vilxv00017A Guide to the Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr. Papers, 1913-1970 MS.0006Virginia Military Institute Archives

© 2002 Virginia Military Institute

VMI ArchivesPreston LibraryLexington, VA 24450Business Number: 540-464-7516archives@vmi.eduURL:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2026-04-22 07:01:54 -0400.English Virginia Military Institute Archives Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr. papers Shepherd, Lemuel C., Jr. (Lemuel Cornick), 1896-1990 MS.0006 /repositories/3/resources/602 6 cubic feet 1913-1990 Manuscripts stacks English Scope and Contents

The Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr. papers consist primarily of the following:

  • Unpublished memoirs and accompanying documents
  • Photograph albums and scrapbooks dating from Shepherd's years as a VMI cadet, as Commandant of the United States Marine Corps, and from his service as President of the Inter-American Defense Board
  • An interview with Shepherd conducted by the archivist of the MacArthur Library regarding Shepherd's role during the Korean War, assault at Inchon
  • Correspondence
  • Clippings
  • Certificates and resolutions
  • Printed material
The unpublished memoirs include detailed information about Shepherd's early Marine Corps career and his participation in World War I. They include copies of his World War I diary and personal correspondence.

 Biographical / Historical

Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr. (1896-1990) was a United States Marine Corps four-star general, and saw distinguished service in World War I, World War II, and the Korean War. He was appointed the 20th Commandant of the Marine Corps in 1952.

1896 February 10 Born in Norfolk, Virginia 1917 May Graduated from the VMI. Shepherd, along with many other classmates, were declared graduates a month early, having been called into active duty. 1917-1919 Served with the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, American Expeditionary Forces, France 1920-1922 Aide to the Commandant of the Marines Corps Junior White House aide 1922 Married Virginia Tunstall Driver and the couple had four children. 1922-1925 Served on United States ships Idaho and Nevada 1927-1929 Served with the 4th Marines in China 1937-1939 Commander, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Brigade, Fleet Marine Force 1939-1942 Staff member, Marine Corps School 1942-1943 Regimental Commander, 9th Marines, 3rd Marine Division 1943-1944 Assistant Division Commander, 1st Marine Division 1944-1945 Commanding General, 6th Marine Division 1946-1948 Assistant Commandant and Chief of Staff, Marine Corps 1948-1950 Commandant, Marine Corps Schools 1950-1951 Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific 1952-1956 Commandant, Marine Corps 1956 January 1 Retired from Marine Corps 1956 March Recalled to active duty Chairman, Inter-American Defense Board, 1956-1959 1959 October Retired from active duty for second time 1990 August 6 Died at his home in La Jolla, California, and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia. Online Access

Lemuel C. Shepherd Jr.'s World War I memoirs, diary, and letters are available online.

 Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions.

 Conditions Governing Use

Manuscript collections in the VMI Archives are made available for educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information.

 Preferred Citation

Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr. papers, 1913-1990. MS 0006. VMI Archives, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia.

 Related Materials

Other repositories holding papers relating to Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr. include the United States Marine Corps History Division (Quantico, Virginia).

 Existence and Location of Originals

The memoirs and addenda were copied from originals that are no longer extant, according to family sources. The Shepherd family believes that the originals once held by Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr. were lost following his death.

 United States. Marine Corps—Officers—Biography Generals—United States—Biography World War, 1939-1945 Inter-American Defense Board Scrapbooks Photographs World War, 1914-1918 United States. Marine Corps—History—World War, 1939-1945 Correspondence/repositories/3/archival_objects/164320 items1944-1946EnglishScope and Contents

Correspondents and topics include:

  • Mobert Bonhomme
  • Nagano Eiji (Japanese General)
  • Chaplain W. F. McClain
  • Mrs. Lemuel C. Shepherd
  • Guam Liberation Day
  • A form letter for the sympathy message sent to parents of soldiers killed in action

Oral history interview transcripts/repositories/3/archival_objects/43342 items1966-1967EnglishScope and Contents

Transcripts of two oral history interviews conducted during 1966 and 1967. One covers Lemuel C. Shepherd's entire career while the other covers the Korean War and the Battle of Inchon.

Oral historiesInterview transcript covering the Korean War/repositories/3/archival_objects/16441966 August 24EnglishScope and Contents

Transcript of an oral history interview conducted by the archivist at the MacArthur Library, regarding Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr.'s role during amphibious assault at Inchon (South Korea) during the Korean War.

Korean War, 1950-1953—Campaigns—Korea (South)—InchonKorean War, 1950-1953—Personal narratives, AmericanInterview transcript covering Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr.'s military career/repositories/3/archival_objects/43351966-1967EnglishConditions Governing Use

This item must be read in person and may not be reproduced. For copies, contact the United States Marine Corps History Division (Quantico, VA).

Existence and Location of Originals

The original recordings and transcript were created and are held by the United States Marine Corps History Division.

World War, 1939-1945World War, 1914-1918Korean War (1950-1953)Korean War, 1950-1953—Campaigns—Korea (South)—InchonSpeeches/repositories/3/archival_objects/16451944-1945EnglishScope and Contents

Talks given to troops and officers.

