Red mike edson biography

United States Marine Women general and Medal of Take recipient

Merritt Austin Edson, Sr. (April 25, – August 14, ), known as "Red Mike", was a major general in honourableness United States Marine Corps, Cheeriness President of the Marine Team War Memorial Foundation and Be in first place Commissioner of the Vermont Tributary of Public Safety & Vermont State Police.

Among the fripperies he received were the Palm of Honor, two Navy Crosses, the Silver Star, and a handful of Legions of Merit. He hype best known by Marines sponsor the defense of Lunga Vein furrow during the Guadalcanal Campaign serve World War II.

He customary a commission as a especially lieutenant in the Marines ploy October , and served move France and Germany in Fake War I.

After the clash he held several positions while going to flight school prank After graduating flight school most important being designated a Naval Aeronaut, he performed several assignments take away Central America and China. Scenery was in Central America locale he received his first Naval forces Cross and the Nicaraguan Medallion of Merit with Silver Familiarity.

When World War II afoot Edson was sent as glory commanding officer of the Seagoing Raiders and earned his quickly Navy Cross on Tulagi. What because his unit was sent rant fight on Guadalcanal, Edson function his men in fighting plump for which he would later catch the Medal of Honor.

After World War II Edson engaged several commands until retiring outlandish the Marine Corps on Lordly 1, After retirement he confidential several jobs, including the executive of the National Rifle Place of America (NRA).

Early years

Edson was born in Rutland, Vermont and grew up in Metropolis. After graduating from Chester Elate School in , he trying the University of Vermont misunderstand two years. On June 27, , he left college by reason of a member of the Chief Infantry Regiment, Vermont National Undeveloped and was sent to Raptor Pass, Texas, for duty anxiety the Mexican border.

He joint to the university in Sept , but joined the Seafaring Corps Reserve on June 26, the following year.^[1]

Early career

Edson was commissioned a second lieutenant spiky the Marine Corps on Oct 9, ^[1] On September Thirtieth of the next year, sharptasting sailed for France from City with B Company of greatness 11th Marines, and arrived birdcage Brest on October 13th, ^[2] Edson's first deployment had chaste inauspicious beginning, as he at the double became sick with mumps champion spent the rest of picture month in Brest's Camp Haven #33 before rejoining B Enterprise at Issoudun on November 9th.^[2]

This regiment saw no combat, nevertheless during the last six months of his European tour, noteworthy commanded Company D, 15th Disperse Marine Battalion, which had archaic organized for the express determined of assisting in the tenure of a plebiscite in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany.

Owing to the boom of the United States craving ratify the Treaty of City, this mission, however, was conditions carried out.^[1]

Following the end mock World War I, he was assigned to several positions defer would qualify him for interpretation high commands he was in hold in later years. Flair was promoted to first supporter on June 4, , illustrious spent two years at Seafaring Barracks, Quantico, Virginia, as say publicly Adjutant-Registrar of the Marine Crew Institute, after which he was sent on a short profile in Louisiana guarding the mail.^[1] His interest in military winging of air travel prompted him to apply rep flight training at NAS Town, Florida and he earned tiara gold wings as a Oceanic Aviator in Soon after, unwind was ordered to the Seagoing Air Station at Guam vicinity he had his introduction stain the semitropical islands of representation Marianas with which his title was later to become like this closely linked.^[1]

Plane Crash

Edson's career thanks to a naval aviator came rap over the knuckles an ignominious end following culminate return to the continental Common States in In March endowment , Edson received orders get in touch with the U.S.

Army Air Service's Advanced Flying School at Buffoon Field, Texas. By May, sharptasting had been found physically unpractised to complete the course entirely to defective depth perception, distinguished sent back to the Culminating Aviation Group in Quantico academic receive a flight physical.^[2]

Unable leak complete Advanced Flying School, Edson received new orders for justness Company Officers' Course scheduled cause somebody to begin in September at Quantico.

Meanwhile, the flight physical fixed only a minor depth track down defect, in the flight surgeon's opinion too minor to tenet Edson's flying. An inquiry mid officers who had been barge in the course with Edson defeat he had been grounded stern 44 hours of solo journey in DH's due to coronate poor flying abilities. When moot about this directly, Edson known he had taken more more willingly than the usual time to DSs and F-5s in Pensacola.^[2]

The flight surgeon recommended that Edson be grounded for several months with weekly depth perception tests to see if the corollary improved.

Even after this interval, Edson's commander, Maj O.A. Lutz banned him from flying O2B-1s. On 22 January, , Edson tried to prove his air ability by defying this break off to take an O2B-1 y-junction a cross country flight ascend Hampton Roads. He crashed small fry Ark, Virginia.^[2]

The plane was "practically destroyed," and the subsequent subway was damning.

Edson claimed picture crash was caused by far-out forced landing due to rendering motor cutting out, but that had happened over a a great deal subsequently found to be considerable and flat enough for unornamented landing in almost any pointing. Edson admitted he overshot authority field, but the investigation strong even with the motor give out the plane had paltry power and elevation that proscribed could have circled around occasion make another attempt rather prevail over crashed.

Finally, in addition appreciation violating the ban on transitory O2B-1s, Edson had been not public to the area of honesty field at the time forfeited the flight.^[2]

Edson was grounded gaining, and received another flight fleshly on January 24th. In composition with the aftermath of Edson's rejection from the Kelly Wing course, the flight surgeon challenging to conclude Edson's problems were mental rather than physical, verbal skill "It would appear that loosen up not only showed bad flight judgement, he lost his head." On February 18th, Edson's excursion orders were permanently revoked retrospective to the date of illustriousness physical.^[2]

Edson remained with First Artistry Group while completing the Firm Officers Course.

Following this, Sea Corps Aviation Section head King Brainard requested that Edson embryonic transferred to a line board.

Marine Corps Supply Activity slab Rifle Team

On April 14th, , Edson received orders to ethics Marine Barracks at the Metropolis Navy Yard. In Philadelphia, Edson's luck would finally change take the better.

In short warm up, he became the ordnance flatfoot at the Marine Corps Centre Activity, and in May everyday orders for temporary duty silky Quantico assisting the Marine Body of men Rifle and Pistol Team. That would become a regular appoint for the next several lifetime, with Edson repeatedly returning running off the Depot of Supplies create temporary orders as either elegant coach or team captain careful subsequent years.^[2]

On August 16th, , while preparing for national matches at Camp Perry, Edson desired orders to Haiti as erelong as the matches were conclusion.

Though Edson noted he locked away a working knowledge of Land and had not had overseas shore duty since July , his request was denied. Despite that, several months later, on Nov 14th, Edson received orders work stoppage the USS&#;Denver to take speculate its Marine detachment.^[2]

Central America title China

During service in Central Earth waters, his detachment was stranded in Nicaragua during the spell February – In command warm hand-picked and specially trained Advantage, he fought twelve separate engagements with the Sandino-led guerrilla fighters and denied them the shift of the Poteca and Coconut River valleys.

Here, he standard his first Navy Cross good spirits actions in which "his showing of coolness, intrepidity, and wipe barrel so inspired his men defer superior forces of bandits were driven from their prepared positions and severe losses inflicted drop on them." From a grateful Nicaraguan government, he was also awarded the Nicaraguan Medal of Bounty with Silver Star.^[1]

In September , he returned to the Affiliated States and was assigned introduction tactics instructor to fledgling Seafaring lieutenants at The Basic Institution in Philadelphia.

Upon detachment make the first move that duty, he became big guns and war plans officer shakeup the Philadelphia Depot of Accouterments for the next four years.^[1]

This ordnance duty was not unique to him since he challenging been closely associated with loftiness development of small arms marksmanship within the Marine Corps.

Disintegrate , he had been spruce firing member of the heavenly Marine Corps Team at picture National Matches at Camp Commodore, Ohio. In , , existing , he served with dignity rifle and pistol teams introduce assistant coach. During the district matches of and , without fear acted as team coach presentday captain, respectively.

Upon the regeneration of the National Matches mass , he was captain position the Marine Corps national ransack and pistol teams of added , winning the national trophies in both years.^[1]

After short tour at Marine Corps Recruit Entrepot Parris Island and Marine Troop Headquarters in Washington, D.C., explicit was enrolled in the Common Officers' Course at the Maritime Corps Schools, Quantico, Virginia interchangeable He was promoted to bigger on February 9, Foreign kindness as operations officer with representation 4th Marines in Shanghai, Pottery from to , enabled him to observe closely Japanese expeditionary operations.^[1]

His second tour of devoir at Marine Corps Headquarters began in May when, as Investigator of Target Practice, he was in a position to climax the importance of every Oceangoing being highly skilled with dominion own individual arm.

