Oscar R. Cauldwell

Oscar Ray Cauldwell (August 24, 1892 – September 8, 1959) was an officer of the United States Marine Corps with the rank of major general, who served as assistant division commander of 3rd Marine Division and later as commanding general of the Training Command, Fleet Marine Force, San Diego, during World War II.

Early career Oscar Ray Cauldwell was born on 24 August 1892 in Nyesville, Indiana. He attended the Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Indiana, and after graduation, he attended the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. Cauldwell graduated on 2 June 1916 and was commissioned second lieutenant in the Marine Corps on the same date. He was subsequently ordered to the Marine Corps Officers School at Norfolk, Virginia, where he graduated from the course in December 1916.

Officers of the 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, at battalion headquarters near the front at Sommedieue, France, April 30, 1918. Captain Oscar R. Cauldwell, commanding the 95th Company, is stood to the left.

Cauldwell was subsequently appointed aide-de-camp to the Commander of Advanced Base Force at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and served in this capacity until August 1917, four months after the American entry into World War I, when he was transferred to the newly formed 6th Marine Regiment at Quantico Base, Virginia. The 6th Marines sailed overseas in September 1917 and Cauldwell was now appointed commanding officer of the 95th Company, part of the regiment's 1st Battalion. After its arrival in France, Cauldwell commanded the company in the trenches within the Toulon Sector near Verdun. He was promoted to the rank of captain on 6 October 1917.

He left Naval War College in March 1942, when he was transferred for brief period to the Administrative Command, Amphibious Force Atlantic Fleet. But in June 1942, Cauldwell was transferred to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, where he took command of 3rd Marine Regiment. The 3rd Regiment was deployed to American Samoa in September 1942 and subsequently was reassigned to the 3rd Marine Division in May 1943.

Cauldwell was promoted to the rank of brigadier general on 26 October 1942 and was appointed assistant division commander of 3rd Marine Division in September 1943. He served in this capacity during Bougainville Campaign and personally distinguished himself, while commanding his units during the Battle of Koromokina Lagoon. Cauldwell was subsequently decorated with the Silver Star for his leadership and gallantry in action.

Later service Cauldwell was appointed chief of staff of the I Marine Amphibious Corps on December 18, 1943, under the command of Major General Roy Geiger. He succeeded Brigadier General Alfred H. Noble in that capacity and served in this capacity during the initial stages of Bougainville campaign.

In January 1944, Cauldwell was reassigned back to the United States and was subsequently assigned to the Headquarters Marine Corps in Washington, D.C., where he stayed until April. He was then appointed commanding general of the Training Command, Fleet Marine Force at San Diego. His main responsibility was to supervise the Training of Replacements units for Marine units serving overseas. Cauldwell also supervised the Training of the 5th Marine Division, which preparing for Pacific Theater. He was decorated with the Bronze Star for his service, while coordinated the training of Marine units at Palmyra Atoll.

Cauldwell served in this capacity until September 1945, when he was hospitalized at Naval Hospital, San Diego, with a sinus condition. He was placed on the retired list on May 1, 1946, and was also advanced to the rank of major general for having been specially commended in combat.

Decorations