USMC Major General Graves B. Erskine
- – Graduated from high school at 15 as class valedictorian
- – Led the 3rd Marine Div during Battle of Iwo Jima
- – Orchestrated amphibious warfare operations
- – Received Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Legion of Merit with Combat “V”,
- Purple Heart
USMC Maj. Gen. Graves B. Erskine commanded the Third Marine Division during the Battle of Iwo Jima. He began #WWII as the Chief of Staff of the Amphibious Corps and went on to organize amphibious tactics once warfare commenced. In 1944 he was promoted to major general and assigned command of the 3rd MarDiv, which included Hershel “Woody” Williams and the men of Charlie Company. He retired from the U.S. Marine Corps in 1953 as a four-star general and served as assistant to the Secretary of Defense and director of special operations in the Defense Department.
