Arthur T. Mason

Arthur Theodore Mason (October 3, 1902 – August 24, 1980) was a decorated officer of the United States Marine Corps with the rank of brigadier general. He is most noted as commanding officer of the 1st Marine Regiment during the Battle of Okinawa and later also during the Chinese Civil War following the World War II.

Early career and World War II

Mason was born on October 3, 1902, in Washington, D.C., but his family later moved to California. He attended the University of California and graduated with Bachelor of Science degree in June 1923. Mason subsequently entered the Marine Corps service and was commissioned second lieutenant at the same time. He was ordered to the Basic School for his officer training and following the graduation in the summer of 1924, he was attached to the 4th Marine Regiment and sailed for his first expeditionary duty in China.

Mason served on the headquarters of South East Asia Command at British Ceylon until April 1945, when he was transferred to Okinawa. He was transferred to the staff of 1st Marine Regiment at the beginning of May, 1945. The 1st Marines, which spent last month with patrolling as reserve force of 1st Marine Division, just commenced the assault on main Japanese defensive positions and suffered heavy losses.

Later career Captain Richard Boyd, Lt.col. James C. Magee Jr. (2nd Battalion, 1st Marines), Major General Pedro del Valle (Commander 1st Marine Division) and Arthur T. Mason (1st Marine Regiment) during the Okinawa campaign in May 1945. Colonel Mason remained in command of 1st Marines after the Okinawa campaign and spent almost three months stationed at division camp at Motobu Peninsula. Mason and his regiment were subsequently ordered to Tianjin, China on September 30, 1945. Its mission was to assist in the repatriation of Japanese troops from North China. The 1st Marines also took part in the guard duty of property and rounded up Japanese repatriates. Mason and his units came often under fire of Chinese Communist guerrillas.