Roy Stanley Geiger Biography

Geiger entered the Marine Corps as an enlisted man in 1907, two years later he received his commission and served with Marine detachments on board the USS Wisconsin and USS Delaware.

He learned to fly in 1916, becoming the Marine Corps' fifth pilot. Near the close of World War I, Geiger arrived in France, working with the Royal Air Force at Dunkerque. He led a squadron of the First Marine Aviation Force on bombing raids over France and Germany, for which he was awarded the Navy Cross.

Between the wars, Geiger proceeded through the ranks, progressing in the senority of his commands. On the eve of Pearl Harbour, Geiger was Commanding General, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, Fleet Marine Force stationed at Guadalcanal.

Under his command the unit shot down 268 Japanese planes, sank six enemy boats, including a heavy cruiser and three destroyers and damaged 18 other ships.

In 1943, the general was given command of the 1st Amphibious Corps, charged with recapturing Guam, and the southern Palau Islands. For these assaults, he was awarded two Gold Stars.

At the end of the Second World War, Geiger was Commanding General of the Fleet Marine Force, Pacific. He was promoted to full general post-humously.