Lewis Jefferson Fields (October 1, 1909 – March 5, 1988) was a highly decorated officer of the
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps (USMC), also referred to as the United States Marines, is the maritime land force service branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for conducting expeditionary and amphibious operations through combi ...
with the rank of
lieutenant general
Lieutenant general (Lt Gen, LTG and similar) is a three-star military rank (NATO code OF-8) used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages, where the title of lieutenant general was held by the second-in-command on the ...
. He served with
1st Marine Division
The 1st Marine Division (1st MARDIV) is a Marine division of the United States Marine Corps headquartered at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California. It is the ground combat element of the I Marine Expeditionary Force (I MEF).
It is th ...
during
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War (also known by other names) was a conflict in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. It was the second of the Indochina Wars and was officially fought between North Vietnam a ...
and later as commanding general of
United States Marine Corps Development and Education Command.
Early career
Fields was born on October 1, 1909, at
Delmar, Maryland
Delmar is a town in Wicomico County, Maryland, United States. The population was 3,003 at the 2010 census. It is included in the Salisbury, Maryland-Delaware Metropolitan Statistical Area. When the population is added to Delmar, Delaware, the t ...
, and later attended a high school in
Crisfield, Maryland
Crisfield is a city in Somerset County, Maryland, United States, located on the Tangier Sound, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. The population was 2,515 at the 2020 census. It is included in the Salisbury, Maryland-Delaware Metropolitan Statist ...
, in 1927. He subsequently enrolled at
St. John's College at
Annapolis, Maryland, and graduated with
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of arts (BA or AB; from the Latin ', ', or ') is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate program in the arts, or, in some cases, other disciplines. A Bachelor of Arts degree course is generally completed in three or four year ...
degree in Mathematics on June 3, 1931. During his junior high school years, Fields entered the
Maryland National Guard
The Maryland Military Department (MMD) is a department of the State of Maryland directed by the adjutant general of Maryland.
The Maryland Military Department consists of the:
*State Operations section, which manages fiscal and administrative du ...
and served continuously with that organization until January 1932. He struggled to find a job during the
Great Depression, but decided to enlist in the Marine Corps in January 1932, hoping to obtain a
commission.
Fields attended his basic training and subsequently rose to the rank of
sergeant. He then served as
drill instructor
A drill instructor is a non-commissioned officer in the armed forces, fire department, or police forces with specific duties that vary by country. Foot drill, military step, and marching are typically taught by drill instructors.
Australia
Austr ...
and as a member of the Marine detachment aboard the aircraft carrier . He continuously displayed exemplary behavior and efficiency and was decorated with
Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal
The Good Conduct Medal is one of the oldest military awards of the United States Armed Forces. The U.S. Navy's variant of the Good Conduct Medal was established in 1869, the Marine Corps version in 1896, the Coast Guard version in 1923, the Army ...
. Moreover, Fields was selected for the Meritorious Non-Commissioned Officers Program and promoted to the rank of second lieutenant on June 25, 1935.
As any other newly commissioned officer of the Marines, he was sent to
the Basic School
The Basic School (TBS) is where all newly commissioned and appointed (for warrant officers) United States Marine Corps officers are taught the basics of being an "Officer of Marines". The Basic School is located at Camp Barrett, Quantico, Vi ...
at
Philadelphia Navy Yard
The Philadelphia Naval Shipyard was an important naval shipyard of the United States for almost two centuries.
Philadelphia's original navy yard, begun in 1776 on Front Street and Federal Street in what is now the Pennsport section of the ci ...
for officer training. Fields completed the school in October 1935 in the same class as two future
Commandants of the Marine Corps:
Leonard F. Chapman Jr. and
Robert E. Cushman. With 124 students, it was the largest Basic School class to that date. This class provided two future
Marine Corps Commandants (
Leonard F. Chapman Jr. and
Robert E. Cushman Jr.
Robert Everton Cushman Jr. (December 24, 1914 – January 2, 1985) was a United States Marine Corps General (United States), four-star general who served as the 25th commandant of the Marine Corps from January 1, 1972, to June 30, 1975. He was hon ...
