Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel Oliver M. Whipple, Jr. (MCSN: 0-76023), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Assistant Chief of Staff, Manpower from July 1986 to July 1987 and as Deputy Chief of Staff/Command Inspector, Marine Corps Combat Development Command (CCDC), Quantico, Virginia, from July 1987 through June 1988. As the Assistant Chief of Staff, Manpower, Colonel Whipple markedly improved the level of performance provided to the Command by the multifaceted Manpower Department. His foresight and intense efforts resulted in significantly enhancing support in a multitude of areas including the order writing process utilized by the Military personnel Division, summer augmentation personnel procedures, selection of drill instructors for Officer Candidates School, the Separation Information and Pre-Retirement programs of the Human Resources Division, retention of quality Marines, and the base off-duty education program. As the Deputy Chief of Staff/Command Inspector during a period marked by a high tempo of operations and a major Commandant of the Marine Corps directed reorganization and re-tasking of the Command, Colonel Whipple effectively utilized his outstanding organizational abilities and managerial expertise in re-shaping, re-designing, and expanding the Command inspection program to cover all areas of the newly reorganized and re-named Command. Additionally, he established excellent avenues of communication and cooperative working relationships throughout the Command which immeasurably enhanced the responsiveness of the Staff as well as subordinate organization activities to support he MCCDC mission. By his superior professionalism, personal integrity, and steadfast devotion to duty, Colonel Whipple reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Major

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion

    Regiment:

    9th Marines

    Division:

    3d Marine Division (Rein.), FMF

    Action Date:

    March 16, 1967

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major Oliver M. Whipple, Jr. (MCSN: 0-76023), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Commanding Officer, Company F, Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in Thanh Lam (2), Republic of Vietnam on 16 March 1967. While conducting a search and destroy mission, the rear security platoon of Company F was taken under devastating .50 caliber machine gun and small-arms fire from fortified positions, before reaching the cover of a village. The enemy had the second platoon pinned down with interlocking machine gun fire, which inflicted numerous casualties. In the initial burst of enemy fire, Major (then Captain) Whipple moved from the forward portion of the company into the exposed rice paddy. Quickly assessing the situation, he moved to a trenchline and then to a hedgerow to direct his men’s fire into the enemy positions. With complete disregard for his own safety, Major Whipple called in artillery on the enemy as the enemy fire erupted all around him. Observing a wounded Marine, Major Whipple raced to his side and dragged the man through the hail of enemy fire to a covered position. Assured that everything possible was being done for the wounded man, Major Whipple returned to his dangerously exposed position and directed artillery and air strikes against the enemy’s fortified positions. Throughout the four and one half hour battle, Major Whipple exposed himself to the intense enemy fire again and again to direct his men’s fire and assist the besieged second platoon. By his bold initiative, gallant fighting spirit and loyal devotion to duty, Major Whipple was instrumental in defeating an estimated battalion of North Vietnamese Army soldiers, thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps and upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.