Korean War Richard Garfield Weede (September 26, 1911 – October 22, 1985) was a highly decorated officer of the United States Marine Corps with the rank of lieutenant general.

Some of his classmates reached the general officer rank later: Robert E. Cushman Jr., Eli T. Reich, Eugene Fluckey, Ralph M. Metcalf or Arnold F.

This class provided two future Marine Corps Commandants (Leonard F. Chapman Jr. and Robert E. Cushman Jr.), five lieutenant generals (Lewis J.

[1] Following his return to the United States, Weede was ordered to Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina and attached to the newly activated 4th Defense Battalion under Major George F. Good.

The battalion was already sent to the Pacific, and Weede served at American Samoa under Lieutenant Colonel Raymond E. Knapp as commanding officer of the 5-Inch Artillery Group.

[2] Weede led his unit to Tarawa at the end of November 1943, following the main landing and the battalion under his command repelled several enemy bombing raids.

[1][2][5][6] Lieutenant Colonel Weede returned stateside in July 1945 and was attached to the Bureau of Ordnance, Navy Department under Vice Admiral George F. Hussey.

[1] During the Korean War, Weede was ordered to the Far East in May 1951 and appointed assistant chief of staff for operations, 1st Marine Division under Major General Gerald C. Thomas.

Weede then assumed command of 5th Marine Regiment at the beginning of August of that year and took part in the frontline patrols and rear area security missions.

Following the breakdown of armistice negotiations in August 1951, the United Nations Command decided to launch a limited offensive in the late summer/early autumn to shorten and straighten sections of their lines, acquire better defensive terrain, and deny the enemy key vantage points from which they could observe and target UN positions.

Colonel Weede led his 5th Marines into action on September 15 and during the Battle of the Punchbowl and took part in the assault on the Kanmubong Ridge, where they captured the Hill 812.

Weede received his second Legion of Merit for work as chief of staff and two Air Medals for his participation in liaison and reconnaissance flights over the frontline.

This group was tasked with the development of the recommendations on how the MAGTF should evolve structurally to meet the challenges of atomic warfare and new technologies such as helicopters and jet aircraft.

The members of the group were Thomas J. Coolley, John P. Condon, August Larson, Joseph N. Renner, Carson A. Roberts, Samuel R. Shaw, George R. E. Shell, Eustace R. Smoak and William J.

[11][2] Upon his return stateside, Weede was appointed assistant chief of staff for operations at Headquarters Marine Corps and remained in this capacity until July 1965.