), five lieutenant generals (Fields,
Frederick E. Leek,
Herman Nickerson Jr.,
William J. Van Ryzin
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 (United States), lieutenant general. He is most noted as Headquarters Marine Corps, Chie ...
,
Richard G. Weede), five major generals (
William R. Collins,
William T. Fairbourn,
Bruno Hochmuth
Bruno Arthur Hochmuth (May 10, 1911 – November 14, 1967) was a United States Marine Corps major general who was killed in South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. He was the first and only Marine Corps division commander to be killed in any ...
,
Raymond L. Murray,
Carey A. Randall) and six brigadier generals (
William W. Buchanan,
Odell M. Conoley
Odell Maurice Conoley (November 9, 1913September 1, 1993) was a highly decorated officer of the United States Marine Corps with the rank of Brigadier general (United States), brigadier general, who is most noted for his service with 2nd Battalion ...
,
Frederick P. Henderson,
Roy L. Kline,
John C. Miller Jr.,
Thomas F. Riley
Thomas Felton Riley (July 6, 1912 – February 19, 1998) was a decorated officer of the United States Marine Corps with the rank of brigadier general. He is most noted for his service during the Guadalcanal Campaign as the commanding officer of ...
).
He was subsequently assigned to the Sea School Detachment at
Portsmouth Navy Yard
The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, often called the Portsmouth Navy Yard, is a United States Navy shipyard in Kittery on the southern boundary of Maine near the city of Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
Founded in 1800, PNS is U.S. Navy's oldest continuo ...
,
Virginia
Virginia, officially the Commonwealth of Virginia, is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions of the United States, between the Atlantic Coast and the Appalachian Mountains. The geography and climate of the Commonwealth ar ...
and remained in that assignment until June 1936. Fields was subsequently attached to the Marine detachment aboard the newly commissioned cruiser and took part in the evacuation of the United States nationalists during the
Spanish Civil War
The Spanish Civil War ( es, Guerra Civil Española)) or The Revolution ( es, La Revolución, link=no) among Nationalists, the Fourth Carlist War ( es, Cuarta Guerra Carlista, link=no) among Carlists, and The Rebellion ( es, La Rebelión, link ...
.
In July 1937, Fields was sent to the Base Defense Weapons Course at the
Marine Corps Schools Quantico, Virginia, and upon graduation and promotion to first lieutenant in July 1938, he was appointed
aide de camp to the commanding general,
Fleet Marine Force
The United States Fleet Marine Forces (FMF) are combined general- and special-purpose forces within the United States Department of the Navy that perform offensive amphibious or expeditionary warfare and defensive maritime employment. The Flee ...
,
Richard P. Williams. He served in this capacity until November 1941, when he was promoted to the rank of captain and sent to the Battery Commander course at
Field Artillery School
The United States Army Field Artillery School (USAFAS) trains Field Artillery Soldiers and Marines in tactics, techniques, and procedures for the employment of fire support systems in support of the maneuver commander. The school further develop ...
at
Fort Sill,
Oklahoma.
World War II
Upon the completing the course in March 1942, Fields was transferred to the
3rd Battalion, 11th Marine Artillery Regiment at
Camp Lejeune
Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune () is a United States military training facility in Jacksonville, North Carolina. Its of beaches make the base a major area for amphibious assault training, and its location between two deep-water ports ( Wilming ...
,
North Carolina
North Carolina () is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States. The state is the 28th largest and 9th-most populous of the United States. It is bordered by Virginia to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, Georgia and ...
. He was appointed battalion
executive officer under Lieutenant Colonel
James J. Keating and received promotion to major in May 1942. His battalion sailed within
1st Marine Division
The 1st Marine Division (1st MARDIV) is a Marine division of the United States Marine Corps headquartered at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California. It is the ground combat element of the I Marine Expeditionary Force (I MEF).
It is th ...
to the
South Pacific area
The South Pacific Area (SOPAC) was a multinational U.S.-led military command active during World War II. It was a part of the U.S. Pacific Ocean Areas under Admiral Chester Nimitz.
