Introduction
William Wallace Ashurst (October 30, 1893 – February 18, 1952) was a Brigadier General in the United States Marine Corps, who served as a last commander of the North China Marine Detachment. He was captured by Japanese forces on December 8, 1941 and was held in captivity for the rest of the war.
Early years
William W. Ashurst was born on October 30, 1893 in Green Ridge, Missouri. Ashurst attended the Wentworth Military Academy in Lexington, Missouri and was commissioned a Second lieutenant in the Marine Corps Reserve on May 21, 1917. He was assigned to the Marine Corps Rifle Range in Winthrop, Maryland, before he embarked for France. Ashurst also received the regular Marine Corps commission in September of the same year.
During World War I, he fought with the 5th Marine Regiment, 2nd Division within American Expeditionary Force. In June 1918, Ashurst was wounded, while leading an attack on a German machine gun post during the Battle of Belleau Wood. For his service during the battle, Ashurst was decorated for gallantry in action with the Silver Star He was also awarded the Croix de Guerre 1914–1918 with Gilt Star by the government of France.
Interwar period
Ashurst returned to the United States in April 1920 and was assigned to Marine Barracks Portsmouth, New Hampshire. He also attended the advanced course at Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas in June 1935 and served on the various marine post. In 1939, Ashurst served as a battalion commander in the 6th Marine Regiment stationed in San Diego, California. In this capacity, his direct superior was Samuel L. Howard, also prisoner of war from the Battle of Corregidor.
World War II
In December 1941, then-Colonel Ashurst served as Commander of the North China Marine Corps Detachment and also as a Commander of the Guard Unit at the United States Embassy in Beijing, China.
When Japan attacked the United States, Ashurst and the Marines and U.S. Navy personnel under his command were captured on December 8, 1941 by Japanese forces and interned in a prisoner of war camp in Shanghai until June 1945.
For his actions during the internment in Shanghai, Ashurst was awarded the Legion of Merit. He was subsequently promoted to the rank of Brigadier General
Death
Brigadier General William W. Ashurst, USMC, died on February 18, 1952, aged 58. Ashurst is buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia.
Legion of Merit citation
Decorations
Here is the ribbon bar of Brigadier General William W. Ashurst, USMC:
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| 1st Row | Silver Star | Legion of Merit | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd Row | Purple Heart | Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal | World War I Victory Medal with two battle clasps | Yangtze Service Medal | ||||||||
| 3rd Row | American Defense Service Medal with Base clasp | Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal | World War II Victory Medal | French Croix de guerre 1914–1918 with Gilt Star | ||||||||