Name Robert Bohn | Died 2002 | |
Education George Washington University People also search for Arthur W. Radford, Edward A. Craig, Joseph Stalin | ||
Robert Dewey Bohn (November 30, 1921 - November 3, 2002) was an highly decorated officer of the United States Marine Corps with the rank of Major General. He served in three wars and concluded his career as Commanding General of the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune.
Biography
Robert D. Bohn was born in Neenah, Wisconsin on November 30, 1921 and following the high school, he graduated with a Bachelor's degree from the University of San Francisco and later with a Master's degree from George Washington University. Following his university studies, Bohn enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve and was commissioned Second lieutenant in 1944. Upon the completion of basic training, he was assigned to the Marine Detachment aboard the light aircraft carrier USS Monterey and participated in Battle of the Philippine Sea towards the end of June 1944. Bohn later took part in battles Iwo Jima and Okinawa with the same unit during 1945 and after the War's end, he decided to remain on active service.
With the outbreak of the Korean War, Bohn sailed to Korea as First lieutenant and Commanding officer of "G" Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines under Lieutenant colonel Robert Taplett. He took part in the Battle of Pusan Perimeter within 1st Marine Division under Major general Oliver P. Smith in August 1950 and his task was to lead his "G" Company up to the hill held by enemy in the vicinity of Kosong. Advancing under enemy rifle and machine gun fire, Bohn was wounded in the shoulder and neck, but refused to be evacuatedand continued personally leading and deploying his troops into effective attack. Only until all enemy forces were anihilated, he allowed to be taken to the rear and his wounds to be dressed. For this act of Valor, Lieutenant Bohn was decorated with Silver Star.
Following his recovery from his wounds, Bohn returned to his "G" Company and later took part in the Battle of Inchon in September 1950, where he lead his company up to the radio hill near Wolmido and subsequently secured the near Sowolmi-do.
Bohn later participated in the Second Battle of Seoul at the end of September 1950 and following his promotion to the rank of Captain, he was appointed an naval aide to General Omar Bradley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Bohn also served as an Tactical instructor at Camp Pendelton, California, and at Marine Corps Base Quantico, before he was transferred to Vietnam and appointed Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations with the staff of 1st Marine Division under the command of Major general Donn J. Robertson. He took part in the Operation Allen Brook in the summer of 1968 and received Legion of Merit with Combat "V" for his service in this capacity.
He was transferred to the 5th Marine Regiment in and within this capacity, he commanded the Marine troops during the Operation Auburn at the end of December 1968. The operation was successful under his command and he received his second Silver Star for Valor.
Bohn was later ordered back to the United States and attended the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in Washington, D.C.. He was also promoted to the rank of Brigadier General and appointed Assistant Division Commander, 2nd Marine Division at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Bohn also served as temporary Division commander from June 5 to the September 28, 1971, when his superior, Major general Michael P. Ryan was appointed Deputy Commander Fleet Marine Force Atlantic.
His last assignment was Commanding general of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune from August 22, 1973 to September 1, 1974, when he retired after 30 years of service. Following his retirement, he was active in business and founded Courts Royal Raquetball Clubs. Bohn later lived in Alexandria, Virginia, before he moved to Falls Church, Virginia.
Major general Robert D. Bohn died of Pneumonia on November 3, 2002 at Fairfax Nursing Center. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery together with his wife Anna Marie Serocca. They had together two daughters, Barbara and Nancy.