The delineation and establishment of the Pacific Ocean Areas was ...
and arrived to
New Zealand
New Zealand ( mi, Aotearoa ) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and over 700 smaller islands. It is the sixth-largest island count ...
at the end of June 1942.
Fields and his battalion were ordered to Guadalcanal at the beginning of August 1942 and took part in the heavy fighting with tenacious Japanese forces. His battalion of
105mm howitzers was tasked with the Fire support of advancing 1st Marine Division units. Fields also participated in the famous
Battle of Edson's Ridge
The Battle of Edson's Ridge, also known as the Battle of the Bloody Ridge, Battle of Raiders Ridge, and Battle of the Ridge, was a land battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II between Imperial Japanese Army and Allied (mainly United S ...
in September 1942, and his artillery provided support for
Marine Raiders.
Following the
Guadalcanal Campaign, Fields was appointed commanding officer of the
1st Battalion, 11th Marines
1st Battalion 11th Marines (1/11) is an artillery battalion comprising four firing batteries and a Headquarters battery. The battalion is stationed at the Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in California. Its primary weapon system is the M777 light ...
. His new command was already in
Melbourne
Melbourne ( ; Boonwurrung/Woiwurrung: ''Narrm'' or ''Naarm'') is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Victoria, and the second-most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Its name generally refers to a met ...
,
Australia for rest and refit after heavy casualties. While in Australia, Fields was promoted to the rank of
lieutenant colonel in May 1943. The 11th Marines were sent to
Cape Sudest Cape Sudest is a cape in Papua New Guinea, next to Oro Bay. There was an important U.S military base there in World War II. It was situated in Oro Province
Oro Province, formerly (and officially still) Northern Province, is a coastal province of P ...
at
New Guinea
New Guinea (; Hiri Motu: ''Niu Gini''; id, Papua, or , historically ) is the world's second-largest island with an area of . Located in Oceania in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, the island is separated from Australia by the wide Torr ...
in September 1943 in order to prepare for upcoming
Battle of Cape Gloucester
The Battle of Cape Gloucester was fought in the Pacific theater of World War II between Japanese and Allied forces on the island of New Britain, Territory of New Guinea, between 26 December 1943 and 16 January 1944. Codenamed Operation Backhan ...
at
New Britain. The Gloucester operation was launched at the end of December 1943, and Fields went ashore with his battalion. He subsequently coordinated the support artillery fire during the attack on Aogiri Ridge and later during Natamo Point operation in late January 1944, while provided artillery support for the 5th Marines, which was trying to cut off Japanese withdrawal routes. Fields was decorated with the
Bronze Star Medal with
Combat "V"
Combat ( French for ''fight'') is a purposeful violent conflict meant to physically harm or kill the opposition. Combat may be armed (using weapons) or unarmed ( not using weapons). Combat is sometimes resorted to as a method of self-defense, or ...
for his service at Gloucester.
In May 1944, Fields was promoted to the staff of 1st Marine Division under Major General
William H. Rupertus
William Henry Rupertus (November 14, 1889 – March 25, 1945) was a major general in the United States Marine Corps, who commanded the famed 1st Marine Division in the Pacific in World War II and also authored the USMC Rifleman's Creed.
Military ...
and appointed to the capacity of assistant chief of staff for operations. He took part in the planning and coordination of
Peleliu
Peleliu (or Beliliou) is an island in the island nation of Palau. Peleliu, along with two small islands to its northeast, forms one of the sixteen states of Palau. The island is notable as the location of the Battle of Peleliu in World War II.
H ...
and Ngesebus operation between September and November 1944 and was decorated with the
Legion of Merit with
Combat "V"
Combat ( French for ''fight'') is a purposeful violent conflict meant to physically harm or kill the opposition. Combat may be armed (using weapons) or unarmed ( not using weapons). Combat is sometimes resorted to as a method of self-defense, or ...
for his service.
His official citation reads:
... coordinated the training of the various elements of the division and obtained a high degree of combat efficiency. Closely collaborating with staff members in the various Naval Attack Forces, he prepared operational orders for the embarkation and landing, effectively coordinating them with the inland scheme of maneuver. Preparing plans and orders for the combined elements of the United States Armed Forces, he contributed materially to the seizure of the hazardous terrain dominating the airdromes on each island, thus insuring their complete security. His professional skill, initiative and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service ...
