ERSKINE, Graves B., General: USMC 1897-1973 Caldwell Parish, Louisiana
Submitted by William P. Wise


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General Graves B. Erskine, USMC (1897-1973)

"Introduction
    Gen Graves B. Erskine is best remembered in the history of the Corps for 
his contributions to military education, for exceptional abilities as a staff 
officer, and for his no-nonsense approach to leadership and command.  A tall, 
muscular man with a seamed face, Erskine was a "relentless, brooding, brilliant
officer with high military standards . . . and an abrupt manner that cowed the
timid and irritated the strong."  He was known throughout the Corps as an expert
in operational matters and tactical planning. This combination of intellect and
forceful personality led to his being chosen for a long series of key staff and
command assignments from before World War II until his retirement from the 
position of Director of Special operations in 1961 - a span of exceptional 
high-level service covering more than two decades.

Marine Corps Career
    Graves Blanchard Erskine was born in Columbia, LA, on 28 June 1897 and 
graduated from Louisiana State University in 1917.  A member of the Louisiana 
National Guard, he enlisted May 1917 and reported to Quantico for active duty on 
5 July 1917. Sailing to France with the 6th Marines, Erskine served as a platoon
leader and took part in all of the major engagements with the 4th Marine Brigade
including Belleau Wood, Soissons, and St. Mihiel where he was severely wounded.
Erskine was evacuated to the United States, awarded the Silver Star, and after a
long recuperation, served successively on recruiting duty (1918-20), in Haiti 
(1921), on sea duty aboard the USS Olympia (1922), in Santo Domingo (1923), and 
as Depot Quartermaster, Quantico (1924).  Except for tours in Nicaragua 
(1928-1930) and China (1935-1937) he spent the rest of the 1920s and 1930s in a 
series of assignments studying military affairs and teaching tactics at Fort 
Leavenworth and Quantico. 
    With World War 11 approaching, Erskine became the executive officer of the 
5th Marines.   In 1941, however, he was chosen as MajGen Holland M. Smith's chief
of staff for the newly formed Amphibious Forces, Atlantic (1941-42).  He continued
as Smith's chief of staff in Amphibious Forces, Pacific (1942-44).  When MajGen 
Smith took command of the V Amphibious Corps for the landings on Saipan and Tinian,
he again retained Erskine as his chief of staff, releasing him finally to assume 
command of the 3d MarDiv (170ct44). Erskine then led that division in the assault
on Iwo Jima (1945), displaying the exceptionally aggressive leadership that was his
style.  Following the war he became administrator of the Retraining and 
Reemployment Administration for returning veterans (1945-47), a job that gained him
national attention. His final years in the Corps were spent commanding Camp 
Pendleton and the 1st and 3rd Divisions; the Marine Corps Emergency Forces, Western
Sea Frontier; and Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic.  LtGen Erskine was advanced to the
rank of general by a special act of Congress prior to his retirement in July 1953. 
    Retirement did not mark the end of Erskine's public service. For nearly 8 more
years he was Director of Special Operations with the title of Assistant Secretary
of Defense. He remained active in the private sector up until his death on 22 May
1973. In recognition of Gen Erskine's life-long interest in professional military
education, his widow, Mrs. Constance B. Erskine, in conjunction with what is now
the Marine Corps University Foundation, established the General Graves B. Erskine
Lecture Series in February 1984, a program that greatly enriches military 
education in Quantico."  END OF ARTICLE

A side note:  Graves Blanchard ERSKINE is buried in section five of the Arlington
National Cemetery.  See the Arlington National Cemetery web site and conduct a
search using "erskine".  A biography (short) is provided.

This article was submitted to the USGENWEB archives with permission from the 
Managing Editor, Mr. Steve Crittenden, Marine Corps Gazette, Box 1775, Quantico,
VA, 22134. It is a verbatim copy (less photos) of that contained in the April 1997
Marine Corps Gazette. This article contained two photographs:  One, titled "BGen
Graves B. Erskine (right) served as LtGen Holland M. Smith's Chief of Staff from
1941 to mid-1944", and the other, "Gen Erskine, shown here as a MajGen".  This
entry submitted by William P. Wise, 4672 Revere Drive, Virginia Beach, Virginia
23456-4812