John Robertson

Administrator
Staff member
  • SURNAME
Shapley
  • FORENAME
Alan
  • UNIT
2 Raider Regiment (Commanding Officer)
  • RANK
Lieutenant Colonel
  • NUMBER
0-4272
  • AWARD
Navy Cross,Legion of Merit with Combat "V"
  • PLACE
Bougainville 1943 (LoM) Guam 1944 (NC)
  • ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 9.2.1903 New York,New York
educated Vallejo,California
graduated from Peddie School,Highstown,New Jersey 1922
graduated from U.S.Naval Academy 2.6.1927
commissioned 2Lt U.S.M.C.
Quantico Barracks,Virginia
Marine Officers Basic School,Philadelphia Naval Yard
Marine Barracks,Pearl Harbor,Hawaii 1929-31
various capacities at San Diego,California 1931-33
USS San Francisco 1934-36
First Lieutenant January 1934
ADC to Commanding General,Marine Barracks,Quantico 1936
Captain July 1936
Junior Course of the Marine Corps Schools,Quantico 1937-38
ADC to Commanding General,Department of the Pacific,San Francisco 1938-39
Operations,Training and Intelligence Officer of the Department of the Pacific 1939-40
USS Arizona 1940-41
Major August 1941
awarded Silver Star for 7.12.1941 Pearl Harbor
Personnel Officer to the Amphibious Corps,Pacific Fleet 1941-42
Lieutenant Colonel August 1942
Personnel Officer 1st Amphibious Corps 1942-43
2 Marine Raider Bn (Commanding Officer) 22.3.1943 - 30.8.1943
2 Marine Raider Regiment (Commanding Officer) 12.9.1943 - 26.1.1944
1 Marine Raider Regiment (Commanding Officer) 26.1.1944 - 1.2.1944
4 Marine Regiment (Commanding Officer) February 1944 - 1945
Colonel November 1944
awarded Gold Star in lieu of second Legion of Merit for Okinawa 1945
Assistant Inspector,Inspection Division,Marine Corps HQ,Washington,D.C. 1945-46
National War College,Washington,D.C. 1946-47
Assistant Chief of Staff,G-3(Ops and Training),Fleet Marine Force,Atlantic 1947-49
Personnel Officer + Chief of Staff,Marine Corps Recruit Depot,San Diego 1949-50
International Planning Staff of the Standing Group,NATO 1951-53
Chief of Staff,1st Marine Division,Korea 1953
awarded Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V"
Senior Adviser to Korean Marine Corps 1954
awarded Ulchi Medal with Silver Star (Rep.of Korea)
C.O. + Commanding General,Troop Training Team,Amphibious Group,Western Pacific,Japan 1954-55
Brigadier General July 1954
Assistant Commander,1st Marine Division,Camp Pendleton,California 1955-56
Commander,Recruit Training Command,Marine Corps Recruit Depot,San Diego 1956
Major General September 1956
Commanding General,3rd Marine Division,Fleet Marine Force,Okinawa 1956-57
Director of Marine Corps Reserve,HQ Marine Corps,Washington,D.C. 1957-59
Commanding General,Marine Corps Base,Camp Pendleton,California 1959-61
Lieutenant General April 1961
Commanding General,Fleet Marine Force,Pacific,Camp H.M.Smith,Hawaii 1961-62
retired 1.7.1962
died 13.5.1973 Bethesda,Maryland (Aged 70)
 

CITATION:

Navy Cross : The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Colonel Alan Shapley (MCSN: 0-4272), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer of the Fourth Marine Regiment (Reinforced), First Provisional Marine Brigade, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Guam, Marianas Islands, from 21 July to 10 August 1944. Courageously leading his regiment in an assault landing against strong enemy beach defenses, Lieutenant Colonel Shapley rapidly seized the assigned beachhead and defended the area against fanatical hostile counterattacks. Upon relief of the force beachhead line, he valiantly led his troops in a determined assault up the left half of the Orote Peninsula and, despite the difficult terrain and strong enemy defenses, seized an important airfield and annihilated the Japanese in that area. Vigorously patrolling in the southern half of the island to eliminate hostile elements there, he then directed his men in the final attack on the northern half of the island. His leadership, caring combat tactics and great personal valor reflect the highest credit upon Lieutenant Colonel Shapley and the United States Naval Service.

Silver Star : The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star (Army Award) to Lieutenant Colonel Alan Shapley (MCSN: 0-4272), United States Marine Corps, for gallant and courageous conduct during the attack on the United States Pacific Fleet by enemy Japanese forces in Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii, while on board the U.S.S. ARIZONA (BB-39), on 7 December 1941. While swimming ashore after his ship had been bombed and set afire by the enemy, Major Shapley noticed a shipmate in distress in the water and about to go under. With no thought for his own safety, he braved the hazards of continuous enemy strafing and bombing to swim to the assistance of his helpless shipmate and, although exhausted himself, persisted in his efforts until he finally succeeded in bringing him safely ashore. His heroic action, performed at great peril to his own life, was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Legion Of Merit : The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat "V" to Colonel Alan Shapley (MCSN: 0-4272), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer of the Fourth Marines, SIXTH Marine Division, during operations against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, from 1 April to 21 June 1945. Landing his Regiment in the assault on Okinawa, Colonel Shapley found only light opposition on the beach and, exploiting his advantage by advancing rapidly, captured an extremely important enemy airfield. Later, leading an attack on Mount Yaetake, the major stronghold on Motobu Peninsula in Northern Okinawa, he rapidly destroyed the fierce enemy resistance, driving the Japanese from these bitterly contested positions with heavy losses. For the capture of Oruku Peninsula, his regiment effected an amphibious assault, forced a beachhead and then destroyed the enemy in his elaborate cave and pillbox defensive positions. In addition, Colonel Shapley led his Regiment in the assault on the enemy's final defensive positions, overcame the fanatical resistance and drove them to final collapse. His leadership, courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Colonel Shapley is authorized to wear the Combat "V".)

Legion Of Merit (Gold Star) : The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit with Combat "V" to Lieutenant Colonel Alan Shapley (MCSN: 0-4272), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer of the Second Marine Raider Regiment, in connection with the operations of the THIRD Marine Division, Reinforced, against enemy Japanese forces on Bougainville, Solomon Islands, 1 November 1943. From the date of the Division's initial attack until his regiment was withdrawn from the Island, Lieutenant Colonel Shapley capably directed and coordinated operations of his regiment in furtherance of the seizure of a beachhead from Japanese forcers. By his brilliant combat tactics and matchless leadership, he contributed materially to his regiment's success in defeating and inflicting heavy casualties upon the enemy at every encounter. His skill, sound judgment and unwavering devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Lieutenant Colonel Shapley is authorized to wear the Combat "V".)

WEB LINKS:

https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/8170
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Shapley
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