Major General William G. Joslyn retired from active duty on July 1, 1976. He was born March 14, 1922, in San Francisco, CA, and graduated from Lowell High School there. He enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve on April 13, 1942, while attending Stanford University. Upon graduation, he received a B. A. degree. He was commissioned a reserve second lieutenant on April 12, 1944.
General Joslyn served as an instructor at The Basic School, Quantico, VA, for one year prior to becoming a platoon commander with the 2d Marine Division in the Pacific. He was promoted to first lieutenant in June 1945, and accompanied the Division to Japan for occupation duty following World War II, returning to the United States in September 1946.
Ordered to Oakland, CA, in September 1946, General Joslyn served as Supply and Executive Officer of the Marine Barracks until June 1949, when he reported to Headquarters Marine Corps, Washington, DC, and was assigned to the Personnel Department until January 1952. He was promoted to captain in January 1951.
General Joslyn saw combat action during the Korean Conflict as an infantry company commander and battalion operations officer with the 1st Battalion 1st Marine Regiment Marine Division from April 1952 until March 1953. For his service as Commanding Officer, Company B, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V". He also earned the Purple Heart Medal and the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat "V".
He returned to the United States in March 1953, and served for two years as a recruiting officer in Los Angeles, CA. He was promoted to major in December 1954, and attended the Amphibious Warfare School, Quantico, VA, completing the Junior Course in July 1956.
General Joslyn arrived in Hawaii in July 1956, for duty as Aide-de-Camp to the Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific. In September 1957, he was transferred to Norfolk, VA, serving in the same capacity to the Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic, and later as Assistant Operations Officer, G-3. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel in July 1960, and transferred to Camp Lejeune, NC, to serve with the 2d Marine Division as Assistant Division Plans Officer and Commanding Officer, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment.
General Joslyn was reassigned to the 1st Marine Corps District, Garden City, NY, in May 1962, and served as Assistant Director for Personnel Procurement, until December 1963, when he assumed command of Marine Barracks, Vallejo, CA.
In August 1965, General Joslyn received orders to the Republic of Vietnam and served as Assistant G-3, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, receiving a gold star in lieu of his second Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V". Following his promotion to colonel in June 1966, he returned to the United States and became the Marine Corps Advisor to the Commandant, Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL. He remained there until June 1969, when he was transferred to San Diego, CA, for duty as Commanding Officer, Recruit Training Regiment. He was awarded the Legion of Merit during this assignment.
General Joslyn was reassigned as Chief of Staff, 3d Marine Division, on Okinawa, in July 1970, and in December of that year assumed the responsibilities of Chief of Staff, III Marine Amphibious Force, in Vietnam. He was awarded a gold star in lieu of a second Legion of Merit during this tour.
General Joslyn was promoted to brigadier general February 1, 1971, and returned to the United States the following July. He arrived at Headquarters Marine Corps and served as Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3, and later as Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3, until April 1973, when he became Commanding General, Force Troops, Pacific, Twentynine Palms, CA. He was assigned as Commanding General, 2d Marine Division Camp Lejeune, NC, following his advancement to major general on May 10, 1974. Upon his retirement on July 1, 1976, he was awarded a gold star in lieu of a third Legion of Merit.
In addition to the Legion of Merit with two gold stars, the Bronze Star Medal with one gold star, and the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat "V", his awards and decorations include: the Air Force Commendation Medal; the Purple Heart Medal, the Presidential Unit Citation; the Navy Unit Commendation; the Air Force Outstanding Unit Commendation Medal; the Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal; the American Campaign Medal; the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal; the World War II Victory Medal; the Navy Occupation Service Medal; the National Defense Service Medal with one bronze star; the Korean Service Medal with three bronze stars; the Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze stars; the National Order of Vietnam, 5th Class; the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with palm; the Korean Presidential Unit Citation; the United Nations Service Medal; and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
General Joslyn served as an instructor at The Basic School, Quantico, VA, for one year prior to becoming a platoon commander with the 2d Marine Division in the Pacific. He was promoted to first lieutenant in June 1945, and accompanied the Division to Japan for occupation duty following World War II, returning to the United States in September 1946.
Ordered to Oakland, CA, in September 1946, General Joslyn served as Supply and Executive Officer of the Marine Barracks until June 1949, when he reported to Headquarters Marine Corps, Washington, DC, and was assigned to the Personnel Department until January 1952. He was promoted to captain in January 1951.
General Joslyn saw combat action during the Korean Conflict as an infantry company commander and battalion operations officer with the 1st Battalion 1st Marine Regiment Marine Division from April 1952 until March 1953. For his service as Commanding Officer, Company B, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V". He also earned the Purple Heart Medal and the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat "V".
He returned to the United States in March 1953, and served for two years as a recruiting officer in Los Angeles, CA. He was promoted to major in December 1954, and attended the Amphibious Warfare School, Quantico, VA, completing the Junior Course in July 1956.
General Joslyn arrived in Hawaii in July 1956, for duty as Aide-de-Camp to the Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific. In September 1957, he was transferred to Norfolk, VA, serving in the same capacity to the Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic, and later as Assistant Operations Officer, G-3. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel in July 1960, and transferred to Camp Lejeune, NC, to serve with the 2d Marine Division as Assistant Division Plans Officer and Commanding Officer, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment.
General Joslyn was reassigned to the 1st Marine Corps District, Garden City, NY, in May 1962, and served as Assistant Director for Personnel Procurement, until December 1963, when he assumed command of Marine Barracks, Vallejo, CA.
In August 1965, General Joslyn received orders to the Republic of Vietnam and served as Assistant G-3, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, receiving a gold star in lieu of his second Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V". Following his promotion to colonel in June 1966, he returned to the United States and became the Marine Corps Advisor to the Commandant, Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL. He remained there until June 1969, when he was transferred to San Diego, CA, for duty as Commanding Officer, Recruit Training Regiment. He was awarded the Legion of Merit during this assignment.
General Joslyn was reassigned as Chief of Staff, 3d Marine Division, on Okinawa, in July 1970, and in December of that year assumed the responsibilities of Chief of Staff, III Marine Amphibious Force, in Vietnam. He was awarded a gold star in lieu of a second Legion of Merit during this tour.
General Joslyn was promoted to brigadier general February 1, 1971, and returned to the United States the following July. He arrived at Headquarters Marine Corps and served as Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3, and later as Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3, until April 1973, when he became Commanding General, Force Troops, Pacific, Twentynine Palms, CA. He was assigned as Commanding General, 2d Marine Division Camp Lejeune, NC, following his advancement to major general on May 10, 1974. Upon his retirement on July 1, 1976, he was awarded a gold star in lieu of a third Legion of Merit.
In addition to the Legion of Merit with two gold stars, the Bronze Star Medal with one gold star, and the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat "V", his awards and decorations include: the Air Force Commendation Medal; the Purple Heart Medal, the Presidential Unit Citation; the Navy Unit Commendation; the Air Force Outstanding Unit Commendation Medal; the Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal; the American Campaign Medal; the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal; the World War II Victory Medal; the Navy Occupation Service Medal; the National Defense Service Medal with one bronze star; the Korean Service Medal with three bronze stars; the Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze stars; the National Order of Vietnam, 5th Class; the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with palm; the Korean Presidential Unit Citation; the United Nations Service Medal; and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
Major General William G. Joslyn retired from active duty on July 1, 1976. He was born March 14, 1922, in San Francisco, CA, and graduated from Lowell High School there. He enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve on April 13, 1942, while attending Stanford University. Upon graduation, he received a B. A. degree. He was commissioned a reserve second lieutenant on April 12, 1944.
General Joslyn served as an instructor at The Basic School, Quantico, VA, for one year prior to becoming a platoon commander with the 2d Marine Division in the Pacific. He was promoted to first lieutenant in June 1945, and accompanied the Division to Japan for occupation duty following World War II, returning to the United States in September 1946.
Ordered to Oakland, CA, in September 1946, General Joslyn served as Supply and Executive Officer of the Marine Barracks until June 1949, when he reported to Headquarters Marine Corps, Washington, DC, and was assigned to the Personnel Department until January 1952. He was promoted to captain in January 1951.
General Joslyn saw combat action during the Korean Conflict as an infantry company commander and battalion operations officer with the 1st Battalion 1st Marine Regiment Marine Division from April 1952 until March 1953. For his service as Commanding Officer, Company B, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V". He also earned the Purple Heart Medal and the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat "V".
He returned to the United States in March 1953, and served for two years as a recruiting officer in Los Angeles, CA. He was promoted to major in December 1954, and attended the Amphibious Warfare School, Quantico, VA, completing the Junior Course in July 1956.
General Joslyn arrived in Hawaii in July 1956, for duty as Aide-de-Camp to the Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific. In September 1957, he was transferred to Norfolk, VA, serving in the same capacity to the Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic, and later as Assistant Operations Officer, G-3. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel in July 1960, and transferred to Camp Lejeune, NC, to serve with the 2d Marine Division as Assistant Division Plans Officer and Commanding Officer, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment.
General Joslyn was reassigned to the 1st Marine Corps District, Garden City, NY, in May 1962, and served as Assistant Director for Personnel Procurement, until December 1963, when he assumed command of Marine Barracks, Vallejo, CA.
In August 1965, General Joslyn received orders to the Republic of Vietnam and served as Assistant G-3, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, receiving a gold star in lieu of his second Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V". Following his promotion to colonel in June 1966, he returned to the United States and became the Marine Corps Advisor to the Commandant, Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL. He remained there until June 1969, when he was transferred to San Diego, CA, for duty as Commanding Officer, Recruit Training Regiment. He was awarded the Legion of Merit during this assignment.
General Joslyn was reassigned as Chief of Staff, 3d Marine Division, on Okinawa, in July 1970, and in December of that year assumed the responsibilities of Chief of Staff, III Marine Amphibious Force, in Vietnam. He was awarded a gold star in lieu of a second Legion of Merit during this tour.
General Joslyn was promoted to brigadier general February 1, 1971, and returned to the United States the following July. He arrived at Headquarters Marine Corps and served as Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3, and later as Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3, until April 1973, when he became Commanding General, Force Troops, Pacific, Twentynine Palms, CA. He was assigned as Commanding General, 2d Marine Division Camp Lejeune, NC, following his advancement to major general on May 10, 1974. Upon his retirement on July 1, 1976, he was awarded a gold star in lieu of a third Legion of Merit.
In addition to the Legion of Merit with two gold stars, the Bronze Star Medal with one gold star, and the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat "V", his awards and decorations include: the Air Force Commendation Medal; the Purple Heart Medal, the Presidential Unit Citation; the Navy Unit Commendation; the Air Force Outstanding Unit Commendation Medal; the Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal; the American Campaign Medal; the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal; the World War II Victory Medal; the Navy Occupation Service Medal; the National Defense Service Medal with one bronze star; the Korean Service Medal with three bronze stars; the Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze stars; the National Order of Vietnam, 5th Class; the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with palm; the Korean Presidential Unit Citation; the United Nations Service Medal; and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
General Joslyn served as an instructor at The Basic School, Quantico, VA, for one year prior to becoming a platoon commander with the 2d Marine Division in the Pacific. He was promoted to first lieutenant in June 1945, and accompanied the Division to Japan for occupation duty following World War II, returning to the United States in September 1946.
Ordered to Oakland, CA, in September 1946, General Joslyn served as Supply and Executive Officer of the Marine Barracks until June 1949, when he reported to Headquarters Marine Corps, Washington, DC, and was assigned to the Personnel Department until January 1952. He was promoted to captain in January 1951.
General Joslyn saw combat action during the Korean Conflict as an infantry company commander and battalion operations officer with the 1st Battalion 1st Marine Regiment Marine Division from April 1952 until March 1953. For his service as Commanding Officer, Company B, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V". He also earned the Purple Heart Medal and the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat "V".
He returned to the United States in March 1953, and served for two years as a recruiting officer in Los Angeles, CA. He was promoted to major in December 1954, and attended the Amphibious Warfare School, Quantico, VA, completing the Junior Course in July 1956.
General Joslyn arrived in Hawaii in July 1956, for duty as Aide-de-Camp to the Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific. In September 1957, he was transferred to Norfolk, VA, serving in the same capacity to the Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic, and later as Assistant Operations Officer, G-3. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel in July 1960, and transferred to Camp Lejeune, NC, to serve with the 2d Marine Division as Assistant Division Plans Officer and Commanding Officer, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment.
General Joslyn was reassigned to the 1st Marine Corps District, Garden City, NY, in May 1962, and served as Assistant Director for Personnel Procurement, until December 1963, when he assumed command of Marine Barracks, Vallejo, CA.
In August 1965, General Joslyn received orders to the Republic of Vietnam and served as Assistant G-3, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, receiving a gold star in lieu of his second Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V". Following his promotion to colonel in June 1966, he returned to the United States and became the Marine Corps Advisor to the Commandant, Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL. He remained there until June 1969, when he was transferred to San Diego, CA, for duty as Commanding Officer, Recruit Training Regiment. He was awarded the Legion of Merit during this assignment.
General Joslyn was reassigned as Chief of Staff, 3d Marine Division, on Okinawa, in July 1970, and in December of that year assumed the responsibilities of Chief of Staff, III Marine Amphibious Force, in Vietnam. He was awarded a gold star in lieu of a second Legion of Merit during this tour.
General Joslyn was promoted to brigadier general February 1, 1971, and returned to the United States the following July. He arrived at Headquarters Marine Corps and served as Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3, and later as Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3, until April 1973, when he became Commanding General, Force Troops, Pacific, Twentynine Palms, CA. He was assigned as Commanding General, 2d Marine Division Camp Lejeune, NC, following his advancement to major general on May 10, 1974. Upon his retirement on July 1, 1976, he was awarded a gold star in lieu of a third Legion of Merit.
In addition to the Legion of Merit with two gold stars, the Bronze Star Medal with one gold star, and the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat "V", his awards and decorations include: the Air Force Commendation Medal; the Purple Heart Medal, the Presidential Unit Citation; the Navy Unit Commendation; the Air Force Outstanding Unit Commendation Medal; the Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal; the American Campaign Medal; the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal; the World War II Victory Medal; the Navy Occupation Service Medal; the National Defense Service Medal with one bronze star; the Korean Service Medal with three bronze stars; the Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze stars; the National Order of Vietnam, 5th Class; the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with palm; the Korean Presidential Unit Citation; the United Nations Service Medal; and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
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