Joseph C. Fegan Jr.

Stateside duty Joseph C. Fegan Jr. was born on 21 December 1920, in Los Angeles, California, as the son of future Marine Major general, Joseph C. Fegan and Adelaide Loring Mitchell. Upon the graduation from high school, he enrolled the Princeton University, where he was active in Varsity football team as Tackle. Fegan also entered the ROTC unit and also enlisted the Marine Corps Reserve on 5 May 1941. Fegan completed that training in February 1943 and then was ordered to the Field Artillery School also located at Quantico. He completed the training in April of that year and assumed duty as an Artillery Instructor at Camp Pendleton, California. Fegan was integrated into the regular Marine Corps in May 1943 and joined newly activated 4th Battalion, 14th Marine Artillery Regiment one month later. The 14th Marines were subsequently attached to the 4th Marine Division under Major General Harry Schmidt and Fegan was promoted to first lieutenant in August 1943. He subsequently assumed command of Battery M of his battalion and took part in the intensive training at Camp Dunlap. Duty in Pacific He sailed with the 4th Marine Division to Pacific area at the beginning of January 1944 and led his company ashore during the Battle of Kwajalein at the beginning of February. Fegan and his battery provided support fire for advancing units of 1st Battalion, 23rd Marines and after the island was declared secured, it moved to Maui, Hawaii. Fegan spent three months with training on Hawaii and embarked with his regiment for Marianas Islands in mid-May 1944. He took part in the landing on Saipan and led his battery ashore on 15 June 1944. Fegan boldly exposed himself to heavy and sustained enemy shelling to lead his battery into position and commence firing. By nightfall, with his entire emplacement under intense bombardment by shells and small-arms fire, he gallantly moved from one gun crew to another, encouraging and rallying his men and those in adjacent posts. Later, although wounded while going to the aid of a gun crew stricken by a direct hit, he bravely continued to lead his battery and direct effective fire on the enemy. For his bravery and leadership of his battery during Saipan campaign, Fegan was decorated with the Silver Star and also received the Purple Heart for wounds. He rejoined his battery soon after and led it during the capture of Tinian one month later and during the infamous battle of Iwo Jima in February and March 1945. Fegan also received Navy Presidential Unit Citation and Navy Unit Commendation ribbons. ==Postwar career==

1945-1949 Fegan returned to the United States in November 1945 and joined the Redistribution Regiment of the Marine Training and Replacement Command, San Diego Area at Camp Pendleton. The Redistribution Regiment was responsible for the redistribution of Marines arriving from Pacific area to the separation centers for discharge or to Marine Corps Base San Diego, for reassignment. Fegan served with that regiment consecutively as assistant logistics officer and company commander under Colonel Edward A. Craig until June 1946, when he was sent to Washington, D.C., for Gunnery Officers' Ordnance Course. 1950-1966 Fegan was subsequently evacuated to the United States for treatment and following his recovery, he was promoted to major and appointed executive officer with 1st Recruit Battalion at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. He was later appointed an instructor with the NROTC unit at Yale University and remained in that capacity for almost two years. Fegan remained in that capacity until July 1967, when he completed his tour and was ordered back to the United States for new assignment. For his service in that capacity, he was decorated by Army Legion of Merit and also received Vietnam Staff Service Medal, 1st Class by the Government of South Vietnam. Following the promotion to lieutenant general on 30 August 1975, Fegan assumed duty as commanding general, Marine Corps Development and Education Command at Marine Corps Base Quantico. While in this capacity, he was responsible for the training and education at The Basic School, Officer Candidates School, Amphibious Warfare School and other facilities there. He also simultaneously commanded the Quantico Base until his retirement. ==Retirement==

Fegan retired from the Marine Corps after 37 years of service on 1 May 1978, and received the Navy Distinguished Service Medal for his service at Quantico. Upon his retirement from the Marines, he settled in Point Loma, California, and served as foreman of the San Diego Grand Jury. Fegan was also active in Episcopalian church and Marine Corps Historical Foundation. He was also active in the Marine Corps Oral History Program and received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Commandant of the Marine Corps, Paul X. Kelley in June 1986. ==Medals and decorations==

Here is the ribbon bar of Lieutenant General Fegan Jr.: ==See also==