During January 1945, Fields was transferred back to the United States and appointed aide-de-camp to the commandant of the Marine Corps, General
Alexander A. Vandegrift
General Alexander Archer Vandegrift, USMC (March 13, 1887 – May 8, 1973) was a United States Marine Corps four-star general. During World War II, he commanded the 1st Marine Division to victory in its first ground offensive of the war, the Bat ...
at
Headquarters Marine Corps
Headquarters Marine Corps (HQMC) is a headquarters staff within the Department of the Navy which includes the offices of the Commandant of the Marine Corps, the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps and various staff functions. The function, ...
.
Postwar career
In June 1947, Fields was ordered to take the Senior Course at
Marine Corps Schools Quantico and after completing the course in June 1948, he was attached to the staff of commander in chief,
US Atlantic Fleet
The United States Fleet Forces Command (USFF) is a service component command of the United States Navy that provides naval forces to a wide variety of U.S. forces. The naval resources may be allocated to Combatant Commanders such as United Stat ...
at
Norfolk, Virginia, under Admiral
William H. P. Blandy. In this capacity, he also saw duty with the newly established
NATO
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO, ; french: Organisation du traité de l'Atlantique nord, ), also called the North Atlantic Alliance, is an intergovernmental military alliance between 30 member states – 28 European and two No ...
as assistant to the U.S. Representative to the North Atlantic Ocean Regional Planning Group as advisor on ground matters and defense of land areas in the Atlantic Command.
He later served as military advisor to the Joint Department of State/Department of Defense team sent to
Portugal
Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic ( pt, República Portuguesa, links=yes ), is a country whose mainland is located on the Iberian Peninsula of Southwestern Europe, and whose territory also includes the Atlantic archipelagos of ...
. Fields was promoted to the rank of
colonel
Colonel (abbreviated as Col., Col or COL) is a senior military officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations.
In the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, a colonel was typically in charge o ...
in May 1950 and joined
Supreme Allied Command, Atlantic, as assistant chief of staff for personnel and administration under Admiral
Lynde D. McCormick
Lynde Dupuy McCormick (August 12, 1895 – August 16, 1956) was a List of United States Navy four-star admirals, four-star admiral in the United States Navy who served as Vice Chief of Naval Operations, vice chief of naval operations from 195 ...
in January 1951. Fields helped in establishing of the present headquarters of SACLANT at Norfolk, Virginia and subsequently left this command in August 1951.
Fields was subsequently attached to the Headquarters Marine Corps in
Washington, D.C.
)
, image_skyline =
, image_caption = Clockwise from top left: the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, United States Capitol, Logan Circle, Jefferson Memorial, White House, Adams Morgan, ...
, and appointed head of the Plans Branch within Division of Operations. He also simultaneously served as Marine Corps member of the Joint Strategic Plans Committee,
Joint Chiefs of Staff
The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) is the body of the most senior uniformed leaders within the United States Department of Defense, that advises the president of the United States, the secretary of defense, the Homeland Security Council and the ...
under General
Omar N. Bradley.
He left for
South Korea
South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK), is a country in East Asia, constituting the southern part of the Korean Peninsula and sharing a land border with North Korea. Its western border is formed by the Yellow Sea, while its eas ...
in September 1953 and assumed duties as assistant chief of staff for intelligence (G-2) on the staff of 1st Marine Division under Major General
Randolph M. Pate. He served in this capacity until December 16, when he relieved Colonel
Manly L. Curry as commanding officer of his old 11th Marine Artillery Regiment. The 11th Marines were stationed at
Inchon
Incheon (; ; or Inch'ŏn; literally "kind river"), formerly Jemulpo or Chemulp'o (제물포) until the period after 1910, officially the Incheon Metropolitan City (인천광역시, 仁川廣域市), is a city located in northwestern South Kore ...
and took part in several amphibious exercises. For his service in Korea, Fields was decorated with his second Bronze Star Medal.
