Graves B. Erskine

Graves Blanchard Erskine
General Graves B. Erskine
Born	(1897-06-28)June 28, 1897 Columbia, Louisiana
Died	May 21, 1973(1973-05-21) (aged 75) Bethesda, Maryland
Place of burial	Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Marine Corps
Years of service	1912-1916 (National Guard) 1917 - 1953 (USMC)
Rank	General
Commands held	3rd Marine Division 1st Marine Division Camp Pendleton Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic
Battles/wars	World War I Battle of Château-Thierry Battle of Belleau Wood Battle of Bouresches Battle of Soissons St. Mihiel Offensive World War II Pearl Harbor Battle of Kwajalein Battle of Saipan Battle of Tinian Battle of Iwo Jima Battle of Guam
Awards	Navy Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star Medal Legion of Merit (2) w/ Combat "V" Purple Heart Medal
Other work	Director of Special Operations of the Department of Defense (1953-1961)

World War I

World War II

General Graves Blanchard Erskine (June 28, 1897 – May 21, 1973) was a United States Marine Corps officer who led the 3rd Marine Division during the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II.

Graves Erskine was born in Columbia, Louisiana, on June 28, 1897, where he graduated from high school at age 15 as class valedictorian. He entered Louisiana State University in the fall of 1912, and joined the Louisiana National Guard. In 1916, he saw duty on the Mexican border. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, May 21, 1917; and graduated in June 1917.

Upon graduation, Erskine reported for active duty in the U.S. Marine Corps as a second lieutenant on July 5, 1917.

In January 1918, he sailed for France, and as a platoon leader in the 6th Marine Regiment, participated in the Aisne-Marne Defensive (Battle of Chateau-Thierry), where he was wounded in action; also fighting at Belleau Wood; Bouresches; and Soissons. In the St. Mihiel Offensive, he was so seriously wounded that he was evacuated to the United States in October 1918, spending a year in the hospital and undergoing nine surgeries.

For bravery in action, he was awarded the Silver Star Medal, was cited by the Commander-in-Chief, AEF, and in General Orders of the War Department, and entitled to wear the French Fourragère as a member of the 6th Marine Regiment.