William C. Chip
William Charles Chip | |
---|---|
United States of America | |
Service/ | United States Marine Corps |
Years of service | 1942-1972 |
Rank | Major general |
Service number | 0-10939 |
Commands held | Quartermaster General of the USMC 9th Amphibious Brigade 1st Battalion, 1st Marines 1st Reconnaissance Battalion |
Battles/wars | World War II |
Awards | Navy Commendation Medal |
Relations | George Chip (father) |
William Charles Chip (July 25, 1919 – June 16, 1992) was a decorated officer in the United States Marine Corps with the rank of major general. A veteran of three wars, Chip distinguished himself as battalion executive officer in Korea and later as commanding general, Task Force Hotel during Vietnam War.[1][2][3]
His tour in Southeast Asia ended prematurely, when his helicopter crashed shortly after takeoff. Following his recovery, Chip served as Quartermaster General of the Marine Corps between August 1971 – July 1972. He was the son of the World Middleweight Champion, George Chip.[2]
Early career and World War II
William C. Chip was born on July 25, 1919, in New Castle, Pennsylvania, as the son of the World Middleweight Champion (1913–14), George Chip and his wife Katharine. Young William graduated from the New Castle High School in summer 1937, when he enrolled the Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. Chip remained at Duquesne for one year and a half, before received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland in May 1939.[1][2][3]
While at the academy, Chip was active in the football team and played as quarterback under famous coach Swede Larson in season 1940–1941. He was nicknamed "Bill" by classmates. His class graduated prematurely due to course of War and Chip was commissioned second lieutenant in the Marine Corps on June 19, 1942. He was subsequently ordered to the Marine Corps Schools, Quantico for the Artillery course, which he completed two months later.[2][4][3]
Chip was then ordered to
In May 1944, Chip was assigned to the light cruiser Honolulu as commander of the Marine detachment aboard. The Honolulu then participated in the naval operations and bombardment of Saipan and Guam in the Mariana Islands; Peleliu in the Palaus; and Leyte in the Philippines and Chip returned to the United States in early 1946.[1][3]
Postwar service and Korea
Upon his return stateside, Chip served briefly with the Division of Reserve at the Headquarters Marine Corps in Washington, D.C., before he was transferred to Indianapolis, Indiana for duty as Inspector-Instructor, 16th Reserve Infantry Battalion. He was responsible for the training of Marine Reservists in that area until May 1949, when he returned to Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia for duty as an instructor at the Marine Corps Schools. While at Quantico, Chip also held additional duty as assistant coach of Quantico Marines Devil Dogs football for seasons 1949–1950. While in these capacities, he was promoted to major.[1][2][5][3]
In April 1952, Chip was transferred to
Following his return to the United States, Chip was ordered to the Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, for Junior course, which he completed in June 1954 and was ordered to the Headquarters Marine Corps as head, Individual Training Unit in the Operations Division. While in this capacity, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel in December 1954.[3]
In July 1957, Chip was transferred to Camp Pendleton, where he assumed command of
He was subsequently appointed commanding officer, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, the battalion designated to be the first unit to effect the Unit Transplacement Program between the 1st and
Upon detachment of general Miller in June 1962, Chip entered the Senior Course at the Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, and graduated the following June. He was promoted colonel at his graduation and departed for Washington, D.C., where he joined the office of United States Under Secretary of the Navy. Chip served as aide and special assistant for Marine Corps matters to Undersecretary Paul B. Fay for two years, before he departed for a new assignment in Europe.[1][2][3]
Vietnam War
During the first two years of the United States involvement in Vietnam War, Chip was stationed in
Chip was promoted to
On August 22, 1968, Chip was transferred to South Vietnam and assumed duty as assistant division commander, 3rd Marine Division under Major General
His tour in South Vietnam ended prematurely on September 17, 1968, when his
Following his full recovery in February 1969, Chip was ordered to the Headquarters Marine Corps and assumed duty as Assistant Quartermaster General of the Marine Corps (Facilities and Service) under Major General
Upon promotion of general Robinson to three-star rank and capacity of director of Defense Logistics Agency in July 1971, Chip assumed duty as Quartermaster General of the Marine Corps, becoming 21st Marine general in that capacity. He was promoted to the rank of major general on July 1, 1971. Chip remained in that capacity for another year, when he retired from active duty after 30 years of service. He was decorated with his second Legion of Merit for his service with the Quartermaster's Department.[1][7][3]
Retirement
Following his retirement from the Marine Corps, Chip served as director of the Naval Institute for one year. He then resided in Vero Beach, Florida, where he died on June 16, 1992, aged 72. General Chip was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia, beside his wife Jean Waddington Chip (1920–2014). They had three sons: William W., John D. and George M.[8][2][9]
Decorations
Here is the ribbon bar of Major General Chip:[7]
1st Row |
Combat "V"
| |||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2nd Row |
Combat "V"
|
Combat "V"
|
Navy Unit Commendation | Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
with three 3/16 inch service stars | ||||||||||||
3rd Row |
American Campaign Medal | World War II Victory Medal
|
National Defense Service Medal with one star |
Korean Service Medal with three 3/16 inch service stars | ||||||||||||
4th Row |
Vietnam Service Medal with one 3/16 inch service star |
United Nations Korea Medal
|
Philippine Liberation Medal with one star |
Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation | ||||||||||||
5th Row |
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
|
National Order of Vietnam, 5th Class | Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm
|
Vietnam Campaign Medal |
See also
- 3rd Marine Division
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "William C. Chip Papers – USMC Military History Division". USMC Military History Division. Retrieved 2018-10-07.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Maj. Gen. William C. Chip – Lawrence County Historical Society". Lawrence County Historical Society. Retrieved 2018-10-07.
- ^ "Lucky Bag – USNA Class of 1943, page 174". United States Naval Academy. Retrieved 2018-06-07.
- ^ Quantico Football: 1943 through 1963 (PDF), Quantico Marine Athletes Reunion Group, retrieved July 10, 2010.
- ^ a b "U.S. Marines in Vietnam: The Defining year 1968, pages 409, 450" (PDF). USMC Military History Division. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
- ^ a b c "William C. Chip". The Wall of Valor Project. Sightline Media Group.
- ^ "MG William Charles Chip – Find A Grave Memorial". Find a Grave websites.
- ^ "Chronologies - 1992 – USMC Military History Division". USMC Military History Division. Retrieved 2018-10-07.
- This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps.