August Larson

August Larson was born on July 2, 1904, in Sherburn, Minnesota, and attended high school there. Following graduation in 1922, he enrolled at the University of Minnesota, where he studied for three years. Larson left college and enlisted in the Marine Corps on January 13, 1928. He served three years as enlisted rank and reached the rank of NCO. Larson was attached to the NCO meritorious program and also received the Good Conduct Medal for his "exemplary behavior and efficiency".^[1]

Upon receiving his commission of second lieutenant on February 26, 1931, Larson was sent to the Basic School at Philadelphia Navy Yard for his officer training. After one year of studies, he was attached to the 4th Marine Regiment under Colonel Emile P. Moses and sailed for China in December 1932. Larson took part in the guard duties at Shanghai International Settlement and later attended the Russian language course there.

In September 1934, he was attached to the Marine detachment aboard the cruiser USS Augusta under then-Captain Chester W. Nimitz and took part in cruises to the Dutch East Indies and Australia. Larson returned to the United States in November 1935, and after a brief leave he was ordered to the Marine Base Quantico, Virginia, where he took part in the training of the Marine detachment for President's Roosevelt residence at Warm Springs, Georgia.

In May 1936 he was assigned to the Junior Course at Marine Corps Schools Quantico. Following his graduation, he was attached to the 5th Marine Regiment under Colonel Samuel M. Harrington. During his time at Quantico, Larson was a member of the Marine Corps Rifle and Pistol Team and later coached the team in 1938 and 1939. He was ordered to the course at Ordnance Field Service School at Raritan Arsenal in Metuchen, New Jersey, during September 1939 and graduated in December of that year.^[1]

Following Christmas in 1939, Larson joined the Sea School Detachment at Norfolk Navy Yard and then assumed command of the Marine detachment aboard the aircraft carrier USS Wasp under Captain John W. Reeves. While aboard this ship, he took part in the maneuvers off the coast of Guantánamo Bay and Culebra, Puerto Rico.

Larson was succeeded by his deputy, first lieutenant Ronald R. Van Stockum, and ordered back to Quantico in February 1942 and assigned to the staff Commandant of Marine Corps Schools, Brigadier General Samuel M. Harrington. He served under his old superior until March 1944 and took part in the training of new marine officers. During his time there, he reached the rank of lieutenant colonel and also attended Command and Staff course. This non-combat job did not satisfy him and requested combat duty, which was granted.^[1]

He was ordered to the Pacific area at the beginning of April 1944 and was attached to 1st Provisional Marine Brigade at Guadalcanal, which had just been activated under the command of Brigadier General Lemuel C. Shepherd. Larson was appointed assistant chief of staff for supply and took part in the Amphibious landing on Guam in July 1944, during which his brigade assisted in mop-up operations for a month. He distinguished himself in this capacity and received the Legion of Merit with Combat "V" for his service on Guam.^[1][2][3]

After the 1st Marine Brigade was reorganized as 6th Marine Division in September 1944, Larson remained in the same capacity with the unit. The 6th Division underwent "rugged" training on Guadalcanal between October 1944 and January 1945 and was attached to the III Marine Amphibious Corps for the Battle of Okinawa.^[4]

Larson landed on Okinawa at the beginning of April 1945 and distinguished himself again in coordinating the supply of material and ammunition to the front line units. He received the Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V" for his efforts.^[1]

Tough Japanese resistance halted the advance of 22nd Marine Regiment. Division Commander General Shepherd was not satisfied with the progress of the regiment and relieved regimental commander, Colonel Merlin F. Schneider and his executive officer, Lieutenant Colonel Karl K. Louther. Shepherd appointed highly decorated Colonel Harold C. Roberts as new regimental commander and Larson as his executive officer on May 17, 1945.^[5][6]

The 22nd Regiment fought its way up Sugar Loaf Hill, which was an elevated position dominating the battlefield. Colonel Roberts was killed by a Japanese sniper on June 18 and Larson assumed the command of the regiment as senior officer present. He personally conducted several reconnaissance mission in the front line positions and was slightly wounded. He helped to reorganize a badly-depleted battalion of the regiment. Okinawa was declared secured few days later, on June 22.^[1][6][3]

For his gallantry in action, Larson was decorated with the Silver Star, the third-highest personal decoration for valor in combat. he also received the Purple Heart for his wounds.^[1]