Walter W. Wensinger

Walter William Wensinger (September 4, 1894 – July 10, 1972) was a highly decorated officer of the United States Marine Corps with the rank of Lieutenant General. He is most noted for his service as Commanding Officer of 23rd Marine Regiment during Battle of Iwo Jima, when he received the Navy Cross, the United States military's second-highest decoration awarded for valor in combat. Wensinger finished his career as special advisory Assistant to the Commandant to the Marine Corps.

Early career

William W. Wensinger was born on September 4, 1894, in Defiance, Ohio, and attended high school in Fremont, Ohio. He subsequently enrolled the University of Michigan Law School in Ann Arbor and graduated with Bachelor of Laws in June 1917. Wensinger then enlisted in the Marine Corps as private and served with 8th and 13th Marine Regiments at Marine Barracks Quantico, Virginia. He reached the non-commissioned officer's rank and received Good Conduct Medal for exemplary behavior and efficiency. Wensinger was also selected for the Meritorious Non-Commissioned Officers Program and promoted to the rank of second lieutenant on December 16, 1918.

He served in the same capacity during the Mariana Islands Campaign in the summer of 1944, when Fourth Marine Division, now under the command of his old superior from Quantico – Major General Clifton B. Cates, attacked and captured the islands of Saipan and Tinian and received second Legion of Merit for his service during that campaign.

When commanding officer of 23rd Marine Regiment, Colonel Louis R. Jones, was promoted and transferred in October 1944, General Cates chose Wensinger as his substitute. He led 23rd Marines during the battle of Iwo Jima in February 1945 and received the Navy Cross, the United States military's second-highest decoration awarded for valor in combat. His official citation reads:

quote|text=The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Colonel Walter W. Wensinger (MCSN: 0-1045), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer of the Twenty-Third Marines, FOURTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, from 19 February to 16 March 1945. Occupying an exposed position under heavy fire from land artillery and coastal defense guns, Colonel Wensinger personally directed the landing attack of his Regimental Combat Team over a beach strongly defended by a fiercely resisting enemy. Observing that his leading elements were suffering heavy casualties and that the tanks and other mechanized equipment were unable to assist in the advance, he ordered the movement of his Command Post to the immediate vicinity of the front lines. Landing amidst intense fire from mortars, artillery and automatic weapons to discover that the beach and evacuation facilities were completely disrupted and inoperative, Colonel Wensinger quickly provided improvised means for the removal of the wounded and for the essential supply of his units ashore and, upon arriving at the advanced location of his Command Post, aggressively maneuvered the units under his command in effecting the rapid seizure of the assigned objectives. Courageously continuing the attack the following day, he remained in the forward area throughout the day and contributed materially to the successful completion of this vital operation. Colonel Wensinger's superb leadership, gallant fighting spirit and tactical skill were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Decorations

Here is the ribbon bar of Lieutenant General Walter W. Wensiger: