While a student, Jeschke served with the Michigan Naval Militia, but following his graduation from the university, he resigned his commission in order to accept an appointment in the Marine Corps Reserve.

He sailed to the Atlantic Ocean with that ship as a part of the United States Grand Fleet and participated in blockade and convoy duties.

From 1919 to 1926, Jeschke served in various posts within the United States, before he was assigned to the Company Officers Course at Marine Corps School, Quantico.

He finished the course in April 1927 and was subsequently assigned to the 6th Marine Regiment at Philadelphia Navy Yard and sailed to China to protect the American Legation at Peking.

[1] When World War II in Europe broke out, Jeschke was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel and was transferred to the Marine Barracks Parris Island to be appointed chief of staff to Major General James C. Breckinridge.

[1] Jeschke arrived at Lunga Point on Guadalcanal at the beginning of November 1942 and almost immediately took part in heavy combat with the Japanese, which lasted for the next two months.

Although 8th Marines had no previous combat experience, eight months of intensive training at Samoa under Jeschke's command helped them to become an outstanding unit.

During D-Day, Jeschke kept Admiral Kirk informed and made frequent liaison visits to front-line Army combat units ashore.

For his work on D-Day, he was decorated with the Legion of Merit with Combat "V" and also received the French Croix de Guerre 1939–1945 with Gilt Star from the Government of France.

[6] Here is the ribbon bar of Brigadier General Richard H. Jeschke:[4] This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps.