William J. Whaling

William John Whaling
Whaling while served with 6th Marine Division
Nickname(s)	"Wild Bill"
Born	(1894-02-26)February 26, 1894 St. Cloud, Minnesota
Died	November 20, 1989(1989-11-20) (aged 95) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Place of Burial	Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Marine Corps
Years of service	1917–1954
Rank	Major General
Service number	0-1049
Commands held	MCRD San Diego ADC of 1st Marine Division 1st Marine Regiment 29th Marine Regiment
Battles/wars	World War I Battle of Belleau Wood Battle of Saint-Mihiel Meuse-Argonne Offensive Nicaraguan Campaign World War II Battle of Guadalcanal Battle of Matanikau Battle of Cape Gloucester Battle of Okinawa Korean War Battle of the Punchbowl
Awards	Navy Cross Silver Star Legion of Merit (2) Bronze Star Medal Purple Heart (2)

William John Whaling (February 26, 1894 – November 1989) was a highly decorated major general of the United States Marine Corps and an expert in jungle warfare during the Pacific War. He also competed as a sport shooter in the 1924 Summer Olympics, where he finished in 12th place in the 25 m rapid fire pistol competition.^[1]

Early years

Whaling was born in St. Cloud, Minnesota, and enlisted in the Marine Corps in May 1917. He served as non-commissioned officer during the Battle of Belleau Wood, where he was wounded by the effects of the combat gas. Whaling was later commissioned second lieutenant in August 1918 and assigned to the staff of the 6th Marine Regiment. He distinguished himself during the Battle of Saint-Mihiel in September 1918 and was decorated with the Silver Star for gallantry in action.^[2]

World War II

At the time of Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Whaling was serving in the Marine Barracks there. He was transferred back to the 5th Marine Regiment, where he commanded the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, at the end of December 1941. Whaling was appointed executive officer of the 5th Marine Regiment on March 28, 1942.^[3]

During the Guadalcanal Campaign, Whaling was assigned as operations and plans officer to the staff of the 1st Marine Division under the command of Major General Alexander Vandegrift in September 1942. General Vandergrift was an admirer of Lieutenant Colonel Robert Rogers, who had organized and trained raider units skilled in close combat and reconnaissance behind enemy lines during the French and Indian War.^[4] Thus he tasked Whaling with the organization of scout-sniper detachment and training of specially selected groups trained in scouting stalking and ambush tactics. Whaling developed his ideas for reconnaissance units and created the basics for Marine Scout and sniper Company and for Marine Recon itself.^[4]

Lt. Colonel "Wild Bill" Whaling (sitting on ground) overlooking map of Guadalcanal with accompanying officers.

While served at Guadalcanal, he was wounded by enemy fire and remained in hospital until February 1943. For his merits in developing of the recon units of the 1st Marine Division, Whaling was promoted to the rank of colonel and awarded the Legion of Merit.^[2] He also received the Navy Presidential Unit Citation. Whaling was subsequently transferred to take command of the 1st Marine Regiment, where he succeeded Colonel Clifton B. Cates. He later took part in the Battle of Cape Gloucester, where he distinguished himself again and was decorated with a second Legion of Merit with Combat "V".^[2]

Whaling was relieved by Colonel Chesty Puller on 28 February 1944 and sent back to the United States. After his arrival, he was assigned to the Headquarters Marine Corps in Washington, D.C., until he was transferred to Camp Pendleton, California, where he took command of the 2nd Training Regiment. Whaling remained in San Diego until the spring of 1945, when he was sent overseas again.

He served in the 6th Marine Division, which was fighting at Okinawa under the command of Major General Lemuel C. Shepherd Jr.. Whaling was ordered to relieve the commanding officer of the 29th Marine Regiment, Colonel Victor Bleasdale, who was struggling with the enemy. He took command of the 29th Marines on April 15, 1945, and distinguished himself in the Battle for Sugar Loaf Hill, for which Colonel Whaling was awarded the Navy Cross.

Later career

Whaling remained in command of the 29th Marine Regiment after the surrender of Japan and participated in the occupation duties in Tsingtao, China, during the outbreak of the Chinese Civil War. After the disbandment of the 6th Marine Division and its units in April 1946, he returned to the United States. For his service in China, Whaling was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Chinese Order of the Cloud and Banner, 4th Class.^[5]

His subsequent assignment was as chief of staff of the Marine Barracks at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, where he served until end of June 1949. Whaling stayed at Camp Lejeune and was promoted to the rank of brigadier general on July 1, 1949, and appointed assistant division commander of the 2nd Marine Division under the command of Major General Thomas E. Watson.^[5]

He was transferred to the 1st Marine Division in May 1951 and served in the same capacity as the deputy of Major General Gerald C. Thomas. Whaling went to Korea and participated in combat until June 1952, when he returned to the United States. After his return, he was temporary assigned commanding general of the Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego in April 1952, succeeding Major General William T. Clement.^[5]

Whaling remained as commanding general until September 1952, when he was relieved by Major General John T. Walker and appointed deputy commanding general of this depot. He remained in this capacity until 1 July 1954, when he finally retired from the Marine Corps. Following his retirement, Whaling was advanced to the rank of major general on the retired list for having been specially commended in combat.^[5]

Whaling died on November 20, 1989, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia.^[6]

Decorations

1st Row	Navy Cross						Silver Star				Legion of Merit with one ​5⁄16" gold star and Combat "V"
2nd Row	Bronze Star Medal				Purple Heart with one ​5⁄16" gold star				Navy Presidential Unit Citation with two stars				Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal
3rd Row	World War I Victory Medal with five battle clasps				Army of Occupation of Germany Medal				Second Nicaraguan Campaign Medal				Yangtze Service Medal
4th Row	American Defense Service Medal with Base Clasp				American Campaign Medal				Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with five 3/16 inch service stars				World War II Victory Medal
5th Row	China Service Medal				National Defense Service Medal				Korean Service Medal with one 3/16 inch service star				Haitian National Order of Honour and Merit
6th Row	Haitian Médaille militaire with Diploma				Order of the Cloud and Banner, 4th Class (Republic of China)				Korean Presidential Unit Citation				United Nations Korea Medal

References