Group of 11 to Maj Gen William J. Scheyer, US Marine Corps

Group of 11 to Maj General William J. Scheyer, USMC: Legion of Merit, with “V” device and gold star, wrap brooch, numbered “12933″ (resewn at the brooch), unnamed; Bronze Star, wrap brooch, with “V” device, unnamed; Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal, numbered “M.No.7895″; Second Nicaragua Campaign Medal, Marine Corps, numbered “M.No.892″; Yangtze Service Medal, Marine Corps, numbered “M.No.85″; China Service Medal, Marine Corps, crimp brooch (later strike); American Defense Service Medal, clasp “Base”; American Campaign Medal; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, with four stars; World War II Victory Medal; National Defense Service Medal.

William J. Scheyer (1900-1956) graduated from the Naval Academy in 1923. He was assigned to the Marine Corps Rifle and Pistol Team at Quantico and took part in the National Matches in 1923 and 1924. He spent 1926 with the First Marine Brigade in Haiti and Nicaragua. He then moved to Shanghai with the 4th Marines until 1932. In 1935, Scheyer went back to the Marine Corps Rifle and Pistol Team, earning the Distinguished Marksman Badge. In 1937-1939, he commanded the Marine detachment aboard USS California. In 1942, he moved to the 9th Defense Battalion in Cuba before sailing for Guadalcanal, where he earned a Bronze Star with “V” device. In April 1943, he took command of the 9th Defense Battalion, earning the Legion of Merit with “V” device. Promoted to colonel in late 1943, Scheyer moved to be the personnel officer of III Marine Amphibious Corps, where he earned his second Legion of Merit. From 1947-1949, he was chief of staff of Fleet Marine Force, Western Pacific, dealing with the Chinese Civil War. He was promoted to brigadier general in 1951 and became deputy commanding general of Camp Pendleton. He retired in 1954 due to ill health and died in May 1956. General Scheyer is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.