William S. Fellers

William Stanley Fellers (December 16, 1895 – November 24, 1973) was a decorated officer of the United States Marine Corps with the rank of major general. He is most noted as Director of the Staff of the Inter-American Defense Board or as Supply officer of the 1st Marine Division during World War II.

World War II

Fellers was subsequently appointed commanding officer of the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines and served in this capacity until June 1942, when he was reassigned as executive officer of the 2nd Marine Regiment. Lieutenant Colonel Fellers served in this capacity until October 1942, when he was appointed executive officer of the 5th Marine Regiment. While served in this capacity, he was responsible for establishing of the Supply base at Espiritu Santo, from where Marine units on Guadalcanal were supplied. Fellers was later decorated with the Legion of Merit with Combat "V" for his efforts during Guadalcanal Campaign.

General Smith later came to conclusion that it would be in the best interest of the 5th Marine regiment to relieve Colonel Fellers. Smith asked for that division commander, Major General Rupertus, who relieved Fellers under rotation policy on 17 August 1944. Fellers was finally relieved by Colonel Harold D. Harris and sent home.

Later service

Fellers served in this capacity until April 1946, when he was transferred to Okinawa, where he was appointed commanding officer of Marine barracks within Naval Base Okinawa. His tour of duty ended in May 1947, when he was appointed commander of Marine barracks within United States Fleet Activities Yokosuka.

He returned to the United States at the beginning of July 1948, when he was appointed chief of staff, troop training unit at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado under Major General John T. Walker. Fellers has been promoted to the rank of brigadier general in July 1949 and relieved Walker at the same time.

In January 1950, Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers, General Douglas MacArthur, requested amphibious training for occupation troops in Japan under his command. Fellers sent Colonel Edward H. Forney and Mobile Training Team Able from his troop training unit to Japan at MacArthur's request. During the following months, Fellers traveled to Japan for inspection tours of his unit and later participated in the planning of the Inchon landing on the staff of Commander of the Naval Amphibious Command, Vice admiral James H. Doyle.

Fellers returned to the United States in August 1950 and was succeeded by Major General John T. Selden. He was subsequently assigned to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, as deputy commander. Fellers served in this capacity until June 1953, when he was appointed Director of the Staff of the Inter-American Defense Board. He finally retired from the Marine Corps on June 30, 1954, and was advanced to the rank of major general on the retired list for having been specially commended in combat.

Life in retirement

Upon retirement from the Marine Corps, Fellers resided in Rome, Georgia, where he was active in Rome Rotary Club and also as communicant of St. Peter's Episcopal Church. He and his wife Ellison Bedell Fellers had together one daughter, Peggy Fellers (1923–1968), and one son, William S. Fellers Jr. (1927–2001), who also served with the Marine Corps and retired as master sergeant.

Fellers died on November 24, 1973.

Decorations

Here is the ribbon bar of Major General William S. Fellers: