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Cpl David R. Evans (D.R.)
to remember
Marine MGen Jonas Mansfield Platt (Joe).
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Last Address Brooklyn
Date of Passing Jul 28, 2000
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Major General Jonas M. Platt, decorated veteran of three wars, died on July 28, 2000 at the age of 80. For meritorious service as Assistant Chief of Staff, G-1, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, from March 1968 through June 1970, his final assignment, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal.
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Born September 21, 1919 in Brooklyn, New York, he graduated from high school in Cranston, Rhode Island. He attended Norwich University in Vermont, graduating in 1940 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering, and was commissioned a Marine second lieutenant in June 1940.
While serving in the Marine Detachment aboard the battleship USS Washington during World War II, he rose from lieutenant to major, participating in Russian convoy operations in the Norwegian Sea, and six operations in the Pacific, including Guadalcanal, Tarawa, and Kwajalein. In 1944, after four months in the United States, he returned to the Pacific area. As a member of the 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division, he participated in the assault landings on Peleliu and Okinawa, earning the Navy Commendation and Bronze Star Medals, both with Combat V, and the Purple Heart.
Following the war, he organized and commanded the Provisional Marine Guard at United Nations Headquarters in New York. He later served at Headquarters Marine Corps, Washington, D.C., earned a Master's degree in Psychology at Ohio State University in 1949; and taught infantry tactics and instructional techniques at Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, Virginia, until December 1952.
During the Korean Conflict, he earned the Legion of Merit with Combat V as Commanding Officer, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, and Assistant G-3, 1st Marine Division.
During subsequent assignments, he served again at Headquarters Marine Corps; was assigned to a joint staff in London; served briefly in the Mediterranean during the Suez crisis in 1956; and from 1958-60 commanded the Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C. - the oldest Post in the Corps.
Upon graduation from the National War College in 1961, he was assigned as Regimental Commander, 6th Marines, followed by duty as Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3 2d Marine Division. During his period the Division deployed for the Cuban Crisis in October 1962.
From 1963 to 1965, he served as Commanding Officer of The Basic School, Quantico, which trains the Marine Corps new second lieutenants.
General Platt was promoted to brigadier general on November 1, 1965, while en route to Vietnam. Upon his arrival, he became Assistant Division Commander, 3d Marine Division, at Chu Lai. While serving with the Division, he commanded Task Force Delta in operations Harvest Moon, Double Eagle I, Double Eagle II and Utah. In March 1966, he moved to Danang and became Chief of Staff for Lieutenant General Walt - commander of the Marine Forces in Vietnam.
While serving in Vietnam, he was awarded three United States decorations - the Silver Star Medal, and a second and third Legion of Merit with Combat V. He was also awarded three decorations by the Government of Vietnam - the National Order of Vietnam, and two Vietnamese Gallantry Crosses with Palm.
Detached in December 1966, General Platt reported to Headquarters Marine Corps in January 1967, and was assigned duty as Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff, G-1. He was promoted to major general on March 19, 1968. He retired from active duty on June 30, 1970.
A complete list of his medals and decorations includes: the Distinguished Service Medal, the Silver Star Medal, the Legion of Merit with two Gold Stars in lieu of second and third awards, the Bronze Star Medal with Combat V, the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat V, the Purple Heart Medal, the Presidential Unit Citation with two bronze stars, the Navy Unit Commendation, the American Defense Service Medal with Fleet clasp, the American Defense Service Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with one bronze star, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with one silver star and three bronze stars, the World War II Victory Medal, the China Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal with one bronze star, the Korean Service Medal with two bronze stars, the Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze stars, the United Nations Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation, the Vietnamese National Order, two Vietnamese Gallantry Crosses with Palm, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
The primary mission of the 3d Marine Division is to execute amphibious assault operations and other such operations as may be directed. The Division is supported by Marine aviation, and force service support units and is prepared to be employed, as an integral part of a Marine Expeditionary Force in amphibious operations.
The Division is divided into the Third Marine Regiment at Kaneohe Bay, HI, the Twelfth Marine Regiment located at Camp Hansen, and the Fourth Marine Regiment at Camp Schwab. In addition, we are further broken down into a Headquarters Battalion on Camp Courtney, and a Force Recon Battalion located at Camp Schwab. The Division includes elements forward deployed under the Unit Deployment Program (UDP), reporting aboard for six month rotational training cycles.
