General Roy Stanley Geiger, United States Marine Corps
Posted by: 
Markerman62
N 30° 03.802 W 081° 52.338
17R E 415920 N 3326127
Located on FL 21 (Blanding Blvd) north of CR 218-2645 Blanding Blvd.
Waymark Code: WMTEZ9
Location: Florida, United States
Date Posted: 11/13/2016
Views: 6
Roy Stanley Geiger, the “Father of Marine Corps Aviation,” was born on January 25, 1885, in his family home on what is now the campus of Middleburg First Baptist Church. He served as a school teacher, principal, and lawyer. Geiger joined the Marine Corps in 1907 and was commissioned in 1909. After tours of duty in Nicaragua, Panama, and China, he became the fifth Marine Corps Aviator in 1917. Major Geiger commanded the 1st Marine Aviation Force in France during WWI. During WWII, he commanded the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing at Guadalcanal and was named Commander of Third Marine Amphibious Corps for the invasion of Guam and Okinawa. He was promoted to Lieutenant General in July 1945 and was named Commander of Fleet Marine Force, Pacific. General Geiger was the most senior marine present at the Japanese surrender on board the U.S.S. Missouri in September 1945. Following his death on January 23, 1947, Geiger was promoted to four-star general by the U.S. Congress. General Geiger is the only general in the American military to be born and raised in Clay County. An icon in Marine Corps history, General Roy Geiger now rests in Arlington National Cemetery.
Marker Number: F-840
Date: 2014
County: Clay
Marker Type: Roadside
Sponsored or placed by: The Clay County Historic Preservation Board, The Clay County Board of County Commissioners, and the Florida Department of State
Website: Not listed
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