Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr. papers

Access and use

Location of collection:
Virginia Military Institute Archives
Preston Library
Virginia Military Institute
345 Letcher Ave.
Lexington, VA 24450-0304
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Jeffrey S. Kozak
Phone: (540) 464-7516
Phone: (540) 464-7566
Fax: (540) 464-7089
Restrictions:

There are no restrictions.

Terms of access:

Manuscript collections in the VMI Archives are made available for educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information.

Preferred citation:

Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr. papers, 1913-1990. MS 0006. VMI Archives, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia.

Summary

Extent:
6 cubic feet
Creator:
Shepherd, Lemuel C., Jr. (Lemuel Cornick), 1896-1990
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr. papers, 1913-1990. MS 0006. VMI Archives, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia.

Background

Scope and content:

The Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr. papers consist primarily of the following:

  • Unpublished memoirs and accompanying documents
  • Photograph albums and scrapbooks dating from Shepherd's years as a VMI cadet, as Commandant of the United States Marine Corps, and from his service as President of the Inter-American Defense Board
  • An interview with Shepherd conducted by the archivist of the MacArthur Library regarding Shepherd's role during the Korean War, assault at Inchon
  • Correspondence
  • Clippings
  • Certificates and resolutions
  • Printed material
The unpublished memoirs include detailed information about Shepherd's early Marine Corps career and his participation in World War I. They include copies of his World War I diary and personal correspondence.

Biographical / historical:

Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr. (1896-1990) was a United States Marine Corps four-star general, and saw distinguished service in World War I, World War II, and the Korean War. He was appointed the 20th Commandant of the Marine Corps in 1952.

Date Event
1896 February 10
Born in Norfolk, Virginia
1917 May
Graduated from the VMI. Shepherd, along with many other classmates, were declared graduates a month early, having been called into active duty.
1917-1919
Served with the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, American Expeditionary Forces, France
1920-1922
Aide to the Commandant of the Marines Corps
Junior White House aide
1922
Married Virginia Tunstall Driver and the couple had four children.
1922-1925
Served on United States ships Idaho and Nevada
1927-1929
Served with the 4th Marines in China
1937-1939
Commander, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Brigade, Fleet Marine Force
1939-1942
Staff member, Marine Corps School
1942-1943
Regimental Commander, 9th Marines, 3rd Marine Division
1943-1944
Assistant Division Commander, 1st Marine Division
1944-1945
Commanding General, 6th Marine Division
1946-1948
Assistant Commandant and Chief of Staff, Marine Corps
1948-1950
Commandant, Marine Corps Schools
1950-1951
Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific
1952-1956
Commandant, Marine Corps
1956 January 1
Retired from Marine Corps
1956 March
Recalled to active duty
Chairman, Inter-American Defense Board, 1956-1959
1959 October
Retired from active duty for second time
1990 August 6
Died at his home in La Jolla, California, and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia.
Physical location:
Manuscripts stacks