Richard H. Jeschke

Richard Hall Jeschke (December 22, 1894 – December 15, 1957) was a decorated officer of the United States Marine Corps with the rank of brigadier general, who commanded 8th Marine Regiment during the Battle of Guadalcanal. He later served in the European Theater and participated in the planning of the Invasion of Normandy and the Invasion of Sicily.

Early life

Richard H. Jeschke was born on 22 December 1894 in La Grange, Illinois. He attended the University of Chicago and graduated in 1917 with Bachelor of Science degree. While a student, Jeschke served with the Michigan Naval Militia, but following his graduation from the university, he resigned his commission in order to accept an appointment in the Marine Corps Reserve. He was commissioned second lieutenant in the Marine Corps Reserve on 21 May 1917 and immediately recalled to active duty. Jeschke was assigned first to the Marine Corps Rifle Range in Winthrop, Maryland and after two months of training there, he was assigned to the Marine Barracks Quantico, Virginia.

In October 1917, Jeschke was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant and assigned to the Marine detachment aboard the battleship USS New York. He sailed to the Atlantic Ocean with that ship as a part of the United States Grand Fleet and participated in blockade and convoy duties. Jeschke returned to the Marine Barracks Quantico in 1918 and following his promotion to the rank of captain, he was assigned for duty with Overseas Depot. Jeschke was subsequently appointed Force Marine operations and training officer on the staff of the Western Naval Task Force located in the Mediterranean under the command of Rear Admiral Henry Kent Hewitt. In this capacity, he participated in the planning of the Invasion of Sicily in July 1943 and received his second Navy Commendation Medal for his efforts.

Later career

Colonel Jeschke served at Headquarters Marine Corps until October 1945, when he was transferred to Hawaii and assumed command of the Marine Barracks, Naval Base Pearl Harbor. He returned to the United States in December 1947 and was appointed director of the 1st Marine Corps Reserve District in Boston, Massachusetts. His last assignment came in June 1948, when he was appointed Division Inspector of 2nd Marine Division at Camp Lejeune under Major General Franklin A. Hart.