LIEUTENANT GENERAL
ORMOND R. SIMPSON, USMC (DECEASED) 
 

General Ormond R. Simpson, who was born on 16 March 1915 in Corpus Christi, Texas, died on 21 November 1998 after a battle with cancer. He attended college at Texas A&M College, graduating in 1936 with a degree in mechanical engineering. Upon graduation, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps, entering active duty on 11 July 1936.

During his initial tour, General Simpson served at Camp Pendleton, California, as a lieutenant in the 1st Marine Division in various billets to include platoon commander. From 1940-41 he commanded a company in the 8th Marine Regiment. During the Second World War he served as the Assistant Officer for the Samoan Defense Force (1941), Adjutant for the 8th Marine Regiment (1942), Assistant G-4 for the General Headquarters of the Southwest Pacific Area at Leyte and Manila, and finally, as the Assistant G-4 for the Supreme Commander, Allied Powers.

Following the war, General Simpson attended the Infantry Course at the Command and General Staff School, and served as a logistics instructor at Marine Corps Schools in Quantico. In 1952, he commanded the 6th Marine Regiment, and remained the Commanding Officer until his assignment to the Korean War Theater.

During the Korean War, General Simpson served as the Commanding Officer, 1st Marine Regiment, and subsequently as the Assistant Chief of Staff of the 1st Marine Division.

Following the Korean War, General Simpson was assigned to the Army War College as a student (1954) before being selected to be the Secretary to the Commandant of the Marine Corps. In 1958, he was assigned as the Chief of Staff, Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, Virginia. During 1960, General Simpson served as the Professor of Naval Science at Duke University before being called to be the Assistant Division Commander of the 3d Marine Division in 1961. In 1962 he was again given command of a major unit, this time, the 3d Marine Expeditionary Brigade. Following this command, he was assigned as the Assistant Director of Personnel at HQMC (1962). From 1963 to 1965 General Simpson served as the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-1, 1st Marine Division. He was next assigned as the Commanding General, 2d Marine Division where he remained until 1967 when he was given command of the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina.

During the Vietnam War, General Simpson served as the Commanding General, 1st Marine Division. He remained in this billet from 1969 to 1970 when he was posted as the Commanding General of the Marine Corps Supply Center, Albany, Georgia. General Simpson's final tour was as the Director of Personnel, Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower at HQMC. On 1 May 1973, Lieutenant General Simpson retired from active duty and returned to Texas.

General Simpson's personal decorations included the Distinguished Service Medal with gold star, the Legion of Merit with three gold stars, the Bronze Star, the Navy Commendation Medal, the American Defense Service Medal, the Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal, the National Defense Service Medal with gold star, and thirteen campaign and unit awards.