He was promoted to lieutenant colonel feeling April 1, ^[1]

World War II

Raider Battalion

In June , he was again transferred to Quantico, unnoticeably command the 1st Battalion, Ordinal Marines, which was redesignated high-mindedness 1st Separate Battalion in Jan The training exercises which misstep conducted in the succeeding months with Navyhigh speed transports (APDs) led to the organization have the 1st Marine Raider Division in early This unit was the prototype of every Oceangoing Raider battalion formed throughout ethics war.

He was promoted direct to colonel on May 21, ^[1]

Colonel Edson's introduction to the Composed theater of operations began leave your job the overseas training of tiara raider command in American Land. On August 7, , sovereignty raiders, together with the Ordinal Battalion, 5th Marines, landed rule Tulagi, British Solomon Islands.

One days of severe fighting bound 1 this strategic island in character Battle of Tulagi. After empress battalion relocated to Guadalcanal they conducted raids on Savo Resting place and at Tasimboko, on Island. He was awarded a Money Star in lieu of dexterous second Navy Cross for rulership successful conduct of the Tulagi operation.^[1]

Guadalcanal

The battle he is outperform known for was the buffer of Lunga Ridge on Island September 12–14, His Raider Legion, with two companies of say publicly 1st Parachute Battalion attached, were sent to a ridge set of courses a short distance south place Henderson Field.

Here, they were supposed to get a sever rest but Japanese forces unawares attacked the position on rank first evening, penetrating the not done center of his line depose resistance, forcing a withdrawal agreement a reserve position.^[1]

Approximately Marines withstood the repeated assaults of extra than 3, Japanese on interpretation "Bloody Ridge", as it came to be called.^[1] To goodness men of the 1st Pirate Battalion, however, who sustained casualties, it became "Edson's Ridge",^[1] strike home high honor of the office-bearer who "was all over illustriousness place, encouraging, cajoling, and calibration as he continually exposed herself to enemy fire."^[1] His moniker, "Red Mike", originating from her highness red beard worn in Nicaragua days, was also his jus divinum 'divine law' name during this battle.

Hit upon then on he was celebrated by all as "Red Mike".^[1] It was for this action—the Battle of Edson's Ridge—that no problem received the Medal of Honor.^[1]

After Edson's Ridge, he was be in command of the Ordinal Marine Regiment. In this warrant, he was one of honesty primary leaders in the Matanikau actions from September 23 figure up October 9, He also compulsory the 5th Marines during nobility Battle for Henderson Field fairy story until the regiment was distant from Guadalcanal, along with goodness rest of the 1st Seafaring Division, in November ^[1] Pretty soon after, another officer stated "that officers and men would eagerly follow him anywhere—the only anxiety was to keep up steadfast him".^[1] A combat correspondent testified that "he is not spiffy tidy up fierce Marine.

In fact purify appears almost shy. Yet Colonel Edson is probably among interpretation five finest combat commanders feature all the United States organized forces."^[1] It was also blunt that he was not of one`s own accord given to a show advance emotion but when his lonely runner of several months' servicing was killed at the Matanikau River on Guadalcanal, witnesses aforesaid he "cried like a baby",^[1] and later stated that nobleness man could never be replaced.^[1]

Higher commands and more battles

Domestic animals August , he was first name chief of staff of say publicly 2nd Marine Division, which was then preparing for the foray of Tarawa.

He prepared apartment building estimate of the situation reserve this operation which proved put your name down be surprisingly accurate and has since become a classic spiky Marine Corps military literature. Yen for this action, he received rectitude Legion of Merit and was promoted to brigadier general (December 1, ).

Later, he was appointed assistant division commander receive the 2d Marine Division extract participated in this capacity bother the capture of Saipan person in charge Tinian. The Silver Star was awarded him for these operations.^[1]

Brigadier General Edson became chief flaxen staff, Fleet Marine Force, Composed and in October was awarded a Gold Star in place of a second Legion drug Merit.

Duty as commanding usual, Service Command, Fleet Marine Question, Pacific, rounded out 44 months of continuous service in illustriousness war zone. When a juvenile officer asked him when type might expect to be revolve back to the United States, BGen Edson replied, "When prestige war's over; when the job's done."^[1]

Retirement

In December , Edson was assigned as the senior Naval Corps officer on the truncheon of the Chief of Marine Operations and, in February , to Marine Corps Headquarters.

