Walter Irvine Jordan (March 31, 1902 – October 16, 1947) was a

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 ...

Colonel and Silver Star recipient who served in

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing ...

. He was commander of the first

Marine Security Guard A Marine Security Guard (MSG), also known as a Marine Embassy Guard, is a member of the Marine Corps Embassy Security Group (formerly Marine Security Guard Battalion), a brigade-sized organization of the United States Marine Corps (USMC) whose de ...

at the American embassy in London.

Military career

Jordan was born in Norfolk, Virginia, and attended the

Virginia Military Institute la, Consilio et Animis (on seal) , mottoeng = "In peace a glorious asset, In war a tower of strength""By courage and wisdom" (on seal) , established = , type = Public senior military college , accreditation = SACS , endowment = $696.8 mill ...

, where he was vice president of the Class of 1924. After graduating, he served a tour in Nicaragua and at sea before being assigned to command the

in London. He was awarded the Silver Star for actions in the Battle of Tarawa, where he was an observer for 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 served as acting commander of the

2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines (2/2) is a light infantry battalion in the United States Marine Corps based out of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Also known as "The Warlords", it consists of approximately 1,300 Marines and sailors an ...

, after the death of its battalion commander, Lt. Col. Herbert R. Amey, Jr. He was awarded

Legions of Merit The Legion of Merit (LOM) is a military award of the United States Armed Forces that is given for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements. The decoration is issued to members of the eight ...

at the

Battle of Saipan The Battle of Saipan was a battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II, fought on the island of Saipan in the Mariana Islands from 15 June to 9 July 1944 as part of Operation Forager. It has been referred to as the "Pacific D-Day" with the ...

and as commander of the

24th Marine Regiment The 24th Marine Regiment (24th Marines) was one of three infantry regiments in the 4th Marine Division of the United States Marine Corps. Its last headquarters before being deactivated on 9 September 2013 was in Kansas City, Missouri. Mission ...

at the Battle of Iwo Jima.

Silver Star citation

Citation:

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel Walter I. Jordan (MCSN: 0-3939), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as an Observer from the FOURTH Marine Division temporarily attached to the SECOND Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces at Tarawa, Gilbert Islands, from 20 to 22 November 1943. With the Commanding Officer of the Second Battalion, Second Marines, SECOND Marine Division, killed and the staff either casualties or in isolated positions during the fierce hostilities on D-Day, Lieutenant Colonel Jordan immediately assumed command of the scattered Battalion and, promptly reorganizing the men for maximum efficiency, led them in relentless, determined attacks against a fanatic enemy for a grueling two-day period, returning to his station only after the remnants of the unit were attached to another command ashore. By his forceful and determined leadership, his valiant fighting spirit and dauntless courage in the face of extreme peril, Lieutenant Colonel Jordan contributed materially to the initial establishment of the beachhead sector and to the subsequent success of our forces in occupying the vital hostile stronghold. His zealous devotion to duty throughout reflects the highest credit upon the United States Naval Service.

Death

Jordan died at his residence in

Virginia Beach, Virginia Virginia Beach is an independent city located on the southeastern coast of the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. The population was 459,470 at the 2020 census. Although mostly suburban in character, it is the most populous city ...

, of a coronary occlusion on October 16, 1947. At the time of his death, he was serving as assistant chief of staff of the intelligence section of the Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic Fleet. Jordan is interred with his wife, Genevieve, 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 ...

, in section 8, site 6462.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Jordan, Walter 1902 births 1947 deaths Recipients of the Silver Star United States Marine Corps colonels Virginia Military Institute alumni Military personnel from Norfolk, Virginia United States Marine Corps personnel of World War II Recipients of the Legion of Merit