The 3d Marine Division officially activated 16 September 1942 at Camp Elliott, San Diego, California. It was built around the 9th Marines, commanded by Colonel Lemuel C. SHEPHERD, Jr. who later became the 20th Commandant of the Marine Corps. Major General Charles D. BARRETT was the first Commanding General of the Division. By August 1943 the Division was stationed on Guadalcanal where special training and rehearsals for the Bougainville operation were intensified. On 1 November 1943 the Division landed at Empress Augusta Bay, Bougainville. For approximately two months, the Division participated in the fight against stiff and heavy enemy resistance. On 16 January 1944, with the transfer of command in the area to the Army's XIV Corps, the last elements of the Division returned to Guadalcanal.
Following the Bougainville operation the Division began training for the next campaign. Verbal instructions received in February 1944 led to planning for an operation against the Japanese on Emirau Island. The projected Emirau operation was subsequently cancelled and instructions were received to initiate planning for an operation against enemy forces at Kavieng, New Ireland. This operation was also called off. A few days later, the Division received word to start training for the amphibious assault against the Japanese on Guam, Marianas.
The Division embarked at Guadalcanal on 2 and 3 June 1944 and sailed for Kwajalein, Marshall Islands enroute to the Marianas. It remained afloat off Saipan from 15 to 28 June 1944 as part of the reserve force for the Saipan operation, then being carried out by the 2d and 4th Marine Divisions in conjunction with the 27th Infantry Division. With the situation on Saipan well controlled the Division returned to its restaging area awaiting the target date for the Guam operation.
On 21 July 1944, as a part of the Southern Troops and Landing Force, the Division landed on western beaches of Guam in the vicinity of Asan Point. After twenty days of savage fighting, the Division troops reached the northern coast of the island. On 10 August 1944 Guam was declared secure. Until its departure for the Iwo Jima campaign in the middle of February 1945, the Division remained on Guam taking part in the mopping up operations.
Initially, the Division remained afloat off Iwo Jima as Expeditionary Troops Reserve. The Division landed on 24 February, and the next morning the 3d Marine Division launched an attack in its zone between the 4th and 5th Marine Divisions. The 3d Marine Division faced well-organized and determined enemy resistance. The terrain, ideal for defense, was heavily fortified by pillboxes, caves, and covered artillery emplacements. Progress was slow and casualties heavy during the first few days of fighting. The Division slowly pushed the enemy back and by 3 March had severed the last enemy east-west artery of communication by occupying positions overlooking the sea. The 3d Marine Division secured its zone of action on 11 March and then initiated intensive patrolling and mopping-up operations. On 16 March, units of the 3d Marine Division relieved elements of the 5th Division and delivered the final attack of the Iwo Jima operation - a drive to Kitano Point. Iwo Jima was declared secure on the same day. On 4 April the 3d Marine Division was relieved by Army units.
By mid-April 1945, the Division was back on Guam preparing for the next operation. On 3 August 1945 the Division received initial plans for the "Olympic" operation which called for an amphibious landing of Kyushu about 1 November 1945. The 3d Marine Division, along with the 2nd and 5th Marine Divisions, was assigned to the V Amphibious Corps for the projected operation. Japan's agreement to cease hostilities and subsequent surrender cancelled "Olympic", and the Division remained on Guam until the date of its disbandment on 28 December 1945.
The Division was reactivated on 7 January 1952 at Camp Pendleton, California. Immediately after its activation and still in its organizational state, the Division began intensive combat training, including new tactics and maneuvers based on lessons learned in Korean War. During the remaining part of 1952 elements of the Division participated in numerous exercises and training problems, including vertical envelopment (helicopter landing), air-borne operations and attack, and defense against atomic weapons and missiles.
In August 1953 the Division arrived in Japan to support the 1st Marine Division in the defense of the Far Eastern area. In March 1956 the Division moved to Okinawa and remained there in a readiness posture until 1965.
On 6 May 1965, the 3d Marine Division opened the Marine Compound at the Danang Air Base, Vietnam. The Division operated in Vietnam from this time participating in operations from Danang to Phi Bai to Quang Tri/Dong Ha Combat Base. The Division departed Vietnam in November 1969 and moved to Camp Courtney, Okinawa, where it is presently located.
From 2004 to 2011, elements of the 3d Marine Division participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom. From March to May 2011 the Division participated in humanitarian relief efforts during Operation Tomodachi. From 2004 to present the Division remains successful fulfilling its mission in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and theater security cooperation exercises in the Pacific region. The Division continues to operate in an increasingly challenging and dynamic landscape and will be prepared to fight and win, tonight.
