Vietnam War William John Van Ryzin (April 20, 1914 – July 1, 2002) was a highly decorated officer of the United States Marine Corps with the rank of lieutenant general.

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

In February 1939, Van Ryzin returned to the United States and was posted to the garrison at Marine Corps Base at San Diego, California.

He finished the course in December of that year and following a short Christmas leave, he rejoined 1st Defense Battalion at the beginning of January 1941, which meanwhile relocated to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

Van Ryzin was promoted to the rank of captain in May 1941 and appointed commanding officer of the Three-inch antiaircraft artillery group stationed at Palmyra Island within 1st Defense Battalion.

When Japanese attacked the Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, his unit participated in the antiaircraft artillery defense and Van Ryzin was later decorated with the Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V" for meritorious service in this capacity.

Van Ryzin was transferred back to Pearl Harbor and assigned to the staff of Marine Garrison Forces, 14th Naval District under Major General Harry K. Pickett.

He served first as 3rd Battalion commander and later as regimental executive officer, before he was appointed assistant chief of staff for personnel of 3rd Marine Division under Major General William E. Riley.