Henry W. Buse Jr.

Henry William Buse Jr. (April 12, 1912 – October 18, 1988) was a

In June 1936, Buse was transferred to Marine Barracks Quantico, Virginia, for duty with the 1st Marine Brigade, Fleet Marine Force and remained there until March 1937. He was subsequently ordered to the Marine barracks within Naval Station Pearl Harbor and promoted to first lieutenant in July 1937.^[2]

World War II

In September 1939, Buse has been sent to the

Buse was promoted to lieutenant colonel in April 1943 and subsequently participated in the Battle of Cape Gloucester in December 1943. During the same battle, in January 1944, he took temporary command of the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines. The 3rd Battalion was trying to capture heavily fortified Hill 660, but its advance was halted by the enemy machine gun fire. Buse assumed command of the battalion on January 8, 1944, and led his unit to the victory, capturing the strategic objectives of the operation with a minimum of casualties on his side. For his excellent leadership and gallantry in action, he was decorated with the Silver Star.^[3]

Buse remained with the 3rd Battalion until February 20, when he was transferred to the

Buse was succeeded by Colonel William S. Fellers and after two months of service with the 5th Marine Regiment, he was ordered back to the United States in July 1944. He was transferred to Washington, D.C., and assigned to Headquarters Marine Corps, where he was appointed executive officer of the Plans and Operations Section.

Later career

In July 1946, Buse was ordered to Japan to serve as regimental combat team instructor within Troop Training Unit, Amphibious Training Command. He subsequently participated in the amphibious training of

This duty ended at the beginning of May 1963, when Buse was ordered back to Washington, D.C., where he was appointed deputy chief of staff for plans and programs in the office of the Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Wallace M. Greene. This post was upgraded by President Lyndon B. Johnson and Buse was promoted to the rank of lieutenant general on December 29, 1964. He later received his second Legion of Merit.^[3]

At the beginning of July 1967, Buse was appointed chief of staff, Headquarters Marine Corps. However this assignment lasted until May 31, 1968, when he received the Navy Distinguished Service Medal for his service in this capacity and was transferred to Hawaii.

There he was appointed Commanding General

Buse was relieved by General William K. Jones on July 1, 1970, and subsequently retired from the military service. He distinguished himself in his last assignment and received his second Navy Distinguished Service Medal.^[3]

Retirement

Following his retirement from the Marine Corps, Buse served on the

Henry W. Buse died on October 18, 1988, at his home in Severna Park, Maryland. He is buried at United States Naval Academy Cemetery together with his wife, Dorothy Snow Buse. They had a daughter, Barbara, and a son, Henry W. Buse III, who also served in the Marine Corps and retired as a colonel.^[1]

Decorations

Here is the ribbon bar of Lieutenant General Henry William Buse, Jr.:^[3]

References