Claudius Miller Easley

Claudius Miller Easley
Easley's memorial monument in Okinawa, Japan26°6′52.62″N 127°40′49.51″E / 26.1146167°N 127.6804194°E / 26.1146167; 127.6804194
Nickname(s)	"Speck"
Born	(1891-07-11)July 11, 1891 Thorp Springs, Texas
Died	June 19, 1945(1945-06-19) (aged 53) Okinawa, Japan
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Army
Years of service	1910–1945
Rank	Brigadier General
Unit	96th Infantry Division
Battles/wars	Pancho Villa Expedition World War I World War II Battle of Leyte Battle of Okinawa
Awards	Silver Star Legion of Merit Bronze Star Medal Purple Heart (2)

Claudius Miller Easley (July 11, 1891 – June 19, 1945) was a decorated United States Army officer with the rank of Brigadier General who was killed at the Battle of Okinawa.

Early career

Claudius Easley was born on July 11, 1891 in small village of Thorp Spring, Hood County, Texas as the eldest son of Alexander Campbell Easley and his wife Claudia Miller.^[1] His family later moved with to Waco, Texas at very young age. He subsequently attended local Waco High School, where he graduated in 1911. During his time at high school, Easley enlisted the Texas National Guard and participated in Rifle-marksmanship competition at Camp Perry, Ohio. He was later commissioned a Second Lieutenant on July 11, 1912.

He later attended the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas and graduated in 1916 with a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering Degree. With the graduation from College, Easley decided for active service in the Army. He served first with Texas National Guard on Mexican Border and while he was commissioned in the Regular Army in 1917, he remained for further border patrol duties with 37th Infantry Regiment.^[2]

Easley was then sent to United States Army Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia, where he graduated from the Advanced Infantry Course in 1919.^[3]

In 1921, Easley was transferred to Philippines, where he was assigned to the 31st Infantry Regiment stationed at Fort William McKinley. He served three-year tour of duty in Manila, before he returned to the United States. He also attended the Command and General Staff School at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas in 1925. He was subsequently assigned to 4th Infantry Regiment at Fort George Wright, Washington. It was followed by short period of duties with 30th Infantry Regiment at Presidio of San Francisco, California.^[4]

In 1930, he was appointed an Instructor in the Weapons Section of the Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia and served in this capacity until 1934. He was later appointed a Commanding officer of the Los Angeles District of the Civilian Conservation Corps. As an avid and experienced marksman, Easley served as Captain of the Infantry Rifle and Pistol Teams during the years 1937-1939. He was subsequently ordered for studies at Army War College in Washington, D.C. and graduated in 1940.^[5]

World War II

After his graduation, Easley remained in Washington, D.C., because he was assigned to the War Department General Staff, where he was responsible for the Storage Section of Requirements and Distribution branch of the Supply Division. He stayed there until February 1942, when he was transferred to Camp Claiborne, Louisiana, where he was appointed a Commanding officer of the 325th Infantry Regiment.^[6]

Easley was transferred to the Camp Adair, Oregon, where he was appointed Assistant Division Commander of the 96th Infantry Division. He was also promoted to the rank of Brigadier General.

General Easley personally supervised the 96th Division's marksmanship training and helped to keep the high level of markmanship. Thus division gained the nickname "Deadeyes". Easley also participated in the Oregon Maneuver during the fall of 1943. The 96th Division was sent to Hawaiian Islands in July 1944 for preparation for landing in Philippines. General Easley subsequently went ashore during the Battle of Leyte and was wounded by enemy sniper fire. He was later decorated with Legion of Merit for meritorious conduct and leadership and Bronze Star Medal for gallantry in action.

Easley remained in command and later participated in the Battle of Okinawa. He was decorated with Silver Star for gallantry in action. During the final phase of the battle, Easley personally directed fire on last enemy positions. When checked the situation, he was hit in the forehead by enemy sniper fire on June 19, 1945.^[7] He was the second General officer killed in action during one week on Okinawa. He was buried at Okinawa, but later reburied at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia.^[8]

He was survived by his wife Inez Wickline (1895-1979) and his son Claudius Miller Easley, Jr. (1918–2006),^[9] who served as Lieutenant Colonel with Sixth Army. On April 21, 1946, Easley was posthumously awarded a Doctorate of Laws by AMC.

Decorations

Here is Brigadier general Easley´s ribbon bar:^{[10] [11]}

External links

• Arlington National Cemetery Bio - http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/cmeasley.htm
• Generals from USA - http://www.generals.dk/general/Easley/Claudius_Miller/USA.html

References