Years of service 1939–1971 Rank Major General | Name Rathvon Tompkins | |
Battles/wars World War II* Battle of Guadalcanal* Battle of Tarawa* Battle of SaipanKorean WarVietnam War* Tet Offensive* Battle of Khe Sanh Commands held 5th Marine Regiment, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, 3rd Marine Division | ||
Allegiance United States of America | ||
Major General Rathvon McClure Tompkins (August 23, 1912 – September 17, 1999) was a United States Marine Corps general who received decorations for his gallantry in combat during World War II, the Vietnam War and the Korean War. He was born in Boulder, Colorado, the son of Anne Cochran Rathvon ((1887 - 1924) and Howard Richard Kelsey Tompkins (1882 - 1945). His father served in the 89th Division during World War I commanding a battery of field artillery and rising to the rank of Major. Richard KeHe was awarded the Navy Cross for his actions during the Battle of Saipan and the Silver Star for actions during the Battle of Tarawa.
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Biography
Tompkins was born in Boulder, Colorado in 1912. He dedicated more than 32 years of service to the Marine Corps.
Tompkins served in the Pacific during World War II. He was the commanding officer of a battalion that fought on the island of Saipan in the Marianas. He received the Navy Cross for his act of gallantry on Saipan on 17 June 1944. He also obtained a Silver Star at Tarawa and a Bronze Star at Guadalcanal.
Tompkins participated in the 1965 U.S. occupation of the Dominican Republic. In June 1966 he was put in command of the Marine Corps Recruit Depot on Parris Island.
He was also active during the Korean War, commanding the 5th Marines of the 1st Marine Division.
In 1967 Tompkins was stationed in South Vietnam, in command of the 3rd Marine Division. His division participated in the Battle of Khe Sanh.
Retirement
Tompkins served as base commander of the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, in North Carolina for two years. He then retired from active duty in 1971.
He died on 17 September 1999 in Lexington, South Carolina, following a stroke.