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First Name: Samuel

Last Name: Jaskilka

Birthplace: Ansonia, CT, USA

Gender: Male

Branch: Marines (present)







Date of Birth: 15 December 1919

Date of Death: 15 January 2012

Rank: General

Years Served: 1942-1978
Samuel Jaskilka

   
Engagements:
•  World War II (1941 - 1945)
•  Korean War (1950 - 1953)
•  Vietnam War (1960 - 1973)

Biography:

Samuel Jaskilka
General, U.S. Marine Corps

Samuel Jaskilka was born on 15 December 1919 in Ansonia, CT, in a family of Ukrainian-Americans. He graduated from Ansonia High School in 1937. In May 1942, he graduated from the University of Connecticut, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.

On 26 September 1942, Jaskilka accepted an appointment as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and was assigned to active duty. He completed the Reserve Officers' Class, Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, VA, in 1942, and completed the Sea School at Portsmouth, VA, in 1943. He accepted an appointment in the Regular Marine Corps in March 1943.

World War II

During World War II, Jaskilka served aboard the USS Princeton (CVL-23) and participated in the Tarawa Island raid, the Gilbert Islands Operation, the Marshall Islands Operation, Palau, Yap, Ulithi, Wolei raids, Marianas Operation, Western Caroline Islands Operation and the Leyte Operation. He was promoted to First Lieutenant on 22 June 1943.

Upon his return to the U.S., he was assigned duty as Instructor, Headquarters Company, Troop Leaders Battalion, Camp Pendleton, CA, until August 1945. He was promoted to Captain in January 1945.

Post-World War II

From September 1945 until May 1947, Captain Jaskilka saw tours of independent duty with District Headquarters Recruiting Station, Manchester, NH, and District Headquarters Recruiting Station in Philadelphia, PA. In January 1948, he completed the Amphibious Warfare School, Junior Course, Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, and became Commanding Officer, Marine Detachment, U.S. Naval Air Activities, Port Lyautey, French Morocco.

Korean War

In September 1949, Jaskilka joined the 1st Marine Division and later embarked with the Division for Korea serving successively as Battalion Executive Officer and Commanding Officer of Company E, 2nd Battalion, Fifth Marines. He led the first wave of Marines onto Red Beach on 15 September 1950 in the Invasion of Inchon, Pusan Perimeter as CO of Company E of the 2/5. For heroism in combat in Korea, he received two awards of the Silver Star and a Bronze Star with Combat "V." He was promoted to Major in January 1951.

Post-Korean War

Jaskilka returned to the U.S. in February 1952 and served as Monitor, Detail Branch, Personnel Department, Headquarters Marine Corps. In July 1954, he was transferred to Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, for duty as Operations Officer, Marine Corps Test Unit #1. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in December 1955.

Upon completion of the Amphibious Warfare School, Senior Course, Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, in June 1957, Jaskilka had a three-year tour of duty as Assistant G-3 Operations and Plans Officer with Fleet Marine Force, Pacific. He turned to Quantico in July 1960 and served as an Instructor at the Senior School.

He reported to the 3rd Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force in July 1963, and was assigned duty as Executive Officer, Third Marines, and later, Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3, SEATO Expeditionary Brigade. Following his return to the U.S., he assumed duty as Joint Staff Officer in the Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He was promoted to Colonel in July 1964.

In August 1966, he was reassigned to Headquarters Marine Corps where he served consecutively as Deputy Manpower Coordinator for Research and Information Systems, G-1 Division; as Director, Data Systems Division; and as Director, Management Analysis Group. He was promoted to Brigadier General on 18 October 1968.

Vietnam War

Ordered to the Republic of Vietnam in February 1969, Brigadier General Jaskilka served as Assistant Division Commander, 1st Marine Division, and CG, Task Force Yankee. In August 1969, he was reassigned duty as J-3, Operations, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV).

1970s; Assistant Commandant

Jaskilka returned to the U.S. in August 1970, and reported to Quantico, where he served as Director, Command and Staff College, then as Deputy for Development/Director. Development Center, Marine Corps Development and Education Command.

Following his promotion to Major General in August 1972, he became Assistant Chief of Staff, G-1, Headquarters Marine Corps. He served in this capacity until his transfer in July 1973, to Camp Lejeune, where he served as Commanding General, 2nd Marine Division. He was promoted to Lieutenant General on 2 January 1974 and was assigned as Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower at Headquarters Marine Corps.

He remained in that position until 1 July 1975 when he was named Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps. While serving in that capacity, Jaskilka was advanced to the grade of General, to rank from 4 March 1976.

He retired on 30 June after thirty-six years of service.

Medals and Awards

Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Silver Star Medal w/ 1 Award Star
Legion of Merit
Bronze Star Medal w/ Valor Device
Joint Service Commendation Medal w/ 1 Oak Leaf Cluster
Navy Presidential Unit Citation w/ 2 Service Stars
American Defense Service Medal
American Campaign Medal
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal w/ 9 Service Stars
World War II Victory Medal
National Defense Service Medal w/ 1 Service Star
Korean Service Medal w/ 3 Service Stars
Vietnam Service Medal w/ 6 Service Stars
National Order of Vietnam, Knight
Vietnam Army Distinguished Service Order, 1st Class
Philippine Liberation Medal w/ 1 Service Star
Korean Presidential Unit Citation
Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit citation
United Nations Korea Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal

Death and Burial

General Samuel Jaskilka died of pneumonia on 15 January 2012 in Arlington, VA. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA.



Honoree ID: 399   Created by: MHOH

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