History of Ronald R. Van Stockum in Timeline

Ronald Reginald Van Stockum was a highly decorated Brigadier General in the United States Marine Corps. He served in the Bougainville, Guam, and Iwo Jima campaigns during World War II. Later in his career, he served as the Director of the Marine Corps Reserve. He is particularly remembered for his role as the Commanding General of the Fleet Marine Force, Pacific (Forward) on Okinawa during the Vietnam War era.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

July 1, 1916: Death of Reginald George Bareham

On July 1, 1916, Reginald George Bareham, Ronald Van Stockum's father, was killed in action while serving as a sergeant with the British Army during the Battle of the Somme. He died a week after his 22nd birthday and a week before his son Ronald was born.

July 8, 1916: Ronald Reginald Van Stockum's Birth

On July 8, 1916, Ronald Reginald Van Stockum was born as Ronald Reginald Bareham in Newton, Cambridgeshire, England, to Reginald George Bareham and Florence Rosetta Freestone.

1918: Florence Joins Women's Royal Air Force

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

May 20, 1920: Marriage of Florence and Anton

On May 20, 1920, Florence, Ronald's mother, married Anton, which allowed her and Ronald to enter the United States. Ronald was later adopted by Anton and renamed Van Stockum.

June 1937: Graduation from the University of Washington

In June 1937, Ronald Van Stockum graduated from the University of Washington in Seattle with a bachelor's degree, after completing the ROTC course and receiving a commission as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps. He was also active on the YMCA student board.

August 4, 1937: Assignment to the Basic School

On August 4, 1937, Ronald Van Stockum's first assignment as a Second Lieutenant was to the Basic School at Philadelphia Navy Yard for Marine Corps Officer instruction. During this time, he worked with notable figures in Marine Corps history and received the highest marks in Drill and Command.

May 1938: Completion of Secondary Battery Gunnery School

In May 1938, Ronald Van Stockum completed Secondary Battery Gunnery School on board USS Nevada after completing basic school.

May 1939: Assignment to the 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment

In mid-May 1939, Ronald Van Stockum was ordered to San Diego and attached to the 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment under Lieutenant Colonel Oliver P. Smith.

January 1941: Ordered for Sea Duties

In January 1941, Ronald Van Stockum was ordered for sea duties as a member of the Marine detachment aboard the aircraft carrier USS Wasp.

February 1942: Promotion to Captain

In February 1942, following the United States entry into World War II, Ronald Van Stockum was promoted to the rank of captain and succeeded Captain August Larson in command of the detachment aboard the USS Wasp.

May 1942: Participation in the Relief of Malta

In April and May 1942, Ronald Van Stockum participated in the relief of Malta, when the USS Wasp delivered 47 Spitfires fighter planes within the Operations Calendar and Bowery.

July 1942: Assumption of Duty as Battalion Executive Officer

In July 1942, Ronald Van Stockum's battalion was ordered to San Diego, California, and he assumed duty as the battalion's executive officer.

September 15, 1942: Sinking of the USS Wasp

On September 15, 1942, the USS Wasp, where Van Stockum had previously served, was sunk off Guadalcanal. Captain John Kennedy, who had relieved Van Stockum, was lost in the sinking.

November 1943: Sailing for Bougainville Island

In November 1943, after intensive training on Guadalcanal, Ronald Van Stockum sailed with the 1st Battalion for the Bougainville Island campaign in the North Solomon Islands.

December 1943: Participation in the Battle of Hellzapoppin Ridge

At the beginning of December 1943, Ronald Van Stockum took part in the battle of Hellzapoppin Ridge on Bougainville Island. He also assumed additional responsibility as commander of Battalion's Weapons company.

January 9, 1944: Order Back to Guadalcanal

On January 9, 1944, after serving on Bougainville, the 21st Regiment, including Ronald Van Stockum, was ordered back to Guadalcanal. During his service on Bougainville, Van Stockum was decorated with the Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V".

July 21, 1944: Landing on Guam

On July 21, 1944, Ronald Van Stockum sailed with the 1st Battalion to Guam and went ashore with the first waves of troops on Asan Beach.

February 1945: Promotion and Command of 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines

In February 1945, after the Guam campaign, Ronald Van Stockum was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel and assumed command of the 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines under Colonel James A. Stuart.

February 23, 1945: Observation of US Flag Raising on Mt. Suribachi

On February 23, 1945, Ronald Van Stockum, in floating reserve off shore during the battle of Iwo Jima, observed the incident of the US flag being raised on Mt. Suribachi.

April 1945: Assignment to Camp Pendleton

In April 1945, Ronald Van Stockum returned to the United States and assumed duty as an instructor, Troop Training Unit, Pacific Fleet at Camp Pendleton, California, under Brigadier General Harry K. Pickett.

January 1947: Duty as Inspector-Instructor in Minneapolis

In January 1947, Ronald Van Stockum was ordered to Minneapolis, Minnesota, for duty as Inspector-Instructor with the 4th Marine Reserve Infantry Battalion.

