warfare School , Senior Course , Marine Corps Schools , Quantico , in June 1957 , LtCol Jaskilka had a three - year tour of duty as Assistant G - 3 Operations and Plans Officer with Fleet Marine Force , Pacific . He returned to Quantico in July 1960 and served as an Instructor at the Senior School . He reported to the 3rd Marine Division , Fleet Marine Force in July 1963 , and was assigned duty as Executive Officer , Third Marines , and later , Assistant Chief of Staff , G - 3 , SEATO Expeditionary Brigade . Following his return to the United States , he assumed duty as Joint Staff Officer in the Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff , and earned the Joint Service Commendation Medal . He was promoted to colonel in July 1964 . In August 1966 , he was reassigned to Headquarters Marine Corps where he served consecutively as Deputy Manpower Coordinator for Research and Information Systems , G - 1 Division ; as Director , Data Systems Division ; and as Director , Management Analysis Group . He earned the Legion of Merit for his service during the latter two assignments , and was promoted to brigadier general on October 18 , 1968 . Vietnam War . Ordered to the Republic of Vietnam in February 1969 , BGen Jaskilka served as Assistant Division Commander , 1st Marine Division , and CG , Task Force Yankee . In August 1969 , he was reassigned duty as J - 3 , Operations , Military Assistance Command , Vietnam ( MACV ) . He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for his Vietnam service . 1970s : Assistant Commandant . General Jaskilka returned to the United States in August 1970 , and reported to Quantico , where he served as Director , Command and Staff College , then as Deputy for Development / Director . Development Center , Marine Corps Development and Education Command . Following his promotion to major general in August 1972 , he became Assistant Chief of Staff , G - 1 , Headquarters Marine Corps . He served in this capacity until his transfer in July 1973 , to Camp Lejeune , where he served as Commanding General , 2nd Marine Division . He was promoted to lieutenant general on January 2 , 1974 and was assigned as Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower at Headquarters Marine Corps . He remained in that position until July 1 , 1975 when he was named Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps . While serving in that capacity , General Jaskilka was advanced to the grade of general , to rank from March 4 , 1976 . He retired on June 30 , 1978 after thirty - six years of service . Death . Samuel Jaskilka died on January 15 , 2012 , at the age of 92 of pneumonia . His funeral was held on January 26 , 2012 ; he was buried at Arlington National Cemetery . Awards and decorations . General Jaskilka holds the following personal decorations :