Korean War Francis Marion McAlister (March 29, 1905 – September 2, 1965) was a highly decorated officer of the United States Marine Corps with the rank of major general.

[2] He was ordered to the Basic School at Philadelphia Navy Yard for his officer training and after finishing the instruction in January 1928, he was assigned to the 11th Marine Regiment under Colonel Robert H. Dunlap at Norfolk, Virginia.

This vessel had already served within Special Service Squadron, Asiatic Fleet in the Chinese waters and was tasked with the "protection of American lives and property".

[1] McAlister subsequently embarked for Hawaii and following his promotion to major in July 1941, he was appointed commanding officer of the Marine barracks at Naval Ammunition Depot, Oahu.

[1] He sailed with that command to the South Pacific Area in October 1942 and after a brief stay at Hawaii and later at New Caledonia, he took part in the fighting in Southern Solomons, Bougainville and New Georgia.

He completed all courses in August 1949 and assumed duties as assistant chief of staff for logistics at Camp Pendleton under the command of Major General Graves B.

Constantly alert and aggressive, he provided the commanding general with accurate information on the extent of logistical support that could be given to any proposed tactical course of action and made sound recommendations concerning necessary decisions regarding supply, thereby contributing essentially to the success achieved by his division in operations against the enemy.

Upon his return to the United States in June 1951, McAlister was appointed President of the Marine Corps Equipment Board with the seat at Quantico, Virginia.

After almost two years of service in this capacity, McAlister was ordered to Hawaii in April 1953, where he was appointed chief of staff, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific under Lieutenant General Franklin A. Hart.

[1] For his new rank, he was ordered to Washington, D.C., in August 1954 and attached to the Headquarters Marine Corps as assistant chief of staff for logistics under General Lemuel C. Shepherd.

He then served as deputy commander, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, at Hawaii under Lieutenant General Vernon E. Megee, before transferring to San Francisco at the beginning of January 1960.

[1][4][5] Major General Francis M. McAlister subsequently retired from the Marine Corps, after 33 years of commissioned service and settled in Blue Mountain, Mississippi.

By his inspiring and determined leadership, superb tactical ability and heroic devotion to duty in the face of tremendous odds, Colonel McAlister contributed materially to the success of his regiment's mission and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

During numerous and arduous trips to the front lines, he observed the activities of combat engineers in removing mines and constructing bridges and roads under fire.