Ronald Reginald Van Stockum (July 8, 1916 – April 24, 2022) was a decorated officer of the United States Marine Corps with the rank of brigadier general.

In early 1918, his mother Florence joined the newly established Women's Royal Air Force, serving as an ambulance driver until a few months after the end of World War I, when the WRAF was deactivated.

Sergeant Anton William Van Stockum, native of the Netherlands, who while living in the United States had volunteered for the U.S. Army Air Corps.

Van Stockum had the opportunity to work with great names in the modern Marine Corps history like, for example, Gilder D. Jackson Jr., Chesty Puller, Leonard B. Cresswell, Frank B. Goettge, Russell N. Jordahl, Walfried M. Fromhold, Howard N. Kenyon and Roy M. Gulick, who served as instructors during his time at the school.

[2] After one year of sea duty, Van Stockum was ordered to San Diego in mid-May 1939 and attached to the 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment under Lieutenant Colonel Oliver P. Smith.

He remained with that unit until January 1941 and then was ordered again for sea duties as a member of the Marine detachment aboard the aircraft carrier USS Wasp.

Van Stockum later assumed additional responsibility as commander of Battalion's Weapons company and remained on Bougainville until January 9, 1944, when 21st Regiment was ordered back to Guadalcanal.

His battalion was scheduled to take part in the battle of Iwo Jima in February 1945, but remained in floating reserve off shore, in position where he observed the famous incident of the US flag being raised on Mt.

Van Stockum reported this incident to the director of marine reserve district, Colonel Walker A. Reaves, who requested official investigation.

[2] During this assignment he participated in an amphibious exercise at Onslow Beach near Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and later attended the winter course at the Army Arctic Indoctrination School in Big Delta, Alaska.

Also, during this tour, Van Stockum and his command participated in Operation Blue Jay above the Arctic Circle at Thule, Greenland, in cooperation with the Army Transportation Corps, the U.S. Air Force, and civilian contractors for the construction of the airbase in that area.

Van Stockum served as a divisional intelligence officer (G-2) until June of the following year and then joined the Headquarters of Far East Command in Tokyo under General Lyman Lemnitzer.

Van Stockum remained in this capacity until the end of June 1957 and received Army Commendation Medal from general Lemnitzer for his service in the Far East.

[2] Following his return to the United States in August 1957, Van Stockum was ordered to the instruction at Royal Military College of Canada at Fort Frontenac in Kingston, Ontario.

[2] He was appointed Divisional Chief of Staff in February 1961 and was co-responsible for the organization of Operation Old-Timer, social event made for the 20th Birthday of 2nd Marine Division.

During this event, Van Stockum met many important leaders from divisional history, retired Generals Franklin A. Hart, Edwin A. Pollock, Lewis B. Puller, Thomas E. Watson, Julian C. Smith or Clayton B.

[1][2] Van Stockum was transferred to San Diego in March 1964 and appointed commanding general, Landing Force Training Unit, Pacific.

Within this command, Van Stockum toured Western Pacific and inspected his teams, which trained allies of the United States in amphibious warfare.

Van Stockum was succeeded by Major General John G. Bouker on March 16, 1967, and received his second Legion of Merit for his service with Fleet Marine Force, Pacific.

However he was recalled to active duty as the Marine Corps Representative on the Navy Department Board of Decorations and Medals and served in this capacity until February 1969.

She was a granddaughter of the French General, Baron Athanase-Charles-Marie Charette de la Contrie, Commander of the Papal Zouaves in Rome and hero of the Franco-Prussian War.

His books: Here are the decorations of Van Stockum:[8] This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps.