Robert E. Hogaboom

Robert Edward Hogaboom
File:Robert E Hogaboom.jpg General Robert E. Hogaboom
Born	(1902-11-13)November 13, 1902 Meridian, Mississippi
Died	St. Mary's City, Maryland
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Marine Corps
Years of service	1925-1959
Rank	General
Commands held	1st Marine Division
Battles/wars	World War II *Battle of Kwajalein *Battle of Saipan *Battle of Tinian *Battle of Guam *Battle of Iwo Jima Korean War
Awards	Legion of Merit (3)

Robert Edward Hogaboom (November 13, 1902–November 11, 1993) was a United States Marine Corps four-star general who served as Chief of Staff, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps. Hogaboom was promoted to four-star rank upon retirement as a "tombstone general".

Biography

Robert Edward Hogaboom was born on November 13, 1902 in Meridian, Mississippi. He graduated from Marion Military Institute in 1921. Hogaboom attended Mississippi State College for two years before entering the United States Naval Academy, where he was a member of the boxing team. He graduated on June 4, 1925 and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. After completing the Basic School at the Philadelphia Naval Yard, he joined the 5th Marine Regiment at Quantico, Virginia. He saw service in Cuba, Nicaragua, and China.

In World War II, Hogaboom saw action at Attu and Kiska in the Aleutians, and on Makin Island, Kwajalein, Saipan, Tinian, Guam, and Iwo Jima. He was awarded the Legion of Merit with Combat "V" for outstanding service at Saipan and Tinian as Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3 (Operations and Training), Northern Troops and Landing Force. At Iwo Jima, he earned a Gold Star in lieu of a second Legion of Merit for his service as Chief of Staff of the 3rd Marine Division.

After World War II, he served as assistant division commander, and later division commander, 1st Marine Division in Korea from 1954 to 1955.

Hogaboom retired on October 30, 1959 as a lieutenant general and was advanced to the rank of general upon retirement.

Decorations and honors

General Hogabooms medals and decorations include:

Legion of Merit w/ 2 award stars & valor device	Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal	Navy Presidential Unit Citation	Navy Unit Commendation
Nicaraguan Campaign Medal (1933)	China Service Medal	American Defense Service Medal	American Campaign Medal
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal w/ 6 service stars	World War II Victory Medal	Navy Occupation Service Medal	National Defense Service Medal
Korean Service Medal	Nicaraguan Adolf Diaz Ribbon	Order of Military Merit, Taeguk Cordon Medal	United Nations Korea Medal

The Marine Corps Association's Marine Corps Gazette General Robert E. Hogaboom Leadership Writing Contest is named in his honor.

See also

• List of United States Marine Corps four-star generals

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps.

• Gen Robert E. Hogaboom Leadership Writing Contest