| William H. Rupertus | |
|---|---|
MajGen William H. Rupertus, author of the "Rifleman's Creed" |
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| Born | November 14, 1889 Washington, D.C. |
| Died | March 25, 1945 (aged 55) Quantico, Virginia |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1913-1945 |
| Rank | Major General |
| Commands held | 4th Marine Regiment 1st Marine Division |
| Battles/wars | World War I Banana Wars *Occupation of Haiti Second Sino-Japanese War World War II *Guadalcanal campaign *Battle of Tulagi and Gavutu-Tanambogo *Battle of Cape Gloucester *Battle of Peleliu |
| Awards | Navy Cross Navy Distinguished Service Medal Army Distinguished Service Medal |
| Relations | Capt. Patrick Hill Rupertus U.S.M.C.(Father) |
William Henry Rupertus (November 14, 1889 – March 25, 1945) was a Major General in the United States Marine Corps and the author of the Rifleman's Creed.
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Rupertus began his military career immediately after high school, originally intending to serve as a cutter captain in the United States Revenue Cutter Service the earlier version of the modern Coast Guard. However, his excellent marksmanship led to his being recruited by the Marine Corps. He accepted a commission in November 1913, then attended the Marine Corps Officers School, graduating first in his class of 1915.
Rupertus served on the Marine Corps rifle team, earning the Distinguished Marksman badge and winning a number of shooting matches.
Rupertus was serving aboard the USS Florida when the United States entered World War I. He was called back to the U.S. to command a detachment of Marines headed for Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Rupertus served in Haiti until after the war, when he was sent to staff officer training and then made Inspector of Target Practice in the Operations and Training Division at Marine Corps Headquarters.
In July 1937, Rupertus was a battalion commander in the 4th Marines when the Japanese attacked Shanghai in the Second Sino-Japanese War.
During World War II, he served as Assistant Division Commander of the 1st Marine Division under Major General Alexander Vandegrift. It was around this time that Rupertus is said to have penned The Rifleman's Creed, with the intent of encouraging expert marksmanship and Marines' trust in their weapons.
Rupertus commanded the Landing Task Force Organization which captured the islands of Tulagi, Gavutu and Tanambogo in the Guadalcanal campaign. After Vandegrift left the division in 1943, Rupertus took command. He led the 1st Marine Division during the Battle of Cape Gloucester and the Battle of Peleliu.
In November 1944, Major General Rupertus became the commandant of the Marine Corps Schools at Quantico, Virginia. His tenure was short, however, as he died of a heart attack on March 25, 1945, just four months later. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.[1]
Major General Rupertus' decorations included:
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| Navy Cross | |||
| Navy Distinguished Service Medal | Army Distinguished Service Medal | Navy Presidential Unit Citation w/ 1 service star | Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal w/ 1 service star |
| World War I Victory Medal w/ Grand Fleet clasp | Haitian Campaign Medal (1921) | China Service Medal | American Defense Service Medal w/ Base clasp |
| American Campaign Medal | Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal w/ 4 service stars | World War II Victory Medal | Haitian Distinguished Service Medal |
In 1945, the U.S. Navy destroyer USS Rupertus (DD-851) was named in his honor.[2]
MGEN Rupertus also received the Faciat Georgius commemorative medal for service on Guadalcanal.
| Military offices | ||
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| Preceded by Alexander Vandegrift |
Commanding General of the 1st Marine Division 8 July 1943 – 2 November 1944 |
Succeeded by Pedro del Valle |