Henry R. Paige

Henry Reid Paige(March 30, 1904 – April 22, 1989) was a decorated officer of theUnited States Marine Corpswith the rank ofmajor general.He is most noted for his service as commanding officer of7th Defense BattalionduringPalau Islands Campaignand later as commanding general of1st Marine Divisionor as director of Marine Corps Educational Center atMarine Corps Base Quantico.He also served as temporary base commander in summer 1956.

Henry Reid Paige
MG Henry R. Paige, USMC
Nickname(s)	"Hank"
Born	(1904-03-30)March 30, 1904 Ogdensburg, New York
Died	April 22, 1989(1989-04-22)(aged 85) Carlsbad, California
Buried	Eternal Hills Memorial Park, San Diego
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/ branch	United States Marine Corps
Years of service	1927–1961
Rank	Major general
Service number	0-4255
Commands	Marine Corps Base Quantico 1st Marine Division 1st Prov AAA Group 7th Defense Battalion
Battles / wars	Nicaraguan Campaign World War II Occupation of Iceland Palau Islands Campaign Korean War
Awards	Legion of Merit(2) Army Commendation Medal

Early years

Henry R. Paige was born on March 30, 1904, inOgdensburg, New York,as oldest child of Alfred Smith Paige and his wife Ella May Reed Paige. Paige's family operated local brickyard, which was established by Henry's great-grandfather sometimes in the first half of 19th century. Young Hank also worked there and earned his first money. He was later sent to theOgdensburg Free Academyand following the graduation in 1922, he enrolled theSt. Lawrence UniversityinCanton, New York.

While at university, Paige affiliated with Delta Tau Phi fraternity and met there his future wife, Gladys Mary Louise Brundage. They married in July 1927. However Paige completed only one year at St. Lawrence, because in 1923 he received desired appointed to theUnited States Naval AcademyatAnnapolis, Maryland.During his time at the academy, Paige competed intrack,crewandfootball.During one football game, Hank fractured his leg and spent a half year in hospital. He graduated on June 2, 1927, with abachelor's degreeand was commissioned second lieutenant in the Marine Corps on the same date. Many of his classmates became general officers later:George W. Anderson, Jr.,Glynn R. Donaho,John C. Munn,Herbert D. Riley,Alan Shapley,John Thach,Clarence E. Coffin,Samuel H. Crittenden Jr.,Marion L. Dawson,Timothy F. Donohue,Thomas J. Hamilton,Herbert L. Hoerner,William P. Chilton,Alexander M. Kowalzyk,William L. Knickerbocker,Leland R. Lampman,William H. Leahy,William F. Royall,Willard A. Saunders,Brooke Schumm,Francis M. McAlister,Samuel S. Jack,Jack P. Juhan,David F. O'Neill,George H. Potter,Walter L. J. Bayler,Joseph W. Earnshaw,Harold D. Hansen,Archie E. O'Neil,Richard P. Ross Jr.,Miles S. NewtonorEarl S. Piper.

Following his graduation, Paige was ordered tothe Basic SchoolatPhiladelphia Navy Yardfor further officer training. He completed the course in February 1928 and returned to Annapolis for tryouts in connection with1928 Summer Olympics.During the try-out, he made it to the final in thehammer throw,but did not qualify.

Paige was transferred to theMarine Barracks, Washington, D.C.in September 1928 and remained there until January 1929, when he was attached to the 2nd Marine Brigade under Brigadier GeneralLogan Felandand ordered toNicaragua.He then took part in the jungle patrols and operations against rebel bandits underAugusto César Sandino.During his time inCaribbean,he was infected withMalariatwice, but recovered soon thereafter and resumed his duties. Paige was decorated with Nicaraguan Presidential Medal of Merit with Diploma for his service in connection with anti-bandits operations.

Upon his return to the States in August 1930, Paige was attached to theMarine Barracks Parris Island,South Carolinauntil January 1932. Paige then returned to theNaval Academyas an instructor in the physical training department. He remained there only one semester and subsequently attended an antiaircraft direction school at theFord Instrument CompanyatLong Island,New York.

His first sea duties came in October 1932, when was attached to the Marine detachment aboard the heavy cruiserUSSIndianapolis.Paige was given a great honor, when PresidentFranklin D. Rooseveltmade his first presidential trip aboard that vessel. Roosevelt sailed from his summer house atCampobello IslandtoAnnapolis, Maryland.Paige was also presented to the President and had opportunity to speak with him about Ogdensburg and the Roosevelts' many friends here and in St. Lawrence County.

Paige was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant in September 1933 and left "Indy" in November of that year. He then served briefly atNorfolk Navy Yard,before assumed command of the Marine detachment aboard the battleshipUSSIdahoin January 1934. TheIdahowas undergoing a major reconstruction at Norfolk, and ship remained there until October of that year. Meanwhile, Paige was promoted to the rank of captain in July 1934 and leftIdahoone month later.

Paige was subsequently transferred toMarine Corps Base Quantico,Virginia,and attached to the10th Marine Artillery Regimentthere. He took part in the fleet exercise inCulebra, Puerto Rico,in 1935 and subsequently went to the staff of Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, as an instructor in August 1936. Paige served briefly as an instructor within the Platoon Leaders Class, before attending the Junior Course there in May 1937.

He then served with the Marine barracks on Guam and participated in the planning of airstrips and air bases there until August 1939.

World War II

Following his return to the States in August 1939, Paige was attached to the newly activated3rd Defense Battalionunder Lieutenant ColonelRobert H. PepperatParris Island.Paige served as Battery commander and helped with the activation of4thand5th Defense Battalions.He remained with 5th Defense Battalion as Battery commander and following the promotion to the rank of major in May 1941, he was appointed Commander of Three Inch Antiaircraft Group of his battalion.

Paige sailed with his unit forIcelandand took part in itsoccupationuntil March 1942. While in Iceland his unit was reviewed byPrime Minister of the United Kingdom,Winston Churchill,who stopped over after a conference with PresidentFranklin D. RooseveltinNova Scotia,Canada.

The 5th Defense battalion was ordered back to the States in March 1942 and Paige was transferred to the staff of Marine Corps Schools, Quantico one month later. He served under Brigadier GeneralSamuel M. Harringtonas director of the Artillery course and also received temporary promotion to the rank oflieutenant colonelin August 1942. Paige was transferred to command Artillery battalion within Training center atCamp Lejeune,North Carolinain January 1943 and remained there until November of that year.

Lieutenant Colonel Paige finally sailed forPacific areain November 1943 and assumed command of the7th Defense BattalionatGilbert Islands.Paige led his battalion toHawaiiin April 1944, where it was redesignated 7th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion. His unit later took part in thePalau Islands Campaignin September 1944 and subsequently deployed toAngaurisland as Garrison force. He was promoted to the rank ofcolonelin October 1944.

In November 1944, Paige was ordered back to Hawaii to organize1st Provisional Antiaircraft Artillery Group,before he was transferred to the headquartersFleet Marine Force, Pacificin December of that year. He was appointed Fleet Antiaircraft officer under Lieutenant GeneralHolland M. Smithand remained in that capacity until May 1945. Paige then took command of the 2nd Provisional Antiaircraft Artillery Group onGuamand remained there until October 1945.

For his service in thePacific areathroughout the War, Paige was decorated with theLegion of MeritwithCombat "V"by general Holland Smith.

Later career

Colonel Paige was attached to the Supply section atHeadquarters Marine CorpsinWashington, D.C.,and subsequently appointed Technical planner in the Logistics Plan Division, Office of theChief of Naval Operationsunder Fleet AdmiralChester W. Nimitz.While in that capacity, Paige served simultaneously with Joint Army and NavyChemical WarfareCoordination Committee. He was decorated later withArmy Commendation Medalfor his service with that committee.

In August 1948, Paige was attached to the course atNational War Collegeand graduated in July 1949. His next assignment was the capacity of chief of staff withTroop Training Unit, Atlantic FleetatLittle Creek, Virginia,under Brigadier GeneralRobert H. Pepper.In September 1950, Paige was appointed first president of Tactics and Techniques board within Marine Corps Development Center atQuantico, Virginia.

Paige was promoted to the rank ofbrigadier generalin September 1953 and appointed chief of staff,Camp Lejeune.His tenure was a brief and he was attached to2nd Marine Divisionas assistant division commander to Major GeneralGeorge F. Good.The 2nd Division underwent intensive training, but did not deployed toKorea.

However Paige was transferred to Korea himself in July 1954 and joined1st Marine Divisionunder Major GeneralRobert E. Hogaboomas assistant division commander. Although the truce was already in effect for more than year, 1st Marine Division remained in defensive positions along theKorean Demilitarized Zone.During his time in Korea, Paige also served as navy member of theUnited Nations Military Armistice Commission,which was tasked to supervise theKorean Armistice Agreement.He attended several meetings with the Communists representatives atPanmunjom.He showed great administrative and diplomatic skills and army command decorated him withLegion of Merit.Paige also receivedKorean Ulchi Medalfrom the Government ofSouth Korea.

The last units of 1st Marine Division were ordered back to the United States in April 1955 and Paige was transferred toMarine Corps Base Quanticoand appointed director of Marine Corps Educational Center located there. While served in this capacity, Paige was involved in the development of helicopters crews. He was promoted to the rank ofmajor generalin November 1955.Paige also served as temporary Commander ofMarine Corps Base Quanticofrom July to September 1956. As temporary commander of the Quantico Base, he also served dual capacity as commandant of the Marine Corps Schools, Quantico.

In July 1957, Paige was appointed assistant chief of staff for logistics atHeadquarters Marine Corpsand remained there until fall 1959. His final assignment came in November of that year, when he was ordered toCamp Pendleton,California,and appointed commanding general of famed1st Marine Division.During his tenure, over 17,000 Marines were under his command.

Retirement

Major General Henry R. Paige retired from the active service on July 1, 1961, after 34 years of commissioned service. Upon his retirement from the military, he settled inCaliforniaand served as a director of the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce and the Oceanside United Service Organizations and president of the OceansideRotary Club.Paige was also a member of U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association, the Marine Corps Association, the 1st Marine Division Association and the North CountyYMCAboard.Paige also received honorary doctorate fromSt. Lawrence University.

He died on April 22, 1989, in hisCarlsbadresidence, aged 85. His wife Gladys, died just several months later. They are both buried at Eternal Hills Memorial Park,San Diego.They had together four kids: son Reid and daughters: Mary Ellen, Ann, and Shirley.

Decorations

Here is the ribbon bar of Major General Henry R. Paige:

1st Row	Legion of MeritwithCombat "V"andOak Leaf Cluster
2nd Row	Army Commendation Medal				Second Nicaraguan Campaign Medal				American Defense Service Medalwith Base Clasp				European–African–Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
3rd Row	Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medalwith one3/16 inch service star				American Campaign Medal				World War II Victory Medal				National Defense Service Medalwith one service star
4th Row	Korean Service Medal				United Nations Korea Medal				Nicaraguan Presidential Medal of Merit with Diploma				Korean Ulchi Medalwith Silver Star

See also

• List of 1st Marine Division Commanders
• Marine defense battalions
• Robert H. Pepper
• Harry K. Pickett

References

This article incorporatespublic domain materialfrom websites or documents of theUnited States Marine Corps.