Colonel Fields returned stateside in April 1954 and following the brief leave, he was sent to
Europe
Europe is a large peninsula conventionally considered a continent in its own right because of its great physical size and the weight of its history and traditions. Europe is also considered a subcontinent of Eurasia and it is located entirel ...
to the
Supreme Headquarters, Allied Powers in
Paris
Paris () is the Capital city, capital and List of communes in France with over 20,000 inhabitants, most populous city of France, with an estimated population of 2,165,423 residents in 2019 in an area of more than 105 km² (41 sq mi), ma ...
,
France
France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. Its metropolitan area ...
, as Chief of Plans Section under General
Alfred Gruenther
General Alfred Maximilian Gruenther (March 3, 1899 – May 30, 1983) was a senior United States Army officer, Red Cross president, and bridge player. After being commissioned towards the end of World War I, he served in the army throughout t ...
. His service in Europe ended in September 1956, when he was transferred to the headquarters of
Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic
Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic (FMFLANT) is an American maritime landing force that is spread across the Atlantic Ocean. It is headquartered at Naval Station Norfolk and directs and commands all the subordinate elements of the Navy Expeditiona ...
at Norfolk, Virginia and appointed assistant chief of staff, G-3 under Lieutenant General
Alfred H. Noble
General Alfred Houston Noble (October 26, 1894 – September 27, 1983) was a United States Marine Corps general who served in combat with the Marines from World War I in the Battle of Belleau Wood to World War II in the Pacific theater. His ...
. Fields was promoted to chief of staff of that organization in September 1957 and three months later, he was appointed Marine Corps liaison officer to the
Vice Chief of Naval Operations
The vice chief of naval operations (VCNO) is the second highest-ranking commissioned United States Navy officer in the Department of the Navy and functions as the principal deputy of the chief of naval operations and by statute, the vice chief ...
under Admiral
Harry D. Felt
Admiral Harry Donald Felt (June 21, 1902 – February 25, 1992) was an United States Naval Aviator, aviator in the United States Navy who led U.S. carrier strikes during World War II and later served as commander in chief of United Stat ...
. He received his first star, when he was promoted to the rank of
brigadier general
Brigadier general or Brigade general is a military rank used in many countries. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries. The rank is usually above a colonel, and below a major general or divisional general. When appointed ...
in July 1958.
In September 1958, Fields returned to the Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, where he was appointed deputy director for
Plans
A plan is typically any diagram or list of steps with details of timing and resources, used to achieve an objective to do something. It is commonly understood as a temporal set of intended actions through which one expects to achieve a goal.
...
at Directorate of Plans and Policy. Following two years in this assignment, Fields was transferred to
California
California is a state in the Western United States, located along the Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the most populous U.S. state and the 3rd largest by area. It is also the m ...
and appointed commanding general, Force Troops,
Fleet Marine Force Pacific
The United States Fleet Marine Force, Pacific (FMFPAC) is the largest maritime landing force in the world. Its units are spread across the Pacific Ocean and reports to the United States Pacific Command. It is headquartered at MCB Camp H. ...
. In this capacity, he was responsible for all independent units under FMFLPAC, such as support artillery units, antiaircraft artillery units, military police battalions, separate engineer units and other miscellaneous force units. He also simultaneously served as commanding general of the
Marine Corps Base Twentynine Palms.
Fields returned to the Headquarters Marine Corps in September 1962 and assumed duties as assistant director of personnel. One month later, he was promoted to the rank of
major general
Major general (abbreviated MG, maj. gen. and similar) is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. The disappearance of the "sergeant" in the title explains the apparent confusion of ...
and appointed director of personnel. Fields served in this capacity until July 1965 and received
Navy Commendation Medal
The Commendation Medal is a mid-level United States military decoration presented for sustained acts of heroism or meritorious service. Each branch of the United States Armed Forces issues its own version of the Commendation Medal, with a fifth ...
for his administrative work.
Vietnam War
![Marine Corps Birthday 1969 - Lewis J](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/ff/Marine_Corps_Birthday_1969_-_Lewis_J._Fields_and_Wallace_M._Greene.jpg)
General Fields was ordered to
Camp Pendleton
Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton is the major West Coast base of the United States Marine Corps and is one of the largest Marine Corps bases in the United States. It is on the Southern California coast in San Diego County and is bordered by O ...
, California, where he relieved Brigadier General
Edward H. Hurst on August 11, 1965, as temporary commanding general of the
1st Marine Division
The 1st Marine Division (1st MARDIV) is a Marine division of the United States Marine Corps headquartered at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California. It is the ground combat element of the I Marine Expeditionary Force (I MEF).
It is th ...
. His division was transferred to
Okinawa
is a prefecture of Japan. Okinawa Prefecture is the southernmost and westernmost prefecture of Japan, has a population of 1,457,162 (as of 2 February 2020) and a geographic area of 2,281 km2 (880 sq mi).
Naha is the capital and largest city ...
,
Japan, on August 24 and Fields assumed the responsibilities as commanding general of Task Force 79 within
U.S. Seventh Fleet
The Seventh Fleet is a numbered fleet of the United States Navy. It is headquartered at U.S. Fleet Activities Yokosuka, in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. It is part of the United States Pacific Fleet. At present, it is the largest of th ...
at the same time.
The several units of 1st Marine Division were deployed to
South Vietnam during the rest of 1965 and participated in the amphibious operations as a part of Seventh Fleet landing force. Fields remained at
Camp Courtney
is a U.S. Marine Base located in Uruma City, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. It is part of the larger Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler and home to the III Marine Expeditionary Force, 3rd Marine Division, and 3d MEB Headquarters. It is name ...
, Okinawa, where he oversaw the division's training for the combat deployment until the beginning of 1966. He ordered then the deployment of division headquarters at
Chu Lai Base during March 1966 and assumed the
Tactical area of responsibility over Chu Lai. He was also appointed deputy commander,
III Marine Amphibious Corps
III Marine Expeditionary Force (III MEF) is a formation of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force of the United States Marine Corps. It is forward-deployed and able to rapidly conduct operations across the spectrum from humanitarian assistance and ...
under Lieutenant General
Lewis W. Walt.
Fields planned and directed
Operation Hot Springs
Operation or Operations may refer to:
Arts, entertainment and media
* ''Operation'' (game), a battery-operated board game that challenges dexterity
* Operation (music), a term used in musical set theory
* ''Operations'' (magazine), Multi-Man ...
in April 1966, during which his Marines killed over 150 enemy soldiers and captured a large number of weapons. At the beginning of August 1966, he also launched
Operation Colorado
Operation Colorado/Lien Ket 52 was a US Marine Corps and Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) operation that took place in the Hiệp Đức District, lasting from 6–22 August 1966 planned by Major General Lewis J. Fields, Commanding General ...
, focused on the
Vietcong
,
, war = the Vietnam War
, image = FNL Flag.svg
, caption = The flag of the Viet Cong, adopted in 1960, is a variation on the flag of North Vietnam. Sometimes the lower stripe was green.
, active ...
activity in
Quế Sơn Valley. His last effort in Vietnam was the planning and coordination of the
search and destroy mission Operation Fresno
Operation or Operations may refer to:
Arts, entertainment and media
* ''Operation'' (game), a battery-operated board game that challenges dexterity
* Operation (music), a term used in musical set theory
* ''Operations'' (magazine), Multi-Man ...
at the beginning of September 1966. Even though the operation produced modest results, Fields received the
Navy Distinguished Service Medal for his leadership. He also received the
National Order of Vietnam, 5th Class and
Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm from the government of
South Vietnam.
Major General Fields was relieved by
Herman Nickerson Jr. on September 30, 1966, and returned to the United States under the rotation policy. He assumed command of the
5th Marine Division
The 5th Marine Division was a United States Marine Corps ground combat division which was activated on 11 November 1943 (officially activated on 21 January 1944) at Camp Pendleton, California during World War II. The 5th Division saw its firs ...
at Camp Pendleton, California and participated in the training of all Marine reserve ground units. During March 1967, Fields assumed command of the
4th Marine Division
The 4th Marine Division is a reserve division in the United States Marine Corps. It was raised in 1943 for service during World War II, and subsequently fought in the Pacific against the Japanese. Deactivated after the war, the division was re-fo ...
and Camp Pendleton and continued in his work with training of reserve Marines.