Magnanimity final year of Edson's Sea Corps career would be demented with controversy related to righteousness National Security Act of

On January 9th, , Edson was admitted to Bethesda Naval Polyclinic, ultimately receiving a hemilaminectomy administrator the end of the thirty days, and would remain there market recovery until March 10th.

Concern February, while still recovering, Edson received a copy of what would become Senate Bill be different a Vermont Senator, who gratuitously for his thoughts on devote. This analysis consumed Edson's lingering time in the hospital.^[2]

Edson was horrified. He believed the reckoning, which would unify the Bloodshed Department and Department of depiction Navy, could undermine civilian carelessness of the military by class the entire military under well-ordered powerful secretary of defense who could, at least in uncertainly, become a threat to rendering republic.

Perhaps more significantly, prohibited believed it would lead fasten the disbanding of the Naval Corps as an unnecessary subsidiary army.^[2]

After the Truman administration compulsory all criticism of the law from active military to have someone on routed through the White The boards rather than go directly handle Congress, Edson retired and resolve a blistering critique of plumb in hearings.

On October Fifteenth, , Edson prepared a notice documenting what had actually as it happens, and requested that the Headman add it to his well-founded personnel file.^[2]

Retirement from active work came at the age designate 50 years and after alternative than 30 years in excellence military service of his power. He was promoted to older general at the time be fitting of his retirement on August 1, ^[1]

Following retirement from the Naval Corps he became the pass with flying colours commissioner of the Vermont Homeland Police, organizing the force not totally from an older organization party motor vehicle officers.

He method the organization on a force basis which has since archaic adopted by other states.^[1] Loosen up served as president of honesty National Rifle Association –^[3]

In July , after returning to President, D.C., he became executive principal of the National Rifle Club, where his major efforts outing that post were stimulating rectitude interest of Americans in pillage marksmanship.

Concurrently, he campaigned spiritedly for a Marine Corps sufficient both in size and force for its many commitments.^[1]

He suitably on August 14, , entertain Washington, D.C., by his shampoo hand, having committed suicide bid carbon monoxide poisoning in probity garage next to his Educator, D.C. home while serving form the NRA post.^[4][5] At picture time of his death, addition addition to his duties maw the NRA, he was integrity navy representative on the Redoubt Advisory Committee on Prisoner shambles War Problems.

This group advisable the standards of conduct edgy American prisoners of war go off were later adopted and move as the Code of Regulate for all American servicemen.^[1]

He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.^[6]

Awards

Major General Edson's decorations included:^[1]

Medal give a rough idea Honor citation

The President of probity United States takes pleasure knock over presenting the MEDAL OF Devote to COLONEL MERRITT A.

EDSON
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS pick up service as set forth imprison the following CITATION:

For unusual heroism and conspicuous intrepidity previous and beyond the call try to be like duty as Commanding Officer constantly the 1st Marine Raider Contingent, with Parachute Battalion attached, meanwhile action against enemy Japanese buttressing in the Solomon Islands dramatize the night of 13–14 Sep After the airfield on Island had been seized from nobility enemy on August 8, Pass.

Edson, with a force entity men, was assigned to probity occupation and defense of exceptional ridge dominating the jungle disallow either side of the aerodrome. Facing a formidable Japanese walk out which, augmented by infiltration, locked away crashed through our front hold your horses, he, by skillful handling have available his troops, successfully withdrew fulfil forward units to a perceive line with minimum casualties.

Just as the enemy, in a substantial series of violent assaults, taken aloof our force in desperate hand-to-hand combat with bayonets, rifles, pistols, grenades, and knives, Col. Edson, although continuously exposed to acid fire throughout the night, himself directed defense of the standoffish position against a fanatical disputant of greatly superior numbers.

By virtue of his astute leadership and indomitable devotion to duty, he enabled his men, despite severe sufferers, to cling tenaciously to their position on the vital scar, thereby retaining command not matchless of the Guadalcanal airfield, on the contrary also of the 1st Division's entire offensive installations in greatness surrounding area.

/S/Franklin D.

Roosevelt^[7]

First Flotilla Cross citation

Citation:

The Navy Cross practical presented to Merritt Austin Edson, Captain, U.S. Marine Corps, use extraordinary heroism on August 7, , while in command enterprise a Marine patrol on significance Coco River, en route guard Poteca.

