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Maurice Edwin Shearer
Maurice E. Shearer
Born (1879-12-19)December 19, 1879
Died June 26, 1953(1953-06-26)
Place of birth Marion County, Indiana
Buried at Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance United States
Service/branch Globeanchor United States Marine Corps
Rank US-O7 insignia 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, Army Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, and French Legion of Honor.[3]

Shearer was born to Mary Jane McClelland & 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. In 1901, Shearer enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He received a commission as an officer in 1905.

During World War I, Major Shearer was ordered to clear the forests of Belleau Wood. On 26 June 1918, he sent a now famous report: "Woods now entirely -US Marine Corps." [4]

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

Notes

  1. Neumann, Brian Fisher (2006). Pershing's right hand: General James G. Harbord and the American Expeditionary Forces in the First World War. Texas A&M University. p. 287. ISBN 9780542841132. 
  2. Crawford, Danny J; Aquilina, Robert V; Ferrante First3=Ann A.; Kaljot, Lena M; Gramblin, Shelia P (2001). The 2d Marine Division and Its Regiments. Washington, D.C.: History and Museums Division, Headquarters, United States Marine Corps. p. 24. ISBN 0-16-050817-7. http://www.marines.mil/news/publications/Documents/THE%202D%20MARINE%20DIVISION%20AND%20ITS%20REGIMENTS%20%20PCN%2019000319300_1.pdf. Retrieved 10 March 2012. 
  3. 3.0 3.1 "Hall of Valor. Maurice E. Shearer". http://militarytimes.com/citations-medals-awards/recipient.php?recipientid=8941. Retrieved 10 March 2012. 
  4. Hickman, Kennedy. "Battle of Belleau Wood - Devil Dogs on the Attack". About.com. http://militaryhistory.about.com/od/worldwari/p/BelleauWood.htm. Retrieved 10 March 2012. 
  5. Anderson, John C. "Maurice Edwin Shearer". FindAGrave.com. http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=49312980. Retrieved 11 March 2012. 
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