Lowell English
Encyclopedia
Major General
Lowell Edward English (July 8, 1915–September 29, 2005) was a United States Marine Corps
general who served in World War II
, Korea
and Vietnam
.
, on July 8, 1915. He received a B.A. degree
in 1938 from the University of Nebraska, where he was a three-year member of the varsity football team, which was one of the Big Six Champions at the time. He turned down an offer to play football with the Chicago Bears
in favor of the Marine Corps.
for one year. He then returned to San Diego as a recruit training officer, then became a platoon leader in the 7th Defense Battalion
. On February 24, 1941, English married Eleanor R. McCallum, and they remained married until his death, having three children together: Loellen Kay, Bruce Browning and Becky Lynne.
After the outbreak of the World War II
in December 1941, Captain English was given command of a company in the 3rd Marine Division, 2nd Brigade. He led his unit into combat at Guadalcanal and Bougainville
, and was then assigned as the executive officer for the 2nd Battalion with whom he took part in the capture of Guam and was awarded a Bronze Star
. In 1945, he participated in the battle of Iwo Jima
and was awarded the Legion of Merit
for his actions in the battle. Promoted by now to lieutenant colonel, he was subsequently wounded and evacuated back to the United States
.
By September, he was assigned to the Marine Training and Replacement Center in San Diego before commanding California
's Guard Battalion at Camp Pendleton. From May 1946 until June 1949, English served as Battalion Officer and Head of the Academic Section at the U.S. Naval Academy
in Annapolis
, before transferring to West Point as an instructor in Military Psychology
and Leadership
. This was followed by the completion of a five-month course at the Armed Forces Staff College, Norfolk
, Virginia
, in January 1953.
From January to July 1953, English was the commanding officer of the 3rd Battalion and executive officer of the 1st Marines
in Korea
. For "exceptionally meritorious service" he was awarded a second Legion of Merit
.
English returned to the United States in December 1953 and was assigned to the Marine Corps Recruit Depot
in San Diego once more until June 1957. While there he was promoted to full colonel
in May 1954.
In July 1957, English became commander of the Training and Test Regiment at the Marine Corps Schools
, Quantico
and later commanded The Basic School for two years. In July 1961, he completed the Army War College in Pennsylvania
, and in 1962 he earned a master's degree
in International Relations
. He was then transferred to Washington
to serve as assistant to the Director, Policy and Planning Staff, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs.
In August 1963, English was transferred to London
, England
, and promoted to brigadier general
, working for the Commander in Chief, U. S. Naval Forces, Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean. He returned to the United States in January 1964 when he was assigned to Strike Command, Macdill Air Force Base
, Tampa
, Florida
, and earned the Navy Commendation Medal for his service.
English was sent to Vietnam
in December 1965 and served as Assistant Division Commander, 3rd Marine Division. He commanded American forces at the Khe Sanh
Marine base during the siege
. English regarded Khe Sanh as "a trap" to force Westmoreland
to "expend absolutely unreasonable amounts of men and material to defend a piece of terrain that wasn't worth a damn". English resented the order to defend the area, and the fact that it allowed Westmoreland to place the Marine Corps under U.S. Army command. In 1966, he commanded a task force in the five-day-long "Texas Operation".
English returned to the United States in 1967 and was promoted to Major General
on the January 13, becoming the 25th commander of the Marine Training and Replacement Center
. He retired from active service in 1969.
, serving in that capacity for ten years.
In 1991, English was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease
, and on September 29, 2005, he died at the age of 90 at the Silverado Senior Living assisted living community in San Diego, California
. He is survived by his wife Eleanor R. English and three children.
Major general (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force, major general is a two-star general-officer rank, with the pay grade of O-8. Major general ranks above brigadier general and below lieutenant general...
Lowell Edward English (July 8, 1915–September 29, 2005) was a 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...
general who served in 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...
, Korea
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...
and Vietnam
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
.
Biography
Lowell English was born in Fairbury, NebraskaFairbury, Nebraska
Fairbury is a city in Jefferson County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 4,262 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Jefferson County....
, on July 8, 1915. He received a B.A. degree
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in 1938 from the University of Nebraska, where he was a three-year member of the varsity football team, which was one of the Big Six Champions at the time. He turned down an offer to play football with the Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
in favor of the Marine Corps.
Military career
In July 1938, he was commissioned in the Marine Corps as a Second Lieutenant and underwent training until the following June at the Basic School for Marine Corps officers at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. After completing his training, he was stationed onboard the USS NevadaUSS Nevada (BB-36)
USS Nevada , the second United States Navy ship to be named after the 36th state, was the lead ship of the two Nevada-class battleships; her sister ship was...
for one year. He then returned to San Diego as a recruit training officer, then became a platoon leader in the 7th Defense Battalion
Battalion
A battalion is a military unit of around 300–1,200 soldiers usually consisting of between two and seven companies and typically commanded by either a Lieutenant Colonel or a Colonel...
. On February 24, 1941, English married Eleanor R. McCallum, and they remained married until his death, having three children together: Loellen Kay, Bruce Browning and Becky Lynne.
After the outbreak of the 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...
in December 1941, Captain English was given command of a company in the 3rd Marine Division, 2nd Brigade. He led his unit into combat at Guadalcanal and Bougainville
Bougainville campaign (1944-45)
The Bougainville campaign was fought by the Allies in the South Pacific during World War II to regain control of the island of Bougainville from the Japanese forces who had occupied it in 1942. During their occupation the Japanese constructed naval aircraft bases in the north, east, and south of...
, and was then assigned as the executive officer for the 2nd Battalion with whom he took part in the capture of Guam and was awarded a 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...
. In 1945, he participated in the battle of Iwo Jima
Battle of Iwo Jima
The Battle of Iwo Jima , or Operation Detachment, was a major battle in which the United States fought for and captured the island of Iwo Jima from the Empire of Japan. The U.S...
and was awarded 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...
for his actions in the battle. Promoted by now to lieutenant colonel, he was subsequently wounded and evacuated back to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
By September, he was assigned to the Marine Training and Replacement Center in San Diego before commanding California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
's Guard Battalion at Camp Pendleton. From May 1946 until June 1949, English served as Battalion Officer and Head of the Academic Section at the U.S. Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
in Annapolis
Annapolis, Maryland
Annapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Maryland, as well as the county seat of Anne Arundel County. It had a population of 38,394 at the 2010 census and is situated on the Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Severn River, south of Baltimore and about east of Washington, D.C. Annapolis is...
, before transferring to West Point as an instructor in Military Psychology
Military psychiatrist
A military psychiatrist is a psychiatrist — whether uniformed officer or civilian consultant — specializing in the treatment of military personnel and military family members suffering from mental disorders that occur within the statistical norm for any population, as well as those disorders...
and Leadership
Leadership
Leadership has been described as the “process of social influence in which one person can enlist the aid and support of others in the accomplishment of a common task". Other in-depth definitions of leadership have also emerged.-Theories:...
. This was followed by the completion of a five-month course at the Armed Forces Staff College, Norfolk
Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. With a population of 242,803 as of the 2010 Census, it is Virginia's second-largest city behind neighboring Virginia Beach....
, Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
, in January 1953.
From January to July 1953, English was the commanding officer of the 3rd Battalion and executive officer of the 1st Marines
U.S. 1st Marine Regiment
The 1st Marine Regiment is an infantry regiment of the United States Marine Corps based at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California. The regiment, sometimes known as "Inchon", falls under the command of the 1st Marine Division and the I Marine Expeditionary Force.-Subordinate units:The...
in Korea
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...
. For "exceptionally meritorious service" he was awarded a second 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...
.
English returned to the United States in December 1953 and was assigned to the Marine Corps Recruit Depot
Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego
Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego is a United States Marine Corps military installation in San Diego, California. It lies between San Diego Bay and Interstate 5, adjacent to San Diego International Airport and the former Naval Training Center San Diego...
in San Diego once more until June 1957. While there he was promoted to full colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
in May 1954.
In July 1957, English became commander of the Training and Test Regiment at the Marine Corps Schools
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...
, Quantico
Quantico, Virginia
- Demographics :As of the census of 2000, there are 561 people, 295 households, and 107 families living in the town. The population density is . There are 359 housing units at an average density of .-Racial composition:...
and later commanded The Basic School for two years. In July 1961, he completed the Army War College in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, and in 1962 he earned a master's degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
in International Relations
International relations
International relations is the study of relationships between countries, including the roles of states, inter-governmental organizations , international nongovernmental organizations , non-governmental organizations and multinational corporations...
. He was then transferred to Washington
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
to serve as assistant to the Director, Policy and Planning Staff, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs.
In August 1963, English was transferred to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, and promoted to brigadier general
Brigadier general (United States)
A brigadier general in the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, is a one-star general officer, with the pay grade of O-7. Brigadier general ranks above a colonel and below major general. Brigadier general is equivalent to the rank of rear admiral in the other uniformed...
, working for the Commander in Chief, U. S. Naval Forces, Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean. He returned to the United States in January 1964 when he was assigned to Strike Command, Macdill Air Force Base
MacDill Air Force Base
MacDill Air Force Base is an active United States Air Force base located approximately south-southwest of downtown Tampa, Florida...
, Tampa
Tampa, Florida
Tampa is a city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida. The population of Tampa in 2010 was 335,709....
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, and earned the Navy Commendation Medal for his service.
English was sent to Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
in December 1965 and served as Assistant Division Commander, 3rd Marine Division. He commanded American forces at the Khe Sanh
Khe Sanh
Khe Sanh is the district capital of Hướng Hoá District, Quảng Trị Province, Vietnam, located 63 km west of Đông Hà.Khe Sanh Combat Base was a United States Marine Corps outpost in South Vietnam used during the Vietnam War. The airstrip was built in September 1962...
Marine base during the siege
Battle of Khe Sanh
The Battle of Khe Sanh was conducted in northwestern Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam , between 21 January and 9 July 1968 during the Vietnam War...
. English regarded Khe Sanh as "a trap" to force Westmoreland
William Westmoreland
William Childs Westmoreland was a United States Army General, who commanded US military operations in the Vietnam War at its peak , during the Tet Offensive. He adopted a strategy of attrition against the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam and the North Vietnamese Army. He later served as...
to "expend absolutely unreasonable amounts of men and material to defend a piece of terrain that wasn't worth a damn". English resented the order to defend the area, and the fact that it allowed Westmoreland to place the Marine Corps under U.S. Army command. In 1966, he commanded a task force in the five-day-long "Texas Operation".
English returned to the United States in 1967 and was promoted to Major General
Major general (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force, major general is a two-star general-officer rank, with the pay grade of O-8. Major general ranks above brigadier general and below lieutenant general...
on the January 13, becoming the 25th commander of the Marine Training and Replacement Center
Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego
Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego is a United States Marine Corps military installation in San Diego, California. It lies between San Diego Bay and Interstate 5, adjacent to San Diego International Airport and the former Naval Training Center San Diego...
. He retired from active service in 1969.
Retirement and death
In 1972, English became the director of the San Diego Museum of ManSan Diego Museum of Man
The San Diego Museum of Man is a museum of anthropology located in Balboa Park, San Diego, California and housed in several historic landmark buildings.-Exhibits:...
, serving in that capacity for ten years.
In 1991, English was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease also known in medical literature as Alzheimer disease is the most common form of dementia. There is no cure for the disease, which worsens as it progresses, and eventually leads to death...
, and on September 29, 2005, he died at the age of 90 at the Silverado Senior Living assisted living community in San Diego, California
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
. He is survived by his wife Eleanor R. English and three children.
Military awards and decorations
Maj Gen English's awards include:| 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... w/1 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... |
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... w/ V Device w/1 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... |
Bronze Star w/ V Device | Purple Heart Purple Heart The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York... |
| 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:... |
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... w/ 2 service star Service star A service star, also referred to as a battle star, campaign star, or engagement star, is an attachment to a United States military decoration which denotes participation in military campaigns or multiple bestowals of the same award. Service stars are typically issued for campaign medals, service... s |
World War II Victory Medal |
| 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... w/ 2 service stars |
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... |
Vietnam Service Medal Vietnam Service Medal The Vietnam Service Medal is a military award which was created in 1965 by order of President Lyndon B. Johnson. The distinctive design was the creation of sculptor Thomas Hudson Jones, a former employee of the Army Institute of Heraldry. The medal is issued to recognize military service during... |
Vietnam Campaign Medal Vietnam Campaign Medal The Vietnam Campaign Medal is a military recognition awarded by the Republic of Vietnam, , to any member of the United States, Australian, New Zealand and allied military forces serving six months or more in support of Republic of Vietnam military operations.Established in 1966, the decoration is... |
See also
- World War IIWorld War IIWorld 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...
- Korean WarKorean WarThe 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...
- Vietnam WarVietnam WarThe Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
- Khe SanhKhe SanhKhe Sanh is the district capital of Hướng Hoá District, Quảng Trị Province, Vietnam, located 63 km west of Đông Hà.Khe Sanh Combat Base was a United States Marine Corps outpost in South Vietnam used during the Vietnam War. The airstrip was built in September 1962...
- List of Korean War veterans who are recipients of the Bronze Star