Graves B. Erskine

Graves Blanchard Erskine
Graves Blanchard Erskine
Born	June 28, 1897; Columbia, Louisiana, U.S.
Died	May 21, 1973 (aged 75); Bethesda, Maryland, U.S.
Place of burial	Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Marine Corps
Years of service	1912–1916 (National Guard); 1917 – 1953 (USMC)
Rank	General
Commands held	3rd Marine Division; 1st Marine Division; Camp Pendleton; Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic
Battles/wars	World War I German Spring Offensive Battle of Château-Thierry; Battle of Belleau Wood; Battle of Soissons; ; Hundred Days Offensive St. Mihiel Offensive; ; ; Banana Wars Haiti intervention; Dominican intervention; Nicaraguan intervention; ; Chinese Civil War; World War II Attack on Pearl Harbor; Aleutian Islands campaign; Gilbert and Marshall Islands campaign Battle of Kwajalein; ; Marianas campaign Battle of Saipan; Battle of Tinian; ; Volcano and Ryukyu Islands campaign Battle of Iwo Jima; ; ; Korean War;
Awards	Navy Distinguished Service Medal; Silver Star Medal; Legion of Merit (2) w/ Combat "V"; Purple Heart Medal
Other work	Director of Special Operations of the Department of Defense (1953–1961)

General Graves Blanchard Erskine (June 28, 1897 – May 21, 1973) was a United States Marine Corps officer who led the 3rd Marine Division during the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II.

Graves Blanchard Erskine

Born	(1897-06-28)June 28, 1897 Columbia, Louisiana, U.S.
Died	May 21, 1973(1973-05-21) (aged 75) Bethesda, Maryland, U.S.
Place of burial	Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Marine Corps
Years of service	1912–1916 (National Guard) 1917 – 1953 (USMC)
Rank	General
Commands held	3rd Marine Division 1st Marine Division Camp Pendleton Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic
Battles/wars	World War I German Spring Offensive Battle of Château-Thierry Battle of Belleau Wood Battle of Soissons Hundred Days Offensive St. Mihiel Offensive Banana Wars Haiti intervention Dominican intervention Nicaraguan intervention Chinese Civil War World War II Attack on Pearl Harbor Aleutian Islands campaign Gilbert and Marshall Islands campaign Battle of Kwajalein Marianas campaign Battle of Saipan Battle of Tinian Volcano and Ryukyu Islands campaign Battle of Iwo Jima Korean War
Awards	Navy Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star Medal Legion of Merit (2) w/ Combat "V" Purple Heart Medal
Other work	Director of Special Operations of the Department of Defense (1953–1961)