June 1948: Transfer to New York City

In June 1948, Ronald Van Stockum was transferred to the same Inspector-Instructor position with a reserve battalion in New York City.

June 1950: Graduation from Amphibious Warfare School

In June 1950, Ronald Van Stockum graduated from the Senior Course at the Amphibious Warfare School at Quantico, Virginia, and assumed duty as Senior Marine Officer, Amphibious Group Two under Rear Admiral Harold D. Baker.

July 1951: Promotion to Colonel

In July 1951, during his assignment with Amphibious Group Two, Ronald Van Stockum was promoted to the rank of colonel.

July 1952: Commanding Officer of Marine Detachment at Naval Training Center

In July 1952, Ronald Van Stockum was transferred to the Naval Training Center, Great Lakes, Illinois, and assumed duty as commanding officer of the Marine detachment there and district Marine officer.

August 1954: Joining the 3rd Marine Division in Japan

In August 1954, Ronald Van Stockum was ordered to Gifu, Japan, and joined the staff of the 3rd Marine Division under Major General James P. Riseley, serving as a divisional intelligence officer (G-2).

June 1957: Receiving Army Commendation Medal

At the end of June 1957, Ronald Van Stockum concluded his service as commandant of the headquarters for General Lyman Lemnitzer in Tokyo and received the Army Commendation Medal from General Lemnitzer for his service in the Far East.

August 1957: Instruction at Royal Military College of Canada

In August 1957, Ronald Van Stockum was ordered to the instruction at Royal Military College of Canada at Fort Frontenac in Kingston, Ontario.

July 1958: Reporting to 2nd Marine Division

In July 1958, Ronald Van Stockum graduated from the Royal Military College of Canada and reported to the 2nd Marine Division under Major General Joseph C. Burger as deputy chief of staff.

July 1959: Command of 8th Marine Regiment

At the beginning of July 1959, Ronald Van Stockum's tour of duty with the 2nd Marine Division continued when he assumed command of the 8th Marine Regiment.

June 1960: Appointment as Divisional Inspector

In June 1960, Major General James P. Berkeley appointed Ronald Van Stockum as Divisional Inspector for the 2nd Marine Division.

February 1961: Appointment as Divisional Chief of Staff

In February 1961, Ronald Van Stockum was appointed Divisional Chief of Staff and was co-responsible for the organization of Operation Old-Timer, a social event for the 20th Birthday of the 2nd Marine Division.

July 1961: Duty as Director, 4th Marine Reserve and Recruitment District

In July 1961, Ronald Van Stockum assumed duty as director of the 4th Marine Reserve and Recruitment District in Philadelphia, overseeing reserve units and recruitment stations in several states. He also received word of his nomination to the rank of brigadier general.

June 5, 1962: Assignment to Headquarters Marine Corps

On June 5, 1962, Ronald Van Stockum was ordered to Headquarters Marine Corps in Washington, D.C., and relieved Brigadier General William T. Fairbourn as director of the Marine Corps Reserve.

July 1, 1962: Promotion to Brigadier General

On July 1, 1962, Ronald Van Stockum was promoted to the rank of brigadier general while serving as director of the Marine Corps Reserve. He developed a good relationship with Commandant David M. Shoup.

March 1964: Appointed Commanding General, Landing Force Training Unit, Pacific

In March 1964, Ronald Van Stockum was transferred to San Diego and appointed commanding general of the Landing Force Training Unit, Pacific, where he was responsible for training Army and Marine units in Amphibious Operations.

October 1964: Visit to Tsoying, Taiwan

In October 1964, Ronald Van Stockum was invited to Tsoying, Taiwan, by Lieutenant General Yu Hao-chang, Commandant of the Chinese (Taiwan) Marine Corps, and later visited senior commanders in various locations in the Western Pacific.

February 1966: Ordered to Okinawa

In February 1966, Van Stockum was ordered to Okinawa and succeeded Melvin D. Henderson as commanding general, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific (Forward) and deputy to Lieutenant General Victor H. Krulak. His main duty was to coordinate logistics for the support of marine forces in the Vietnam War.

March 16, 1967: Succeeded by Major General John G. Bouker

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

June 30, 1967: Retired from the Marine Corps

On June 30, 1967, Van Stockum completed thirty years of active service and retired from the Marine Corps.

February 1969: End of Service on the Navy Department Board

In February 1969, Van Stockum's service as the Marine Corps Representative on the Navy Department Board of Decorations and Medals concluded.

1970: Settled in Shelby County, Kentucky

In 1970, Van Stockum settled with his family at Allen Dale Farm in Shelby County, Kentucky, and worked at the University of Louisville. He started as Assistant Dean for Administration at the School of Medicine, and later as Assistant to the University President.

April 24, 2022: Death of Ronald Reginald Van Stockum

Ronald Reginald Van Stockum, a decorated officer of the United States Marine Corps, died on April 24, 2022. At the time of his death, he had achieved the rank of brigadier general.