Speeches, Addresses, etc.Military orders/repositories/3/archival_objects/16469 items9 items in 2 folders1918-1945EnglishOrders (military records)Report/repositories/3/archival_objects/16491945 SeptemberEnglishScope and Contents

A report on Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr.'s trip to Japan.

World War, 1939-1945Allied Occupation of Japan (1945-1952)JapanWorld War II subject file/repositories/3/archival_objects/1650EnglishScope and Contents

Notes concerning origin of Japanese sword of surrender, a circular, Japanese propaganda, and a citation for distinguished service medal.

PropagandaCircular lettersMilitary decorationsScrapbooks/repositories/3/archival_objects/16471913-1955EnglishVMI cadet scrapbook/repositories/3/archival_objects/16521913-1917EnglishScope and Contents

Scrapbook compiled by Lemuel C. Shepherd during his VMI cadetship. Includes photographs and memorabilia for the period 1913-1917.

Virginia Military Institute—Cadet life—1910-1919Virginia Military Institute—Class of 1917Virginia Military Institute—ScrapbooksPre-World War II career scrapbook/repositories/3/archival_objects/16531920-1939EnglishScope and Contents

Primarily clippings. The scrapbook also contains some memorabilia, including invitations from Mrs. Roosevelt and a thank you note signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

United States Marines in World War II scrapbook/repositories/3/archival_objects/1654EnglishScope and Contents

Primarily newspaper clippings concerning Guam and New Britain.

World War, 1939-1945World War, 1939-1945—PacificWorld War II, 6th Marine Division scrapbook/repositories/3/archival_objects/1655EnglishScope and Contents

Primarily clippings concerning Okinawa (Japan) and limited memorabilia.

World War, 1939-1945Japanese inspection trip scrapbook/repositories/3/archival_objects/16561955 AprilEnglishScope and Contents

Includes clippings, postcards, photographs, and printed materials.

JapanMilitary insignia of French Colonial Troops scrapbook/repositories/3/archival_objects/16571955 AprilEnglishScope and Contents

A collection of approximately 35 metal insignias.

Photographs and photo albums/repositories/3/archival_objects/16481945-1959EnglishVisit to Korea photograph album/repositories/3/archival_objects/43311953EnglishBiographical / Historical

"From the officers and men of the First Marine Division, FMF"

Scope and Contents

Contains photographs with detailed captions commemorating General Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr.'s visit to Korea.

Korean War (1950-1953)United States. Marine Corps—Marine Corps. Division, 1stKoreaInter-American Defense Board trip photo album/repositories/3/archival_objects/16621956-1959EnglishScope and Contents

Contains photos of Argentina, Bolivia, Cuba, Haiti, Paraguay, and Peru.

Inter-American Defense BoardPeruvian submarines launching ceremonies photographs/repositories/3/archival_objects/43321957 February 5EnglishDouglas MacArthur at Pearl Harbor photographs/repositories/3/archival_objects/16591951 April 16-17EnglishMacArthur, Douglas, 1880-1964Surrender Ceremony in Tsingtao, China photographs/repositories/3/archival_objects/16581945 October 25EnglishWorld War, 1939-1945Marine Corps inspection of United States forces trip photographs/repositories/3/archival_objects/16601953-1955EnglishScope and Contents

Includes photographs from visits to Korea, Yokosura Marine Barracks, Camp Pendleton, and 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing in Miami, Florida.

Marines Corps trip photographs/repositories/3/archival_objects/16611955 MarchEnglishScope and Contents

Includes photographs from trips to Argentina and Brazil.

Memoirs and related documents/repositories/3/archival_objects/43331 itemsApproximately 400 pages in 1 binder1913-1959EnglishScope and Contents

One three ring binder containing a copy of the typescript of "My Memoirs," the unpublished autobiography of General Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr., along with copies of related documents.

"Volume I" (written circa 1964) of the autobiography provides a detailed narrative beginning with Shepherd's early life, VMI cadetship, entrance into the United States Marine Corps and early training, a thorough account of his combat service in France during World War I, and activities in the immediate post-War period through 1920. The emphasis is on a detailed account of his World War I service. This narrative is accompanied by related documents, including the typescript of a diary kept during the early part of World War I (August 1917-March 1918), letters written home during the War, and other documents.

"Volume II" relates to the post-World War I era (1921 and foward). It contains fewer pages of narrative; most of this section consists of documents, records of citations, articles, clippings, and correspondence.

World War, 1914-1918World War, 1914-1918—Personal narratives, AmericanMemoirsDiariesUnited States. Marine Corps—Marine Regiment, 5th—Battalion, 2ndBelleau Wood, Battle of, France, 1918United States. Army—American Expeditionary ForcesChâteau-Thierry, Battle of, Château-Thierry, France, 1918Printed materials/repositories/3/archival_objects/1651EnglishScope and Contents

Includes various pamphlets, magazines, and yearbooks, most relating to the United States Marine Corps during World War II.

Certificates and resolutions/repositories/3/archival_objects/49724 itemsEnglish7Scope and Contents

Certificates and resolutions presented to General Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr. by various organizations.