Brigadier General Clair W. Shisler, USMC
was an incredible American, Marine and Hero. I hope everyone enjoys reading about his story. It has been a very rewarding research project!  Brigadier General Clair W. Shisler first enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1931. His enlisted career was not all that remarkable other than the fact that his first assignment was as the orderly for the CO of the recruit depot, Captain William J Mosher, a hard-charger from the "Old Corps" who had had service in China, Haiti, Nicaragua and received 2 Silver Stars, a CdG and a Purple Heart in the first war. Shisler spent the next six years as an instructor with the Marine Corps Institute.

In 1937 he was selected and commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant and following the Basic School joined the Marine Detachment on the USS Honolulu. A year of sea duty was followed by his first infantry assignment as the Platoon Commander, Machine Gun Plt, 2/5. With war on the horizon, he was assigned to HQ/2/7.

When war was declared in December, 1941 he was immediately assigned to Marine Amphibious Corps Atlantic Fleet under General H.M Smith - a position that he would hold for the next two years, quickly progressing through the ranks from 1st Lt to Major and progressing from an adjutant to the Assistant Chief of Staff of VAC. As part of Smith's Command group he saw combat at Kiska and Tarawa and was awarded the Commendation Ribbon for his staff work.

He received his first field command when he was made the Battalion CO of 3/22 in December, 1943 and shortly thereafter led his new battalion in combat at Eniwetok. He was recommended for but initially refused his first Silver Star Medal, citing that he would only accept his medal once the Marines whom he had recommended had received their citations. He did eventually receive his award and his citation reads in part:

"... Aggressively leading his assault companies against strongly fortified enemy positions, Major Shisler constantly exposed himself to enemy machine-gun and mortar fire in directing the hazardous operations, and by his aggressive fighting spirit in destroying the hostile forces, was directly instrumental in capturing Eniwetok Atoll."

He continued to lead his Marines at Guam where he was wounded on July 27th. For his actions at Guam he received the Bronze Star Medal with "V"  His citation reads in part:

"... During the assault and seizure of Crote Peninsula, Lieutenant Colonel Shisler's Battalion advanced across he neck of the peninsula and extended the regimental assault lines to Apra Harbor. Although wounded he continued to direct the advance of his battalion against fanatical enemy resistance and was directly responsible for closing all land avenues of escape to enemy forces."

LTC Shisler just after the end of WWII

Now serving with the newly formed 6th Marine Division, Lt Colonel Shisler led the Marines of 3/22 in the last battle of World War Two, at Okinawa. I have read accounts of the Marines under his command who chastised his persistence to keep pushing forward regardless of casualties and enemy resistance. I can only imagine the difficulty that Shisler must have had in ordering his young Marines to keep pushing the attack uphill under withering fire in the face of a fanatical enemy. His leadership of 3/22 earned him his third award for valor, a second Silver Star Medal  for gallantry in action on 17 June 1945, which reads in part:

"... when his Battalion was assigned the mission of seizing three prominent terrain features, Lieutenant Colonel Shisler courageously led his forces in the face of heavy hostile fire to assault and capture Kunishi Ridge, the first objective. Immediately reorganizing his Battalion, he moved out to seize Mezado Ridge and, when his unit was pinned down and had suffered heavy casualties, fearlessly braved the intense enemy fire to go forward and rally his forces to renew the attack and gain their second objective. Again reorganizing his unit for the assault on Hill Number 69, the third assigned objective, he gallantly led his men in the attack to seize and hold the heavily defended ridge. Displaying determination, fortitude and devotion to duty throughout Lieutenant Colonel Shisler directed his Battalion in breaking the core of Japanese resistance, thereby enabling the Regiment to carry out the remainder of its mission quickly and effectively."

Brig. Gen. Shisler late in life

Following the end of the Okinawa campaign and the end of hostilities, Shisler stayed with the Division on occupation duty in China before joining the Editorial board of the Marine Corps Gazette in 1946. Shisler served in various staff assignments through 1952. A brief tour in Japan and Korea completed Shisler's Marine Corps Service before he retired in July, 1953. Colonel Clair Shisler was advanced to the rank of Brigadier General, on the basis of being commended for valor in combat.