John T. Selden

John Taylor Selden (March 25, 1893 - May 30, 1964) was a decorated officer of the United States Marine Corps with the rank of Lieutenant General. He commanded the 1st Marine Division during the Korean War and later Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.

Early career
John Taylor Selden was born on March 25, 1893 in Richmond, Virginia. After graduation at local McGuire's University School, he enrolled at Virginia Polytechnic Institute in Blacksburg, Virginia and graduated in 1915. Selden enlisted in the Marine Corps in January 1915 and sailed for Haiti, where he participated in the jungle patrols against hostile rebels called "Cacos". He was commissioned Second lieutenant in July 1918 and served aboard USS Huntington Escort within Convoy Escort Duties in the Atlantic Ocean waters.

Selden returned to Haiti for second time for expeditionary duties in 1922 and served with Garde d'Haïti in Cap-Haïtien until 1925. He later served with 6th Marine Regiment within Yangtze patrol in Shanghai from 1927 to 1928 and later with American Legation Guard in Peking from 1930 to 1932.

After his return to the United States, Selden was stationed at Marine Barracks within Norfolk Navy Yard, before he was assigned to the 1st Marine Brigade under the command of Brigadier general Holland Smith as Brigade Personnel Officer. He participated with the 1st Brigade in extended amphibious training in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The 1st Brigade was expanded to 1st Marine Division in February 1941 and Selden was appointed Division Personnel Officer.

World War II
Selden was stationed on Hawaii within Pacific Scouting Force at the time of Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor. He subsequently served as Marine Force and Intelligence Officer aboard the heavy cruiser USS Indianapolis and aircraft carrier USS Lexington. In this capacity, Selden participated in the combats off the coast of New Guinea and New Britain and was later decorated for his service with Navy Commendation Medal with Combat "V".

He was appointed Marine Officer on staff of the Amphibious Force, Pacific in April 1942 and was promoted to the rank of Colonel in July of the same year. Selden served in this capacity until October 1942, when he was transferred to the staff of newly activated I Marine Amphibious Corps as Corps Personnel and Intelligence officer. The I Marine Corps was based first at New Caledonia under the command of Major general Clayton Barney Vogel and later participated in Guadalcanal Campaign.

In May 1943, Selden was transferred to the staff of 1st Marine Division stationed for rest and refit in Melbourne, Australia under Major general Alexander Vandegrift. He remained in that capacity until 29 July 1943, when he relieved Colonel Merritt A. Edson as Commanding Officer of 5th Marine Regiment. Selden commanded the 5th Marines during Battle of Cape Gloucester and for his leadership during the battle, he was decorated with Legion of Merit with Combat "V". He was also decorated with Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V" during this campaign.

Colonel Selden was succeeded by Colonel Oliver P. Smith on 1 March 1944 and subsequently was appointed Chief of staff of 1st Marine Division under the command of Major general William H. Rupertus. Within this capacity, Selden participated in Battle of Peleliu and was decorated with his second Legion of Merit for his efforts. He was transferred back to the United States in November 1944 and appointed Chief of Staff of Marine Training and Replacement Command in San Diego area under Major general Charles F. B. Price.

Postwar career
Selden served in San Diego until May 1946, when he was transferred to Coronado, California as Chief of Staff of Troop Training Unit of Amphibious Training Command. He then spent some time with staff of Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet, Admiral DeWitt Clinton Ramsey. Selden was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General in April 1948 and appointed Director of Marine Corps Public Information and Recruiting at Headquarters Marine Corps in Washington, D.C.

He was appointed Deputy Commander of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina in August 1949 and remained there until June 1951, when he relieved Brigadier general William S. Fellers as Commanding Officer of the Troop Training Unit within Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, California. During his service there, Selden was promoted to the rank of Major General in August 1951.

In January 1952, Major general Selden was transferred to the Korean battlefield to took command of 1st Marine Division. He succeeded Major general Gerald C. Thomas and commanded 1st Division during the massive redeployment of UN forces designed for bigger participation of the South Korean Army. For his service in this capacity, Selden was decorated with Army Distinguished Service Medal.

At the beginning of September 1952, Selden was appointed Inspector General on the staff of the U.S. Commander in Chief, Europe and remained there until November 1953, when he was ordered back to the United States for his final assignment as Commanding General of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California. He finally retired from the Marine Corps in 1955 and was advanced to the rank of Lieutenant General on the retired list for having been specially commended in combat.

Lieutenant General John T. Selden died in his native Richmond, Virginia on May 30, 1964 and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia together with his wife Glady Glover Selden (1896-1983). They had together one son, Claiborne Taylor Selden (1925-1989), who served in the United States Navy and reached the rank of Commander.

Decorations
Here is the ribbon bar of Lieutenant General John T. Selden:

Army Distinguished Service Medal citation
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Major General John Taylor Selden (MCSN: 0-877), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious service in a position of great responsibility as Commanding General, FIRST Marine Division, in Korea, from 11 January 1952 to 29 August 1952. With superb leadership and professional acuity, General Selden skillfully integrated Republic of Korea Marine Corps and provisional units, greatly augmenting the combat potential of the division, and, through the media of intensive training programs and diplomatic liaison, attained inspirational teamwork which was reflected in the operational skill and esprit de corps of the command. His brilliant exploitation and coordination of air power in support of ground operations and his use of amphibious and helicopter airborne training for Infantry and special units, were significant factors in carrying out successful offensive operations and posed an imminent threat to enemy forces beyond the main line of resistance. General Selden's mastery of tactical science, assiduous adaptation of the capabilities of the command, and exemplary achievements materially furthered the United Nations' progression toward world peace, reflecting the utmost credit on himself and upholding the esteemed traditions of the military service.