Edward H. Hurst

Edward Hunter Hurst (December 18, 1916 – September 6, 1997) was a highly decorated officer of the United States Marine Corps with the rank of brigadier general. He is the recipient of the Navy Cross, the United States military's second-highest decoration awarded for valor in combat. He completed his career as director of Marine Corps Landing Force Development Center Quantico in 1968.

Hurst was also a member of so-called "Chowder Society", special Marine Corps board, which was tasked to conduct research and prepare material relative to postwar legislation concerning the role of the Marine Corps in national defense.

Early career

Hurst was born on December 18, 1916, in Fort Valley, Georgia, and attended high school there. He then enrolled in Mercer University in Macon, Georgia, and studied journalism. While studying, he joined the Marine Corps Reserve via a platoon leaders' class in April 1936 and attended several summer training camps. On graduating in June 1938 with a Bachelor of Arts degree, he was designated an honor graduate of the platoon leaders' class and commissioned second lieutenant in the Marine Corps on June 27, 1938.

The First Marine Division (including 7th Marines) was tasked with the capturing of Peleliu, Palau Islands and securing a large Japanese aerodrome, which could be used for further offensive in Pacific. On September 15, Hurst was forced to land his assault battalion of amphibious tanks in single file because of the heavily barricaded beach. Major Hurst braved intense hostile fire and, skillfully organizing his forces, pushed inland through dense undergrowth. Personally reconnoitering the front lines while in full view of enemy machine gun and small arms fire, he directed the battalion in a furious attack on Japanese fortified caves and blockhouses. He was subsequently decorated with the Silver Star for bravery and Navy Presidential Unit Citation.

His official Navy Cross citation reads:

Quote|text=The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Colonel Edward H. Hurst (MCSN: 0–5854), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, 18 May 1945. While directing his battalion's assault against the heavily-defended Wana Ridge, Lieutenant Colonel Hurst occupied a forward observation post which was swept by intense hostile small-arms fire and mortar concentrations. Observing that platoons of the assault company were being subjected to devastating enemy fire, he courageously moved forward from his post to the company and, in the face of heavy Japanese mortar and small-arms fire, personally directed the assault on the desperately defended crest of the ridge. While returning to his observation post after his troops had gained a foothold on the ridge, Lieutenant Colonel Hurst personally assisted in the evacuation of a wounded man over a path swept by hostile small-arms fire. His bravery, able leadership, and gallant fighting spirit throughout were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

During his assignment with that board, Hurst had the opportunity to cooperate with figures of modern Marine history such as: Merrill B. Twining, Victor H. Krulak, Merritt A. Edson, Robert E. Hogaboom, James E. Kerr, James C. Murray, Jonas M. Platt, DeWolf Schatzel, Samuel R. Shaw, Robert D. Heinl, James D. Hittle or Marine Corps Reserve officers John R. Blandford, Arthur B. Hanson, Lyford Hutchins, and William McCahill.

He left Washington in June 1947 in order to attend Instructors' Orientation Course at the Marine Corps Schools, Quantico. Following the completion of the course, Hurst served as leadership section chief and officer in charge of the student battalion at the Basic School. His duty at Quantico ended in December 1949, when he was attached to the Swedish Language School at Washington Navy Yard and following the graduation in July 1950, he was ordered to Stockholm, Sweden, for duty as assistant naval attache for air at the American embassy.

Decorations

Here is the ribbon bar of Brigadier General Edward H. Hurst: