Rathvon M. Tompkins

Rathvon M. Tompkins
Major General Tompkins in 1966
Born	(1912-08-23)August 23, 1912 Boulder, Colorado
Died	September 17, 1999(1999-09-17) (aged 87) Lexington, South Carolina
Buried	Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Marine Corps
Years of service	1935–1971
Rank	Major general
Service number	0-5269
Commands held	Camp Lejeune 3rd Marine Division MCRD Parris Island 2nd Marine Division 5th Marine Regiment 1st Battalion, 29th Marines
Battles/wars	World War II Occupation of Iceland Battle of Guadalcanal Battle of Gifu Battle of Tarawa Battle of Saipan Korean War Dominican Civil War Vietnam War Con Thien Battle of Khe Sanh Tet Offensive
Awards	Navy Cross Navy Distinguished Service Medal (2) Silver Star Legion of Merit (2) Bronze Star Medal (2) Purple Heart
Relations	Major General Clayton B. Vogel (father-in-law)

Rathvon McClure Tompkins (August 23, 1912 – September 17, 1999) was a highly decorated United States Marine Corps major general. He saw combat in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and led Marine units during the Dominican Civil War. Tompkins is well known for his part as commander of the 3rd Marine Division during the Battle of Khe Sanh in Vietnam.^[1]

During his 36 years of Marine Corps service, Tompkins was awarded the Navy Cross, the United States military's second-highest decoration awarded for valor in combat, for his actions during the Battle of Saipan and the Silver Star for actions during the Battle of Tarawa.^[2]