Rank Brigadier General Unit 5th Marine Regiment | Died June 26, 1953 Name Maurice Shearer | |
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Born December 19, 1879Marion County, Indiana ( 1879-12-19 ) Commands held 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment2nd Marine Division Battles/wars World War IBattle of Belleau Wood Battles and wars | ||
Maurice Edwin Shearer (December 19, 1879 – June 26, 1953) was a highly decorated 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, Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, French Legion of Honor (Chevalier) and Croix de Guerre.
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Early life and education
Shearer was born on December 19, 1879 to Mary Jane McClelland and 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. After leaving the battery, he moved to Ohio and served as a manager for a contracting company.
Marine Corps career
In 1901, Shearer enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and rose to the rank of Sergeant. He received a commission as an officer in 1905, scoring fourth in his commission exams. Immediately following commission, he attended the School of Application at Annapolis, Maryland with fellow classmates Holland Smith, and Andrew B. Drum. In July, Shearer sailed for duty to be the commander of the 35 man Marine Detachment on Midway Island.
In May 1908, he was selected for promotion to First Lieutenant.
During World War I, forces under Major Shearer's command made an attack on Belleau Wood, finally clearing that forest of Germans. On 26 June 1918, he sent a now famous report: "Woods now U.S. Marine Corps entirely," ending one of the bloodiest and most ferocious battles U.S. forces would fight in the war.
In September 1922, Shearer was selected to become the Marine aide to Secretary of the Navy Edwin Denby.
During World War II, Shearer remained in active service with the rank of Colonel and served as Commanding officer of the Marine Barracks within Mare Island Naval Shipyard, California. He finally retired from the Marine Corps on January 1, 1944 and was advanced to the rank of Brigadier General on the retired list for having been specially commended in combat.
Personal life
On December 28, 1908, Shearer married his first wife, Madeline M. Brown, the daughter of astronomer Stimson Joseph Brown. On June 6, 1928, he married Nancy Caperton Shepard, the widow of fellow Marine Ralph Lunt Shepard.
Maurice Shearer died in 1953, and is buried in Section 10, Site 10928-B of Arlington National Cemetery.