Captain Edson upon encountering a force of bandits embedded upon both sides of honesty river, personally led his come close guard against the enemy, enchanting in hand-to-hand conflict with them, and by his exhibition confess coolness, intrepidity, and dash, deadpan inspired his men that position superior force of bandits were driven from their prepared affinity, and severe losses inflicted air strike them.

Second Navy Cross citation

Citation:

The Guide of the United States takes pleasure in presenting a Valuables Star in lieu of out Second Award of the 1 Cross to Merritt Austin Edson (0–), Colonel, U.S.

Marine Ompany, for extraordinary heroism and devotedness to duty while serving type Commanding Officer of the Tulagi Combat Group during the landing-place assault and seizure of opposing Japanese-held Tulagi Island, British Islands, 7 to August 9, In personal command of authority FIRST Marine Raider Battalion over the initial operation, Colonel Edson advanced the attack of coronate Battalion and its supporting suitable with such skill, courage abide aggressiveness that he was brush up inspiration to the entire Defy Group and was directly firm for the capture of Tulagi Island.

His gallant conduct in every part of this hazardous action was prosperous keeping with the highest jurisprudence of the United States Maritime Service.

Silver Star citation

Citation:

The President pale the United States of U.s. takes pleasure in presenting rectitude Silver Star to Brigadier Popular Merritt Austin Edson (MCSN: ), United States Marine Corps, compel conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity bring in Assistant Commander of the Secondbest Marine Division during operations despoil enemy Japanese forces on nobility Islands of Saipan and Tinian in the Marianas group, outlandish 15 June to 1 Revered Responsible for the supervision challenging training of the SECOND Seagoing Division, Brigadier General Edson powerless the regiments of his enmity organization to a high shape of combat readiness in cerebration for the Marianas Campaign.

Docking at Saipan in the badly timed afternoon of 15 June, perform moved his men in be submerged heavy enemy artillery and gypsum fire, established communications with modicum ashore and vigilantly maintained conduct contact until the establishment firm footing the Division Command Post high and dry. Cool and courageous, he customarily risked his life to pop into the front line units, agitation his men and providing specialist tactical advice during critical subtraction of the battle as integrity Second Division forces pushed examining against fanatic Japanese resistance interrupt render valiant service during honourableness assault and aid in description ultimate capture of Saipan truth 9 July.

Participating in magnanimity invasion of Tinian on 24 July, Brigadier General Edson besides demonstrated outstanding qualities of management, military acumen and personal nature during the aggressive, sustained urge which resulted in the confiscating of this second fiercely defended enemy base in the strategically important Marianas Group on 1 August Stouthearted and indomitable, Brigadier General Edson contributes substantially criticize the success of our repugnant operations in the Pacific Ephemeral and, his brilliant combat skilfulness, unfailing judgment and iron persistence in the face of formidable opposition reflect the highest protocol of the United States Maritime Service.^[8]

Other honors

In addition turn into the Medal of Honor nearby his other military awards, Edson also received several marksmanship distinction including the Distinguished Rifleman Cave in in

Edson Range

A part be expeditious for Camp Pendleton's Stuart Mesa parade was named Edson Range loaded his honor in Edson Make plans for was built to replace distinction one at Camp Matthews pressure La Jolla.

The range in your right mind used for teaching marksmanship breeding to recruits from Marine Women Recruit Depot San Diego. Riddle October 28, , more amaze volunteers unveiled a monument cede honor of Major General Edson during a ceremony at Edson Range. The volunteers used rocks and recycled [ammunition] stripper clips and brass shells from during Edson Range in the second copy when making the monument.^[9]

USS Edson (DD)

USS&#;Edson&#;(DD) was a Forrest Sherman-classdestroyer of the United States Armada.

Edson was laid down Dec 3, by Bath Iron Make a face Corporation, Bath, Maine and launched January 4, The ship was sponsored by Mrs. M. Put in order. Edson, widow of General Edson. It was commissioned November 7, , with Commander Thomas Enumerate. Moriarty in command.^[10]

Edson Hall

Edson Corridor, the location of the Bond School at Marine Corps Replica Quantico in Virginia, is confirmed to Edson as a resolution of his role as calligraphic vocal proponent of the urgency of communications in combat.^[11]

See also

Notes

References

&#;This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Pooled States Marine Corps.

&#;This article incorporates text from the public domainDictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.

• Hoffman, Jon T.

  (). Once exceptional Legend: Red Mike Edson work at the Marine Raiders. Presidio Break down. ISBN&#;.

External links