William W. Ashurst
| William Wallace Ashurst | |
|---|---|
Colonel Ashurst while in Japanese captivity
|
|
| Born |
October 30, 1893 Green Ridge, Missouri |
| Died | February 18, 1952 (aged 58) Beaufort, South Carolina |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Marine Corps
|
| Years of service | 1917-1946 |
| Rank |
 Brigadier General
|
| Service number | 0-28 |
| Commands held | China Marines |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards |
Silver Star Legion of Merit Purple Heart |
William Wallace Ashurst (October 30, 1893 – February 18, 1952) was a Brigadier General in the United States Marine Corps, who served as a last commander of the North China Marine Detachment. He was captured by Japanese forces on December 8, 1941 and was held in captivity for the rest of the war.
William W. Ashurst was born on October 30, 1893 in Green Ridge, Missouri. Ashurst attended the Wentworth Military Academy in Lexington, Missouri and was commissioned a Second lieutenant in the Marine Corps Reserve on May 21, 1917. He was assigned to the Marine Corps Rifle Range in Winthrop, Maryland, before he embarked for France. Ashurst also received the regular Marine Corps commission in September of the same year.
During World War I, he fought with the 5th Marine Regiment, 2nd Division within American Expeditionary Force. In June 1918, Ashurst was wounded, while leading an attack on a German machine gun post during the Battle of Belleau Wood. For his service during the battle, Ashurst was decorated for gallantry in action with the Silver Star He was also awarded the Croix de Guerre 1914–1918 with Gilt Star by the government of France.
Ashurst returned to the United States in April 1920 and was assigned to Marine Barracks Portsmouth, New Hampshire. He also attended the advanced course at Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas in June 1935 and served on the various marine post. In 1939, Ashurst served as a battalion commander in the 6th Marine Regiment stationed in San Diego, California. In this capacity, his direct superior was Samuel L. Howard, also prisoner of war from the Battle of Corregidor.
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