William J. Van Ryzin

William John Van Ryzin
William John Van Ryzin
	2nd Marine Division; 18th Defense Battalion
Battles/wars	Yangtze Patrol; World War II; Battle of Tinian; Vietnam War Tet Offensive;
Awards	Distinguished Service Medal (2); Legion of Merit (2); Bronze Star Medal; Joint Service Commendation Medal

William John Van Ryzin (April 20, 1914 – July 1, 2002) was a highly decorated officer of the United States Marine Corps with the rank of lieutenant general. He is most noted as Chief of Staff, Headquarters Marine Corps during the Vietnam War.

Early career

Van Ryzin was born in

Bachelor degree

in June 1935. During his university years, he gained his first experiences with the military as a member of ROTC unit. Upon his graduation, Van Ryzin entered the Marine Corps service and was commissioned second lieutenant on July 8, 1935.

He was subsequently sent to

Raymond L. Murray, Carey A. Randall) and six brigadier generals (William W. Buchanan, Odell M. Conoley, Frederick P. Henderson, Roy L. Kline, John C. Miller Jr., Thomas F. Riley).^[2]

Van Ryzin was subsequently sent to

Beiping

. He spent almost next three years with guard duties and was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant in August 1938.

In February 1939, Van Ryzin returned to the United States and was posted to the garrison at

Marine Corps Base at San Diego, California. While in San Diego, he was assigned to the 1st Defense Battalion, which was activated there at the beginning of November 1939 under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Bertram A. Bone. For this assignment, Van Ryzin was ordered for the antiaircraft artillery course at Coast Artillery School at Fort Monroe, Virginia

in August 1940.

He finished the course in December of that year and following a short

Combat "V"

for meritorious service in this capacity. Meanwhile, he was promoted to the rank of major in May 1942.

Van Ryzin was transferred back to Pearl Harbor and assigned to the staff of Marine Garrison Forces, 14th Naval District under Major General Harry K. Pickett. His new command was responsible for all Marine barracks and detachments securing Pacific naval bases, stations, and installations.^[3]

His next orders brought him to

Marianas Islands Campaign

.

Lieutenant Colonel Van Ryzin was transferred to

3rd Marine Division under Major General William E. Riley

.

During this time, his division was stationed on Guam and trained for the upcoming Operation Downfall, Allied invasion to Japan. But following the Surrender of Japan in September 1945, 3rd Division received deactivation orders.

Later career

Following World War II, he participated in the occupation of North China. Afterward, he served in a variety of staff assignments, including several billets at

III Marine Amphibious Force. He retired from active duty with the Marine Corps in 1971.^[1]^[4]

Retirement

Following retirement, he was involved in various professional and charitable activities in

Entler Hotel. For his volunteer work with the Jefferson County United Way, he was awarded the Tocqueville Award.^[1]

Van Ryzin married twice and had two children, one of whom became a

Forty and Eight, and was a member of the Trinity Episcopal Church. Van Ryzin died on July 1, 2002, in Washington, D.C.

Decorations

Here is the ribbon bar of Lieutenant General William J. Van Ryzin:

1st Row	Navy Distinguished Service Medal with one 5⁄16" Gold Star		Combat "V" and one 5⁄16" Gold Star
2nd Row	Combat "V"	Joint Service Commendation Medal	China Service Medal with one star	American Defense Service Medal with Fleet Clasp
3rd Row	American Campaign Medal	Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with one 3/16 inch service star	World War II Victory Medal	National Defense Service Medal with one star
4th Row	Vietnam Service Medal with two 3/16 inch service stars	National Order of Vietnam, Grade Knight	Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm	Vietnam Campaign Medal

Military offices
Preceded by Henry W. Buse Jr.	Chief of Staff, Headquarters Marine Corps May 1, 1971 - July 31, 1972	Succeeded by John R. Chaisson
Preceded by Rathvon M. Tompkins	Commanding General of the 2nd Marine Division September 27, 1963 - April 11, 1965	Succeeded by Ormond R. Simpson

References

^ ^a ^b ^c "Lt General USMC William Van Ryzin's Dog Tag Returned to Son, Retired Col Peter Van Ryzin". Vietnam Dog Tag Project. Retrieved 2012-01-03.
^ "Fortitudine 5, Part 1 – The Basic School, Class 1935" (PDF). marines.mil. Marines Websites. Retrieved July 1, 2017.
ISBN 0313319065
. Retrieved October 14, 2017.

^ Aquilina, Robert V. (2003). "LtGen William J.Van Ryzin Passes" (PDF). Fortitudine. XXIX (4). Marine Corps Historical Center. Retrieved 10 March 2015.

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=William_J._Van_Ryzin&oldid=1169573498"

[Ryzin-1] "Lt General USMC William Van Ryzin's Dog Tag Returned to Son, Retired Col Peter Van Ryzin". Vietnam Dog Tag Project. Retrieved 2012-01-03.

[Fortitudine_5,_Part_1-2] "Fortitudine 5, Part 1 – The Basic School, Class 1935" (PDF). marines.mil. Marines Websites. Retrieved July 1, 2017.

[U.S._Marine_Corps_World_War_II_Order_of_Battle-3] ISBN 0313319065
. Retrieved October 14, 2017.

[Obit-4] Aquilina, Robert V. (2003). "LtGen William J.Van Ryzin Passes" (PDF). Fortitudine. XXIX (4). Marine Corps Historical Center. Retrieved 10 March 2015.

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