Carson Abel Roberts
Encyclopedia
Carson Abel Roberts was a Lieutenant General
in the United States Marine Corps
.
. He would graduate from high school in Madison, Wisconsin
and obtain a B.D. in Philosophy
from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Roberts would marry Evelyn Gresham, who died in 1977. He died on December 19, 1983 in Pinehurst, North Carolina
and is buried with Evelyn at Arlington National Cemetery
.
. During World War II
he would serve with Marine Aircraft Group 11
and the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing
. Following the war he was named Assistant Chief of Staff of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing
. Later he would command the Marine Corps Air Station Eagle Mountain Lake
. During the Korean War
he would serve as Deputy Chief of Staff of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing
, later becoming Chief of Staff. Also, he would command Marine Aircraft Group 33
. From 1952 to 1953 he served as Chief of Staff of Aircraft of the Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic
. Later he was named Assistant Commander of Marine Corps Air Station Quantico
. He would serve as Inspector General of the Marine Corps and as Director of Armed Forces Information and Education with the United States Department of Defense
. In 1957 he became Deputy Chief of Staff of Plans at the Headquarters of the Marine Corps. From there he became Commanding General of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
. Later he became Commanding General of Aircraft of the Fleet Marine Force, Pacific
before being named commander of the entire Fleet Marine Force, Pacific in 1962. His retirement was effective as of March 1, 1964.
, the Legion of Merit
with valor device
, the Distinguished Flying Cross
, the Bronze Star Medal
with award star
and valor device, the Presidential Unit Citation, the American Defense Service Medal
with base clasp
, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
with three award stars, the American Campaign Medal
, the World War II Victory Medal, the China Service Medal
, the National Defense Service Medal
, the Korean Service Medal
with four award stars, the United Nations Korea Medal, and the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation.
Lieutenant General (United States)
In the United States Army, the United States Air Force and the United States Marine Corps, lieutenant general is a three-star general officer rank, with the pay grade of O-9. Lieutenant general ranks above major general and below general...
in the United States Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
.
Biography
Roberts was born on September 4, 1905 in Lancaster, WisconsinLancaster, Wisconsin
Lancaster is a city in and the county seat of Grant County, Wisconsin, United States. As of the 2000 census, the population was 4,070.-History:...
. He would graduate from high school in Madison, Wisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin
Madison is the capital of the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Dane County. It is also home to the University of Wisconsin–Madison....
and obtain a B.D. in Philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Roberts would marry Evelyn Gresham, who died in 1977. He died on December 19, 1983 in Pinehurst, North Carolina
Pinehurst, North Carolina
Pinehurst is a village in Moore County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 9,706 at the 2000 census. It is the location of the Pinehurst Resort, venue of the 1936 PGA Championship, the 1951 Ryder Cup. The host site for the 1999, 2005,& 2014 U.S. Open Golf Championships, the 2008 U.S....
and is buried with Evelyn at Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia, is a military cemetery in the United States of America, established during the American Civil War on the grounds of Arlington House, formerly the estate of the family of Confederate general Robert E. Lee's wife Mary Anna Lee, a great...
.
Career
Roberts joined the Marines in 1929. In 1934 he was designated an aviatorAviator
An aviator is a person who flies an aircraft. The first recorded use of the term was in 1887, as a variation of 'aviation', from the Latin avis , coined in 1863 by G. de la Landelle in Aviation Ou Navigation Aérienne...
. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
he would serve with Marine Aircraft Group 11
Marine Aircraft Group 11
Marine Aircraft Group 11 is a United States Marine Corps aviation unit based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar that is currently composed of three F/A-18C squadrons, three F/A-18D squadrons, one fleet readiness squadron, one KC-130 tactical aerial refueling squadron and a maintenance and...
and the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing
4th Marine Aircraft Wing
The 4th Marine Aircraft Wing is the reserve airwing of the United States Marine Corps. It is headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana but its subordinate units are scattered throughout the United States...
. Following the war he was named Assistant Chief of Staff of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing
1st Marine Aircraft Wing
The 1st Marine Aircraft Wing is an aviation unit of the United States Marine Corps that serves as the Aviation Combat Element of the III Marine Expeditionary Force. The wing is headquartered at Camp Foster on the island of Okinawa, Japan...
. Later he would command the Marine Corps Air Station Eagle Mountain Lake
Marine Corps Air Station Eagle Mountain Lake
Marine Corps Air Station Eagle Mountain Lake was a United States Marine Corps air station that was located northwest of Fort Worth, Texas during World War II. Commissioned on December 1, 1942 the air station was originally supposed to be the home of the Marine Corps glider program...
. During the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
he would serve as Deputy Chief of Staff of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing
1st Marine Aircraft Wing
The 1st Marine Aircraft Wing is an aviation unit of the United States Marine Corps that serves as the Aviation Combat Element of the III Marine Expeditionary Force. The wing is headquartered at Camp Foster on the island of Okinawa, Japan...
, later becoming Chief of Staff. Also, he would command Marine Aircraft Group 33
Marine Aviation Training Support Group 33
Marine Aviation and Training Support Group 33 is a United States Marine Corps aviation training group that was originally established during World War II as Marine Aircraft Group 33...
. From 1952 to 1953 he served as Chief of Staff of Aircraft of the Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic
Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic
The United States Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic is the maritime landing force that are spread across the Atlantic Ocean and reports to the United States Atlantic Command...
. Later he was named Assistant Commander of Marine Corps Air Station Quantico
Marine Corps Base Quantico
Marine Corps Base Quantico, sometimes abbreviated MCB Quantico, is a major United States Marine Corps training base located near Triangle, Virginia, covering nearly in southern Prince William County, northern Stafford County, and southeastern Fauquier County...
. He would serve as Inspector General of the Marine Corps and as Director of Armed Forces Information and Education with the United States Department of Defense
United States Department of Defense
The United States Department of Defense is the U.S...
. In 1957 he became Deputy Chief of Staff of Plans at the Headquarters of the Marine Corps. From there he became Commanding General of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
The 3d Marine Aircraft Wing is the major west coast aviation unit of the United States Marine Corps. It is headquartered at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California and provides the aviation combat element for I Marine Expeditionary Force...
. Later he became Commanding General of Aircraft of the Fleet Marine Force, Pacific
Fleet Marine Force, Pacific
The United States Fleet Marine Force, Pacific is the largest maritime landing force in the world. Its units are spread across the Pacific Ocean and reports to the United States Pacific Command. It is headquartered at MCB Camp H. M...
before being named commander of the entire Fleet Marine Force, Pacific in 1962. His retirement was effective as of March 1, 1964.
Awards and decorations
Awards he received include the Navy Distinguished Service MedalNavy Distinguished Service Medal
The Navy Distinguished Service Medal is a military award of the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps which was first created in 1919. The decoration is the Navy and Marine Corps equivalent to the Army Distinguished Service Medal, the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, and the Coast...
, the Legion of Merit
Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
with valor device
Valor device
The Valor device is an award of the United States military which is a bronze attachment to certain medals to indicate that it was received for valor...
, the Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...
, the Bronze Star Medal
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
with award star
Award star
An award star is a decoration issued to personnel of the United States Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard in lieu of multiple awards of the same award. An award star is very similar to an oak leaf cluster, which serves the same purpose in the United States Army and United States Air Force...
and valor device, the Presidential Unit Citation, the American Defense Service Medal
American Defense Service Medal
The American Defense Service Medal is a decoration of the United States military, recognizing service before America’s entry into the Second World War but during the initial years of the European conflict.-Criteria:...
with base clasp
Medal bar
A medal bar or medal clasp is a thin metal bar attached to the ribbon of a military decoration, civil decoration, or other medal. It is most commonly used to indicate the campaign or operation the recipient received the award for, and multiple bars on the same medal are used to indicate that the...
, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal is a service decoration of the Second World War which was awarded to any member of the United States military who served in the Pacific Theater from 1941 to 1945 and was created on November 6, 1942 by issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The medal was...
with three award stars, the American Campaign Medal
American Campaign Medal
The American Campaign Medal was a military decoration of the United States armed forces which was first created on November 6, 1942 by issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt...
, the World War II Victory Medal, the China Service Medal
China Service Medal
The China Service Medal was a military medal awarded to U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard personnel. The medal was instituted on August 23, 1940 and featured a yellow ribbon with narrow red edge stripes...
, the National Defense Service Medal
National Defense Service Medal
The National Defense Service Medal is a military service medal of the United States military originally commissioned by President Dwight D. Eisenhower...
, the Korean Service Medal
Korean Service Medal
The Korean Service Medal is an award of the United States military and was created in November 1950 by executive order of President Harry Truman. The Korean Service Medal is the primary United States medal for participation in the Korean War and is awarded to any U.S. service member, who...
with four award stars, the United Nations Korea Medal, and the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation.
| Navy Distinguished Service Medal Navy Distinguished Service Medal The Navy Distinguished Service Medal is a military award of the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps which was first created in 1919. The decoration is the Navy and Marine Corps equivalent to the Army Distinguished Service Medal, the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, and the Coast... |
Legion of Merit Legion of Merit The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements... with "V" Device |
||
| Distinguished Flying Cross Distinguished Flying Cross (United States) The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The... |
Bronze Star Bronze Star Medal The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the... with "V" device and award star |
Presidential Unit Citation | American Defense Service Medal American Defense Service Medal The American Defense Service Medal is a decoration of the United States military, recognizing service before America’s entry into the Second World War but during the initial years of the European conflict.-Criteria:... with Base Clasp |
| American Campaign Medal American Campaign Medal The American Campaign Medal was a military decoration of the United States armed forces which was first created on November 6, 1942 by issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt... |
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal is a service decoration of the Second World War which was awarded to any member of the United States military who served in the Pacific Theater from 1941 to 1945 and was created on November 6, 1942 by issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The medal was... with three bronze stars |
World War II Victory Medal | China Service Medal China Service Medal The China Service Medal was a military medal awarded to U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard personnel. The medal was instituted on August 23, 1940 and featured a yellow ribbon with narrow red edge stripes... |
| National Defense Service Medal National Defense Service Medal The National Defense Service Medal is a military service medal of the United States military originally commissioned by President Dwight D. Eisenhower... |
Korean Service Medal Korean Service Medal The Korean Service Medal is an award of the United States military and was created in November 1950 by executive order of President Harry Truman. The Korean Service Medal is the primary United States medal for participation in the Korean War and is awarded to any U.S. service member, who... with four bronze stars |
United Nations Korea Medal | Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation |