MAJOR GENERAL GRAVES B. ERSKINE, USMC, Winn Pr. LA.
Contributed by Greggory E. Davies 
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                     MAJOR GENERAL GRAVES B. ERSKINE, USMC


"Major General Graves B. Erskine, USMC, has assumed command 
of the Marine Corps' Department of the Pacific, it was announced 
here today.  General Erskine, former chief of the military group of 
the Joint State-Defense Mission to Southeast Asia, a part of the Mutual 
Defense Assistance Program, will make his headquarters at 100 Harrison 
Street, San Francisco.

"A native of (Sikes, Winn Parish) Louisiana and a graduate of Louisiana 
State University, General Erskine has served with the Marines since 1917.  
During World War II he was chief of staff of the Fifth Amphibious Corps 
and the Fleet Marine Corps, Pacific.  He commanded the Third Marine 
Division during the assault on Iwo Jima and was awarded the Distinguished 
Service Medal for his part in the action.

"A wounded veteran of World War I, General Erskine was awarded the 
Silver Star for bravery and was cited by General John J. Pershing and in 
the general orders of the War Department.  His duty stations between 
the two wars included Santa Domingo, Puerto Rico, Nicaragua, and the 
American Embassy at Peking.  When World War II broke out he was 
chief of staff of the Amphibious Force, Atlantic Fleet.  in addition to the 
Silver Star and Distinguished Service Medal, General Erskine's decorations 
and medals include the Legion of Merit and the Gold Star in lieu of a second 
Legion of Merit, both awarded for exceptionally meritorious service during 
the last war; the Purple Heart, France, 1918; Victory Medal, France, 1918; 
Expeditionary Medal with one Bronze Star, Haiti, 1921, Santo Domingo, 
1924; Second Nicaraguan Campaign Medal, 1928-1930; American Defense 
Service Medal; American Campaign Medal; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal 
with three Bronze Stars; Victory Medal World War I; Nicaraguan Medal of 
Merit, 1929-1930; and the French Fourragere, 1918."


(The above article was taken from either the Winn Parish News American 
or Winn Parish Enterprise, date missing from article.  The article was a 
reprint from the Oakland Tribune, Oakland, California.  This information 
submitted by Greggory Ellis Davies, Winnfield, LA.)  
Greggory E. Davies
120 Ted Price Lane
Winnfield, LA  71483