Robert B. Carney Jr.

Robert Bostwick Carney Jr.
BGen Frank E. Garretson, BGen Mauro J. Padalino and BGen Robert B. Carney Jr. in 1969
Born	(1919-09-24)September 24, 1919 Washington, D.C.
Died	March 9, 1983(1983-03-09) (aged 63)
Buried	Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance	United States
Service / branch	United States Marine Corps
Years of service	1941–1972
Rank	Brigadier General
Commands	9th Marine Amphibious Brigade
Battles / wars	World War II Battle of Iwo Jima[1] Vietnam War
Awards	Legion of Merit (2) Bronze Star Medal Purple Heart
Relations	Robert Carney (father) Richard K. Sutherland (father in law)

Robert Bostwick Carney Jr. (September 24, 1919 – March 9, 1983) was a United States Marine Corps brigadier general who served in World War II and the Vietnam War.

Early life and education

Carney was born in Washington, D.C., on 24 September 1919, the son of naval officer and future admiral Robert Carney and Grace Carney. He graduated from Western High School and Dartmouth College.[2]

Military career

World War II

Carney joined the United States Marine Corps in 1941 and was commissioned in April 1942.[3]

Carney participated in the Bougainville Campaign and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart for his actions during the Battle of Iwo Jima.[3] On Iwo Jima he led Company G of 3rd Battalion, 28th Marines,[4] which cleared the right flank of Mount Suribachi on 22 February 1945 (D+3).

On his return from the Pacific he was stationed at Long Beach. On 19 February 1944 he was engaged to Miss Natalie Sutherland, daughter of General Richard K. Sutherland.[2]

Post-World War II

In the early 1950s he became the U.S. Marine advisor to the Commandant of the Republic of China Marine Corps in Taiwan. In that role he helped organize the ROCMC with a structure similar to a U.S. Marine division, and he also expanded the American advisory mission to the ROCMC.[5]

He commanded the Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C., from 1964 to 1968.[6]

Vietnam War

Carney served as assistant division commander of the 3rd Marine Division from 8 November 1968 to 9 June 1969.[3][7][8] From 1 April to 21 May 1969 he commanded Task Force Hotel in western Quảng Trị Province, during which time it conducted Operation Purple Martin.[9][8] He subsequently commanded the 9th Marine Amphibious Brigade on Okinawa from 13 June to 7 November 1969.[10]

Later life

Carney retired from the Marines in June 1972. He died on 9 March 1983 and was survived by his wife Natalie, a son and a daughter.[3] He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Decorations

His decorations include the Legion of Merit (2), Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart.[3][11]

References

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

1. Miller, Bill (May 1945), "Hot Rock: The Fight For Mt. Suribachi", The Leatherneck, 28 (5), Marine Corps Association: 17, retrieved 16 September 2021
2. "Admiral's son to wed General's daughter". The New York Times. 20 February 1944. p. 33.
3. "Robert Carney, Jr., 63, Dies". The Washington Post. Retrieved 11 November 2018.
4. "Hot Rock The fight for Mount Suribachi" (PDF). Leatherneck Magazine: 42. February 2020.
5. Braitsch, Fred G. (February 1953). "Marines of Free China". Leatherneck Magazine. Washington, DC: Headquarters Marine Corps. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
6. "Chronologies - 1983". Marine Corps University. Retrieved 15 September 2021.
7. Shulimson, Jack (1997). U.S. Marines in Vietnam: 1968 The Defining Year. History and Museums Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps. p. 714. ISBN 0-16-049125-8. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
8. Smith 1988, p. 339.
9. Smith 1988, p. 52-58.
10. Smith 1988, p. 345.
11. "Robert Bostwick Carney". Military Times Hall of Valor. Retrieved 15 September 2021.

Bibliography

• Smith, Charles (1988). U.S. Marines in Vietnam: High Mobility and Standdown 1969 (PDF). History and Museums Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps. ISBN 978-1494287627. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
• Haynes, Fred (2008). The lions of Iwo Jima (First ed.). New York: Henry Hold & Co. p. 46. ISBN 9780805083255. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
• The Editors of the Navy Times (1968). Operation victory : winning the Pacific war (First ed.). New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons. pp. 142–154. Retrieved 22 September 2021. {{cite book}}: |last1= has generic name (help)