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Liversedge, Harry Bluett "Harry the Horse"

    Date of birth:
    September 21st, 1894 (Volcano/California, United States)
    Date of death:
    November 25th, 1951 (Bethesda/Maryland, United States)
    Buried on:
    Arlington National Cemetery
    Nationality:
    American

    Biography

    Promotions:
    May 1917: Private;
    September 1918: 2nd Lieutenant;
    July 1919: 1st Lieutenant;
    January 1930: Captain;
    July 1936: Major;
    August 1940: Lieutenant Colonel;
    May 1942: Colonel;
    May 1948: Brigadier General.

    Career:
    May 1917: entering service U.S. Marine Corps;
    ?: 5th Marine Brigade;
    1919: Marine Barracks, Quantico, Virginia;
    October 1919: Second Provisional Marine Brigade, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic;
    1920: 1920 Olympic Games, Antwerpen, België;
    ?: Naval Academy, Annapolis;
    March 1922: Marine Barracks, Quantico;
    ?: 1924 Olympic Games, Paris, France;
    August 1924: Company Officers' Course, Marine Corps Schools;
    ?: Mare Island, California;
    September 1926 - februari 1927: Marine Barracks, Quantico;
    ?: Third Marine Brigade, Tientsin. China;
    August 1929: Marine Barracks, Quantico;
    November 1929: Marine Corps Base, San Diego, California;
    May 1932: Aide-de-Camp Commanding General, Headquarters, Department of the Pacific, San Francisco;
    June 1933 - juni 1935: U.S.S. California;
    ?: Senior Course, Marine Corps Schools;
    June 1936: Staff of the Basic School, Marine Barracks, Navy Yard, Philadelphia;
    1938: First Marine Brigade, Quantico;
    May 1940: Inspector-Instructor, 14th Battalion, Marine Corps Reserve, Spokane, Washington;
    1940: 8th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, Marine Corps Base, San Diego;
    January 1942: Commanding Officer 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines;
    August 1942: Commanding Officer 3rd Marine Raider Battalion;
    March 1943: Commanding Officer 1st Marine Raider Regiment;
    January 1944: Commanding Officer 28th Marines, 5th Marine Division;
    ?: Occupation Forces, Japan;
    March 1946: Marine Corps Base, San Diego;
    July 1946: Director 12th Marine Reserve District and District Marine Officer, 12th Naval District, San Francisco;
    February 1948: Assistant Commander, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, California;
    May 1949 - April 1950: Commanding Officer Fleet Marine Force, Guam;
    April 1950: Deputy Commander, Marine Barracks, Camp Pendleton;
    June 1950: Director Marine Corps Reserve.

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    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Colonel
    Unit:
    1st Marine Raider Regiment, Marine Raiders, U.S. Marine Corps
    Awarded on:
    March 21st, 1944
    Citation:
    "For extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer of the First Marine Raider Regiment and the Third Battalions of the 145th and 148th Infantries, U.S. Army, during operations on New Georgia Island, British Solomon Islands, from July 5 to August 29, 1943. Gallantly leading his troops through dense jungle into combat against a fanatic enemy long experienced in jungle warfare and well-entrenched in strong positions, Colonel Liversedge commanded the assault with cool and courageous determination. Although handicapped by extremely adverse weather conditions, constant enemy fire and the difficult problems of supply, he skillfully coordinated his forces and those of cooperating units and, relentlessly forced the Japanese to withdraw. Colonel Liversedge's aggressive fighting spirit and brilliant leadership contributed immeasurably to the success of the New Georgia Campaign and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

    SPOT AWARD: Serial 01914
    Navy Cross
    Citation:
    "For extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer of the Twenty-Eighth Marines, Fifth Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, from 19 February to 27 March 1945. Landing on the fire-swept beaches twenty-two minutes after H-Hour, Colonel Liversedge gallantly led his men in the advance inland before executing a difficult turning maneuver to the south preparatory to launching the assault on Mount Suribachi. Under his inspiring leadership, his Regiment effected a partial seizure of a formidable Japanese position consisting of caves, pillboxes and blockhouses, until it was halted by intense enemy resistance which caused severe casualties. Braving the heavy hostile fire, he traversed the front lines to reorganize his troops and, by his determination and aggressiveness, enabled his men to overrun the Japanese position by nightfall. By his fighting spirit and intrepid leadership, Colonel Liversedge contributed materially to the capture of Mount Suribachi, and his unwavering devotion to duty throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

    Second Navy Cross received as a gold star to be worn on the ribbon of the first Navy Cross.
    SPOT AWARD, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific: Serial 44533 (SofN Signed January 26, 1948).
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)

    Received with a battle star.
    American Defence Service Medal
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)

    Recieved with three battle stars.
    Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal

    Sources

    • Photo 1: Bill Gonyo
    • - Sterner C.D., Recipients of The Navy Cross, 1916 - Present
      - Home of Heroes