Colonel William J. Marshall Jr., DSC

Colonel William J. Marshall Jr., DSC

Regimental Commander 102nd Armored Cavalry Regiment 1965 – 1968

Awarded: Distinguished Service Cross, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart

In 1939-1940, Colonel Marshall was a member of the Civilian Military Training Corps. He enlisted and was assigned to 102nd Cavalry Regiment as Platoon Sergeant of the Anti-Tank Platoon. Mobilized with the Regiment on 6 January 1941 and transferred to Fort Jackson, SC. In 1942 he graduated Officer Candidate School (OCS), Fort Knox, KY. He was assigned to the 4th Armored Division in time for the Tennessee Maneuvers in 1942.

Colonel Marshall landed in Normandy, France (Utah Beach) on 11 July 1944 with the 4th Armored Division and participated in the Lunaville, Nancy-Arracourt and “Breakout” Campaigns. He was in command of the first American unit to cross the Moselle River into Belgium and led the strike into the German Army’s flank. General George S. Patton decorated Colonel Marshall for his heroic acts during this operation. Captured during the Battle of the Bulge in the vicinity of Bastogne and held prisoner at Hammelburg and Moosburg. Colonel Marshall was repatriated by the 14th Armored Division in 1945.

Colonel Marshall joined the 102nd Cavalry Group in 1946 where he served as a Tank Company Commander, Squadron Operations Officer, and Executive Officer of the 2nd Battalion 102nd Armored Cavalry. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and appointed as 2nd Squadron Commanding Officer.

Colonel Marshall was later assigned as Assistant Inspector General for the 50th Armored Division and also commanded the 4th and 6th Armored Battalions of the 50th Armor. In 1965 he took command of the 102nd Armored Cavalry Regiment. He was the last Regimental Commander prior to the reorganization and retirement of the Regiment’s colors in 1968.

After his retirement Colonel Marshall a Professor of Armor for National Guard and Reserve Forces at the U.S. Army Armor Center in Fort Knox, KY. He is a recipient of the Draper Award in 1992 for excellence in Civilian Leadership.

Colonel Marshall passed away on 23 June 1998 and is buried in St. James Cemetery, Elizabethtown, KY.