Maurice E. Shearer

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Maurice Edwin Shearer
File:Maurice E. Shearer.jpg
Born (1879-12-19)December 19, 1879
Marion County, Indiana
Died June 26, 1953(1953-06-26)
Buried
Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch  United States Marine Corps
Rank US-O7 insignia.svg Brigadier General
Unit 5th Marine Regiment
Commands held 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment

3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment
[1]

2nd Marine Division[2]
Battles/wars World War I
Awards Distinguished Service Cross[3]
Navy Cross
Silver Star
French Legion of Honour

Maurice Edwin Shearer was a Brigadier General in the United States Marine Corps. In 1918, Major Shearer of the 5th Marine Regiment, led Marines in the World War I Battle of Belleau Wood in France, where he was awarded the Navy Cross, Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, French Legion of Honor[3] (Chevalier) and Croix de Guerre.[4]

Early life and education

Shearer was born on December 19, 1879[5] to Mary Jane McClelland and Samuel Henry Shearer. He attended Shortridge High School in Indianapolis, Indiana, but dropped out before graduation to join the 27th Indiana Battery, in which he served during the Spanish American War.[6][7] After leaving the battery, he moved to Ohio and served as a manager for a contracting company.[6]

Marine Corps career

In 1901, Shearer enlisted in the United States Marine Corps[6] and rose to the rank of Sergeant.[8] He received a commission as an officer in 1905, scoring fourth in his commission exams.[6] Immediately following commission, he attended the School of Application at Annapolis, Maryland with fellow classmates Holland Smith, and Andrew B. Drum.[9] In July, Shearer sailed for duty to be the commander of the 35 man Marine Detachment on Midway Island.[6]

In May 1908, he was selected for promotion to First Lieutenant.[10]

During World War I, forces under Major Shearer's command made an attack on Belleau Wood, finally clearing that forest of Germans.[11] On 26 June 1918, he sent a now famous report: "Woods now U.S. Marine Corps entirely,"[12] ending one of the bloodiest and most ferocious battles U.S. forces would fight in the war.

In September 1922, Shearer was selected to become the Marine aide to Secretary of the Navy Edwin Denby.[13]

Personal life

On December 28, 1908, Shearer married his first wife, Madeline M. Brown, the daughter of astronomer Stimson Joseph Brown.[14] On June 6, 1928, he married Nancy Caperton Shepard, the widow of fellow Marine Ralph Lunt Shepard.

Maurice Shearer died in 1953, and is buried in Section 10, Site 10928-B of Arlington National Cemetery.[5]

Notes

  1. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Maurice E. Shearer at Find a Grave
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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