Merwin H. Silverthorn

Merwin Hancock Silverthorn
File:Merwin Hancock Silverthorn.jpg Merwin H. Silverthorn as a Lieutenant General
Born	(1896-09-22)September 22, 1896 Minneapolis, Minnesota
Died	Bethesda Naval Hospital
Place of burial	Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Marine Corps
Years of service	1917 - 1954
Rank	Lieutenant General
Commands held	Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps
Battles/wars	World War I Battle of Château-Thierry Second Battle of the Marne Meuse-Argonne Offensive World War II
Awards	Navy Cross Distinguished Service Cross Navy Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit Silver Star (2) Purple Heart

Merwin Hancock Silverthorn (September 22, 1896 – August 14, 1985) was a highly decorated the 3rd Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps with the rank of Lieutenant General.

He was an expert in amphibious warfare and taught courses at Marine Corps training facilities in the 1930s. He served in numerous conflicts including World War I and World War II.

Early years

Silverthorn was born September 22, 1896 in Minneapolis, Minnesota and enlisted in the Marines as a private on 27 April 1917. After attending of basic training, Silverthorn was assigned to the newly created 5th Marine Regiment and was sent to the France within American Expeditionary Forces.

Silverthorn was commissioned as a second lieutenant on 9 June 1918. Subsequently participated in the Battle of Château-Thierry, Aisne-Marne Offensive and Meuse-Argonne Offensive. For his actions, Silverthorn was decorated with the Navy Cross, Distinguished Service Cross, two Silver Stars and Purple Heart.

After the war, Silverthorn remained in the Europe for occupation duties until September 1919. After return to the States, Silverthorn attended a Tour of duty at Washington, D.C., Mare Island Naval Shipyard and Marine Corps Base Quantico and then, in May 1923, was sent to Haiti, where he helped in organizing of police units.

By the time he retired he had achieved the rank of Lieutenant General. He died August 14, 1985 in Bethesda naval Hospital and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

Lieut. Gen. Merwin Hancock Silverthorn died August 14 at Bethesda Naval Medical Center.

Decorations

1st Row		Navy Cross
2nd Row	Distinguished Service Cross	Navy Distinguished Service Medal	Silver Star with Oak leaf cluster	Legion of Merit with "V" Device
3rd Row	Purple Heart	Army Commendation Medal	Navy and Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation with one star	Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal
4th Row	World War I Victory Medal with four clasps	Army of Occupation of Germany Medal	Haitian Campaign Medal	American Defense Service Medal with fleet clasp
5th Row	American Campaign Medal	Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with three battle stars	World War II Victory Medal	National Defense Service Medal

See also

• Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps.