Frank E. Garretson
Frank Edmund Garretson (February 27, 1918 – January 23, 2006) was an American military officer who served in the United States Marine Corps with the rank of brigadier general. A veteran of World War II, he distinguished himself as commanding officer of Company F, 2nd Battalion, 24th Marines, 4th Marine Division during the attack on Namur Island, Kwajalein Atoll, on February 1–2, 1944 and received the Navy Cross, the United States' second-highest decoration awarded for valor in combat.
Frank Edmund Garretson | |
|---|---|
Garretson as Brigadier general, USMC in February 1966 | |
| Nickname(s) | "Daisy" |
| Born | February 27, 1918 Salem, Iowa |
| Died | January 23, 2006 (aged 87) San Diego, California |
| Place of Burial | |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/ | United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1940–1970 |
| Rank | Brigadier general |
| Service number | 0-7639 |
| Commands held | Camp Butler Director of Information 9th Marine Regiment 2nd Battalion, 24th Marines |
| Battles/wars | World War II
Vietnam War
|
| Awards | Navy Cross Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit (3) Bronze Star Medal Purple Heart (2) |
| Relations | Herman Garretson (father) |
Garretson remained in the Marines and participated in battles in the Korean War and Vietnam War. He served as commander of Task Force Hotel, which was assigned the task of maintaining the defense of Khe Sanh Combat Base and the surrounding outposts in 1968–1969. Garretson retired as deputy commander, Camp Pendleton in June 1970.