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. Van Stockum is most recognized for his leadership roles, including Director of the Marine Corps Reserve and Commanding General of the Fleet Marine Force, Pacific (Forward) in Okinawa during the Vietnam War.

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's father, was killed in action while serving in the British Army during the Battle of the Somme.

July 8, 1916: Ronald Reginald Van Stockum Born

On July 8, 1916, Ronald Reginald Van Stockum was born in Newton, Cambridgeshire, England.

1918: Florence Joins the Women's Royal Air Force

In early 1918, Ronald's mother, Florence, joined the newly established Women's Royal Air Force (WRAF) and served as an ambulance driver.

May 20, 1920: Marriage of Florence and Anton

On May 20, 1920, Florence 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 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps after completing the ROTC course.

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.

May 1938: Completion of Secondary Battery Gunnery School

In May 1938, Van Stockum completed Secondary Battery Gunnery School on board USS Nevada.

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

In mid-May 1939, 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 on USS Wasp

In January 1941, 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 and Command of the Detachment

In February 1942, 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, 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: Assignment as Battalion Executive Officer

In July 1942, 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, on which Van Stockum previously served, was sunk off Guadalcanal.

November 1943: Sailed for the Bougainville Island Campaign

In November 1943, Van Stockum sailed for the forthcoming Bougainville Island campaign in the North Solomon Islands after intensive training on Guadalcanal.

December 1943: Participation in the Battle of Hellzapoppin Ridge

At the beginning of December 1943, Van Stockum participated in the Battle of Hellzapoppin Ridge on Bougainville Island and spent a night in a foxhole.

January 9, 1944: Order Back to Guadalcanal

On January 9, 1944, the 21st Regiment, including Van Stockum, was ordered back to Guadalcanal from Bougainville.

July 21, 1944: Landing on Guam

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

February 1945: Floating Reserve at Iwo Jima

In February 1945, Van Stockum's battalion was scheduled to take part in the battle of Iwo Jima, but remained in floating reserve off shore.

February 23, 1945: Observed the US Flag Raising on Mt. Suribachi

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

April 1945: Assigned as Instructor at Camp Pendleton

In April 1945, Van Stockum returned to the United States and assumed duty as an instructor with the Troop Training Unit, Pacific Fleet at Camp Pendleton, California, which he was assigned to in March 1964.

January 1947: Duty as Inspector-Instructor in Minneapolis

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

June 1948: Transferred to Reserve Battalion in New York City

In June 1948, Van Stockum was transferred to the same position as instructor, with a reserve battalion in New York City and remained in that command for one year.

June 1950: Graduation from Amphibious Warfare School

In June 1950, Van Stockum graduated from the Senior Course at the Amphibious Warfare School at Quantico, Virginia.

July 1951: Promotion to Colonel

In July 1951, Van Stockum was promoted to the rank of colonel.

July 1952: Commanding Officer of Marine Detachment

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

August 1954: Joined the Staff of the 3rd Marine Division

In August 1954, Van Stockum joined the staff of the 3rd Marine Division in Gifu, Japan, as a divisional intelligence officer (G-2).

June 1957: End of Tour at Far East Command

At the end of June 1957, Van Stockum remained in this capacity until the end of June 1957 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, Van Stockum was ordered to the instruction at the Royal Military College of Canada at Fort Frontenac in Kingston, Ontario.

July 1958: Reported to 2nd Marine Division as Deputy Chief of Staff

In July 1958, Van Stockum graduated from the Royal Military College of Canada and reported to the 2nd Marine Division as deputy chief of staff.

July 1959: Command of 8th Marine Regiment

At the beginning of July 1959, Van Stockum assumed command of the 8th Marine Regiment.

June 1960: Appointed Divisional Inspector

In June 1960, Van Stockum was appointed Divisional Inspector by Major General James P. Berkeley.

February 1961: Appointed Divisional Chief of Staff

In February 1961, Van Stockum was appointed Divisional Chief of Staff and was co-responsible for the organization of Operation Old-Timer.

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

In July 1961, Van Stockum assumed duty as director, 4th Marine Reserve and Recruitment District in Philadelphia, and received word of his nomination to the rank of brigadier general.

June 5, 1962: Director of Marine Corps Reserve

On June 5, 1962, Van Stockum relieved Brigadier General William T. Fairbourn as director, Marine Corps Reserve at Headquarters Marine Corps in Washington, D.C.

July 1, 1962: Promotion to Brigadier General

On July 1, 1962, Van Stockum was promoted to the rank of brigadier general.

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

In March 1964, Van Stockum was appointed commanding general, Landing Force Training Unit, Pacific in San Diego.

October 1964: Visit to Taiwan

In October 1964, Van Stockum was invited to Tsoying, Taiwan by Lieutenant General Yu Hao-chang, Commandant of the Chinese (Taiwan) Marine Corps.

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 responsibility was coordinating logistics for the support of the continually growing marine forces committed to 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: Completed thirty years of active service and retired

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

February 1969: Completed service on the Navy Department Board

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

1970: Settled at Allen Dale Farm

In 1970, Van Stockum settled with his family at Allen Dale Farm in Shelby County, Kentucky, and worked for 11 years as Assistant Dean for Administration at the School of Medicine, and later as Assistant to the University President, at the University of Louisville.

May 1976: Hosted President Gerald Ford

In May 1976, during his tenure with Louisville Armed Forces Committee, Van Stockum hosted President Gerald Ford during the President's visit to Louisville.