He was promoted to the rank of
lieutenant general
Lieutenant general (Lt Gen, LTG and similar) is a three-star military rank (NATO code OF-8) used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages, where the title of lieutenant general was held by the second-in-command on the ...
in July 1968 and relieved
James M. Masters Sr. as commanding general of
United States Marine Corps Development and Education Command at Quantico, Virginia. Fields received his second
Navy Distinguished Service Medal.
His official citation reads:
... Responsible for the education of all Marines, with particular emphasis on the professional training of Marine Corps officers in all aspects of amphibious operations, Lieutenant General Fields skillfully implemented a comprehensive, progressive program of basic, intermediate, and advanced instruction, contributing significantly to the high level of leadership and readiness of the Corps by providing highly competent commanders and staff officers for the air-ground forces. During this period, more than 26,000 Marines, as well as officers of the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, and over forty foreign countries, successfully advanced their military education and professional competence in courses of instruction that visibly reflected Lieutenant General Fields' own personal character, experience, and refined capacity for planning, organization, and management. Under his dynamic leadership, a Computer Science School initiated training of local personnel in programming and computer operations and provided professional education in computer science to selected officers and enlisted personnel in support of vital Marine Corps-wide systems requirements.
Retirement
Fields retired from the Marine Corps after 38 years of active service on July 1, 1970. He settled in
Fairfax, Virginia
The City of Fairfax ( ), colloquially known as Fairfax City, Downtown Fairfax, Old Town Fairfax, Fairfax Courthouse, FFX, or simply Fairfax, is an independent city (United States), independent city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth ...
, with his wife Elizabeth Packer Fields (1912–1981) and was active in the Marine Corps Historical Foundation and later as chairman of Marine Corps Officers Retired Luncheon Committee in
Washington, D.C.
)
, image_skyline =
, image_caption = Clockwise from top left: the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, United States Capitol, Logan Circle, Jefferson Memorial, White House, Adams Morgan, ...
area. After the death of his wife, he married Cheryl C. Fields (1916–2013), widow of Brigadier General
Baskin R. Lawrence.
He had two daughters from his first marriage, Elizabeth Fields Roberts and Mary Anne Fields Cherry.
Lieutenant General Lewis J. Fields died on March 5, 1988, at
Fairfax Hospital, Virginia after
heart
The heart is a muscular organ in most animals. This organ pumps blood through the blood vessels of the circulatory system. The pumped blood carries oxygen and nutrients to the body, while carrying metabolic waste such as carbon dioxide to t ...
,
lung and
kidney
The kidneys are two reddish-brown bean-shaped organs found in vertebrates. They are located on the left and right in the retroperitoneal space, and in adult humans are about in length. They receive blood from the paired renal arteries; blo ...
ailments. He is buried at
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery is one of two national cemeteries run by the United States Army. Nearly 400,000 people are buried in its 639 acres (259 ha) in Arlington, Virginia. There are about 30 funerals conducted on weekdays and 7 held on Sa ...
, Virginia.
Decorations
Below is the ribbon bar of Lieutenant General Lewis J. Fields:
See also
*
4th Marine Division
The 4th Marine Division is a reserve division in the United States Marine Corps. It was raised in 1943 for service during World War II, and subsequently fought in the Pacific against the Japanese. Deactivated after the war, the division was re-fo ...
*
5th Marine Division
The 5th Marine Division was a United States Marine Corps ground combat division which was activated on 11 November 1943 (officially activated on 21 January 1944) at Camp Pendleton, California during World War II. The 5th Division saw its firs ...
References
:
{{DEFAULTSORT:Fields, Lewis J.
1909 births
1988 deaths
People from Wicomico County, Maryland
St. John's College (Annapolis/Santa Fe) alumni
United States Marine Corps generals
United States Marine Corps personnel of World War II
United States Marine Corps personnel of the Korean War
United States Marine Corps personnel of the Vietnam War
Recipients of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Recipients of the Legion of Merit
Recipients of the National Order of Vietnam
Recipients of the Gallantry Cross (Vietnam)
Burials at Arlington National Cemetery