Henry R. Paige

Henry Reid Paige (March 30, 1904 – April 22, 1989) was a decorated officer of the United States Marine Corps with the rank of major general. He is most noted for his service as commanding officer of 7th Defense Battalion during Palau Islands Campaign and later as commanding general of 1st Marine Division or as director of Marine Corps Educational Center at Marine Corps Base Quantico. He also served as temporary base commander in summer 1956.

Early years

Henry R. Paige was born on March 30, 1904, in Ogdensburg, New York, as oldest child of Alfred Smith Paige and his wife Ella May Reed Paige. Paige's family operated local brickyard, which was established by Henry's great-grandfather sometimes in the first half of 19th century. Young Hank also worked there and earned his first money. He was later sent to the Ogdensburg Free Academy and following the graduation in 1922, he enrolled the St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York.

Following his graduation, Paige was ordered to the Basic School at Philadelphia Navy Yard for further officer training. He completed the course in February 1928 and returned to Annapolis for tryouts in connection with 1928 Summer Olympics. During the try-out, he made it to the final in the hammer throw, but did not qualify.

Upon his return to the States in August 1930, Paige was attached to the Marine Barracks Parris Island, South Carolina until January 1932. Paige then returned to the Naval Academy as an instructor in the physical training department. He remained there only one semester and subsequently attended an antiaircraft direction school at the Ford Instrument Company at Long Island, New York.

Paige was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant in September 1933 and left "Indy" in November of that year. He then served briefly at Norfolk Navy Yard, before assumed command of the Marine detachment aboard the battleship USS Idaho in January 1934. The Idaho was undergoing a major reconstruction at Norfolk, and ship remained there until October of that year. Meanwhile, Paige was promoted to the rank of captain in July 1934 and left Idaho one month later. Paige also served as temporary Commander of Marine Corps Base Quantico from July to September 1956. As temporary commander of the Quantico Base, he also served dual capacity as commandant of the Marine Corps Schools, Quantico.

In July 1957, Paige was appointed assistant chief of staff for logistics at Headquarters Marine Corps and remained there until fall 1959. His final assignment came in November of that year, when he was ordered to Camp Pendleton, California, and appointed commanding general of famed 1st Marine Division. During his tenure, over 17,000 Marines were under his command. Paige also received honorary doctorate from St. Lawrence University.