Webb D. Sawyer

Webb Duane Sawyer (August 31, 1918 – April 26, 1995) was a highly decorated United States Marine with the rank of brigadier general. He was awarded the Navy Cross and three Silver Stars during one deployment in Korea.

Early life and World War II Webb D. Sawyer was born on August 31, 1918, in Toledo, Ohio. Upon graduating from the University of Toledo, he commissioned into the Marine Corps in 1941.

During World War II, he was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 24th Marines, 4th Marine Division. Captain Sawyer took part in the battles of Kwajalein, Saipan, and Tinian as the battalion operations officer. At Saipan, he also assumed the role of executive officer of the battalion when the original executive officer was wounded. He was awarded a Bronze Star for his actions at Saipan.

After World War II, he was known as an expert in the reduction of fortifications while serving as an instructor at Quantico, Virginia. On the night of November 3, 1950, during the advance into North Korea from Wonsan, Sawyer's battalion was fiercely assaulted, but he managed to close numerous gaps created in the line and led his Marines to victory. One week later, subzero temperatures arrived in the Chosin Reservoir area, and the Chinese military followed by the end of the month, beginning the battle of Chosin Reservoir. The Marines began retreating back to Wonsan.

On December 6, the retreating Marines encountered an enemy roadblock position. Sawyer led an assault on the position and repelled the enemy. He continued directing the fighting for the next 22 hours and refused evacuation despite being wounded in the foot by shrapnel from mortar fire. On December 8, after 11 days of constant fighting, his depleted battalion was providing flanking protection during the attack on Hill 1304. Sawyer observed a rifle company in the process of being outflanked by the enemy and made his way to over difficult terrain despite his foot wound. Sawyer led the attack and routed the enemy from his position, inflicting heavy losses. After taking the hill, he led the remnants of his battalion four miles down a steep mountain. Sawyer was awarded a total of three Silver Stars for his actions during the fighting in the Chosin Reservoir area. He later saw additional service during the Vietnam War. He retired from the Marine Corps as a Brigadier General on July 31, 1969. Webb D. Sawyer died on April 26, 1995, in La Jolla, California.