William W. Stickney (USMC)
William Wallace Stickney | |
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Marine Corps Reserve 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines | |
| Battles/wars | World War I World War II
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| Awards | Legion of Merit with Combat "V" |
| Other work | Lawyer |
William Wallace Stickney (May 16, 1899 – March 1, 1980) was an American
Early life
William Wallace Stickney was born on May 16, 1899, as the son of Henry Elmer Stickney. He attended Colby Academy in New London, New Hampshire, until November 1917, when he enlisted in the United States Navy as Seaman Second Class. Stickney served aboard submarine chasers and destroyers and took part in the several naval campaigns. He was decorated with Navy Good Conduct Medal for his enlisted service and discharged from the navy on June 24, 1919. Stickney then completed his education at Vermont Academy in Saxtons River, Vermont, graduating in summer 1922.[1]
Stickney then attended Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire, with graduation in 1926 and subsequently studied law at National University in Washington, D.C, where received Bachelor of Laws degree.[1][2]
He then pursued a career in the legal branch and worked as an assistant clerk of the
Between years 1931 and 1935, Stickney was trial attorney and litigation counsel for the National Recovery Administration and then practiced private law office until 1940.[1][2]
Like many veterans of World War I, Stickney entered the Marine Corps Reserve and was commissioned second lieutenant on June 5, 1930. He was attached to the 5th Marine Reserve Battalion in Washington, D.C., and during next years, took part in many exercises with his unit. Stickney was promoted to the rank of captain in July 1935 and later took part in the 1938 Caribbean Maneuvers with 1st Marine Brigade under the command of Brigadier General Richard P. Williams. Stickney was later promoted to the rank of major in July 1939 and appointed executive officer of 5th Reserve Battalion.[1][2]
World War II
With the worsening situation in the world, Stickney was recalled to active duty in November 1940 and ordered for additional training with his battalion to the Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia.[1]
His unit subsequently sailed with 1st Marine Brigade for
Following the Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor, Stickney was appointed Operations Officer of 1st Marine Regiment under Colonel James F. Moriarty in February 1942 and finally embarked for Pacific area in June of that year. After a brief period on New Zealand, Stickney landed with his regiment on Guadalcanal during the beginning of August 1942.[3]
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He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel in September of that year and succeeded
After eight months of rest and refit in Melbourne, Stickney was appointed 1st Marine Division Law Officer in August 1943. He took part in the small unit training on Goodenough Island, New Guinea at the beginning of October 1943. Stickney took part in the Battle of Cape Gloucester in December 1943 and January 1944 and retook command of 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines in April of that year.[5][6]
He led his battalion to
Later career
Stickney was ordered back to the Pacific area in July 1945 and appointed Special Service Officer on the staff of
He was released to inactive duty in May 1946 and assumed duties as Principal Attorney for the Division of Corporation Finance of the
Major General Stickney retired from the Marine Corps on January 1, 1960, after almost 32 years of active and reserve service. He settled in Bethesda, Maryland, where he died on heart failure on March 1, 1980. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia, together with his wife, Emma Lange Stickney.[8][2]
Decorations
This is the ribbon bar of Major General William W. Stickney:[4]
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| 1st Row | Combat "V"
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| 2nd Row | Navy Presidential Unit Citation with two stars
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Navy Good Conduct Medal | Reserve Good Conduct Medal with four stars | World War I Victory Medal with four battle clasps | ||||||||||||
| 3rd Row | American Defense Service Medal with Base Clasp | American Campaign Medal | Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with four 3⁄16" service stars
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World War II Victory Medal
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| 4th Row | Navy Occupation Service Medal | National Defense Service Medal | Armed Forces Reserve Medal | Marine Corps Reserve Ribbon | ||||||||||||
See also
- Guadalcanal Campaign
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "William W. Stickney Papers – USMC Military History Division". USMC Military History Division. Retrieved 2018-03-25.
- ^ a b c d e f "William W. Stickney Dies". Washington Post. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
- ^ "US Marine Corps in World War II – HyperWar (Guadalcanal)". ibiblio.org. HyperWar Websites. Retrieved 25 March 2018.
- ^ a b "Valor awards for William W. Stickney". valor.militarytimes.com. Militarytimes Websites. Retrieved 25 March 2018.
- ^ a b "A Brief history of the 1st Marines – USMC Military History Division" (PDF). USMC Military History Division. Retrieved 2018-03-25.
- ^ "US Marine Corps in World War II – HyperWar (Cape Gloucester)". ibiblio.org. HyperWar Websites. Retrieved 25 March 2018.
- ^ "Marine Corps Chevron, Volume 3, Number 38, 23 September 1944". historicperiodicals.princeton.edu. Marine Corps Chevron – Princeton University Library. Retrieved 25 March 2018.
- ^ "Burial detail: Stickney, William W". ANC Explorer. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps.
