Harry K. Pickett

Harry Kleinbeck Pickett (January 9, 1888 – March 19, 1965) was a decorated officer of the United States Marine Corps with the rank of Major General. He is most noted for his service during the training of Marine units during World War II. He finished his career as commanding general of Troop Training Unit, Amphibious Training Command, Pacific Fleet.

Early years
Harry K. Pickett was born on January 9, 1888 in Ridgeway, South Carolina as the son of James Cason and Wilhelmina (Heins) Pickett. Following the high school in 1909, Pickett enrolled The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina. While there, he served as first Drum major of the Regimental Band, when it was organized in 1909. Pickett graduated in 1911 with the Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering and was commissioned second lieutenant in the Marine Corps on March 15, 1912.

His first assignment was at Marine Officers' School at Norfolk Navy Yard, Virginia where he underwent officer training. Upon the graduation in June 1914, Pickett was attached to the 4th Marine Regiment and sailed to Naval Station Guam. Before his regiment sailed to the Pacific, it took part in the Veracruz Expedition during the summer 1914.

Pickett then arrived to Guam and served there until August 1917. Meanwhile, he reached the rank of captain and also wittnessed the surrender and subsequent scuttling of German Merchant raider SMS Cormoran in April 1917, when United States declared the War on Germany.

Upon his arrival to the United States, Pickett served for brief period at Marine Barracks within Puget Sound Navy Yard at Bremerton, Washington. He was transferred to Marine Barracks Quantico, Virginia in January 1918 and attached to the newly activated 11th Marine Regiment. Pickett served as commanding officer of Company "B", 1st Battalion and following the temporary promotion to the rank of major on July 1, 1918, he assumed command of 1st Battalion.

His regiment was attached to 5th Marine Brigade under Brigadier General Eli K. Cole and ordered to France in October 1918. Picket and his unit arrived to late to see combat and spent the rest of the war in the towns of Issoudun and Montierchaume. After several months of occupation duties, Pickett returned to the United States in August 1919. The 11th Marines were deactivated after arrival at Naval Station Norfolk and Pickett reverted to his permanent rank of captain. He was then transferred to the Marine Barracks at Charleston Navy Yard, before he was ordered for recruiting duty in Memphis, Tennessee in September 1920.

Pickett rejoined 4th Marine Regiment in October 1921 and then sailed within 2nd Marine Brigade under Brigadier General Charles G. Long to Santo Domingo. His regiment was tasked with the support of military government and suppression of bandits under Desiderio Arias.

Following his return in June 1922, Pickett attended Field Officers' course at Marine Corps Schools Quantico and was attached to the Headquarters Marine Corps. He was promoted to the permanent rank of major on July 28, 1925 and assigned for duty with Quartermaster Department under Brigadier General Charles L. McCawley.

In June 1928, Pickett was attached to the 1st Marine Brigade and sent for expeditionary duty to Haiti. He took part in the jungle patrols against Cacos bandits and also served as an Instructor with Garde d'Haïti. Pickett returned to the United States in January 1930 and remained at Headquarters Marine Corps until July 1935. Meanwhile, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel on May 29. 1934.

He then served at Marine Corps Bases at Quantico and San Diego and completed a course at Army Coast Artillery School at Fort Monroe, Virginia. Picket was promoted to the rank of colonel on June 28, 1938.

World War II
Because of the increasing danger of Japanese expansion in Pacific during 1939, the Congress established Special Board under Admiral Arthur J. Hepburn. This board was tasked with the investigation of need of additional naval bases in Pacific. Hepburn and his board emphasized the importance of Midway Atoll, Wake Island, Johnston Atoll and Palmyra Atoll. Colonel Pickett, who served as Senior Marine Officer of 14th Naval District at the time, was tasked with the surveys of all four atolls.

In May 1940, Pickett supervised the deployment of 3rd Defense Battalion under Lieutenant Colonel Robert H. Pepper on Hawaii and ordered one of his 3-inch Anti-aircraft artillery detachments to defend Midway Atoll. In March 1941, 1st Defense Battalion under Lieutenant Colonel Bertram A. Bone also arrived on Hawaii and Pickett ordered immediately some of his detachments to the defensive positions on Palmyra and Johnston Atoll. In August of that year, he also ordered another defense detachment to Wake. These battalions consisted of the batteries with 5"/51 caliber guns, searchlight and aircraft sound locator and antiaircraft groups with M2 Browning and M1917 Browning machine guns and were ideal for the defense of the islands from the attack from the sea and air.

In addition to his duties as Marine Officer of 14th Naval District, Pickett commanded 3rd Defense Battalion from the end of August 1940 to the beginning of February 1941, when he handed over the command back to Lieutenant Colonel Pepper.

During the Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Pickett was senior officer present at the harbor and was tasked with the coordination of the marine units. He was later commended by 14th Naval District Commanding admiral, Claude C. Bloch, for his efforts during the attack. Pickett later received Legion of Merit for his service in connection with the preparation of defenses on Hawaii and other islands. Pickett was meanwhile promoted to the rank of brigadier general in January 1942.

Pickett was succeeded by Brigadier General LeRoy P. Hunt on May 19, 1943 and ordered stateside. After a brief leave at home, Pickett was ordered to Camp Elliott near San Diego, California and was tasked with the organization of the Troop Training Unit, Amphibious Training Command, Pacific Fleet at Coronado, California. This unit under his command was responsible later for the amphibious training of several marines units, including 5th Marine Division. Pickett also coordinated the amphibious training for the Army 81st Infantry Division. Pickett was later commended for his service at Coronado by Admiral Richmond K. Turner, Commander, Amphibious Forces, Pacific Fleet and also by Major General Paul J. Mueller, commander of 81st Army Division. On the basis of these commendations, he was decorated with his second Legion of Merit.

Retirement
Following the end of the War, Pickett remained in command of Troop training Unit at Coronado until July 1946, when he was succeeded again by Major General LeRoy P. Hunt. Pickett then retired from the Marine Corps after 33 years of active service and was advanced to the rank of major general for having been specially commended for performance of duty in actual combat. He was also appointed Honorary Commander of the Order of the British Empire for his service in Pacific and Coronado.

Pickett died suddenly of heart failure on March 19, 1965, in Darjeeling, India, while on the round-the-world trip with his wife, Mildred Pickett. He was survived by his wife and his son and daughter.

The Major General Harry K. Pickett Memorial Scholarship at his alma mater was dedicated to his honor. The scholarship is awarded to young men of character, who are residents of the state of South Carolina or sons of United States Marines.

Decorations
Here is the ribbon bar of Major General Harry K. Pickett: