EARL L. VALENTINE, JR., 2LT, USMC
Earl Valentine, Jr. '51
Lucky Bag
From the 1951 Lucky Bag:
Earl L. Valentine, Jr.
Lexington, Virginia
A Virginian gentleman with a Yankee background ... a "Brother Bat" who has forsaken the Institute to finally achieve his goal . . . U.S.M.C. . . . most emphatically can't see fly-boys as compared to a wet beach and muddy foxhole. Want a date with a queen? His soon-to-be sorry classmates know better ... he isn't known as James I, King of the Brickers, for nothing . . . set a new all-time record . . . five bricks during one weekend. Has two favorite adjectives . . . super and terrific . . . when these can't fill the bill, super-terrific is the result. Although some of his classmates will never forget those bricking parties, he's still super-terrific with them.
He was also on the Public Relations Committee, the Log Splinter staff, and the Foreign Relations Club.
Earl L. Valentine, Jr.
Lexington, Virginia
A Virginian gentleman with a Yankee background ... a "Brother Bat" who has forsaken the Institute to finally achieve his goal . . . U.S.M.C. . . . most emphatically can't see fly-boys as compared to a wet beach and muddy foxhole. Want a date with a queen? His soon-to-be sorry classmates know better ... he isn't known as James I, King of the Brickers, for nothing . . . set a new all-time record . . . five bricks during one weekend. Has two favorite adjectives . . . super and terrific . . . when these can't fill the bill, super-terrific is the result. Although some of his classmates will never forget those bricking parties, he's still super-terrific with them.
He was also on the Public Relations Committee, the Log Splinter staff, and the Foreign Relations Club.
Loss
Earl was killed in action in Korea on August 27, 1952 while a Platoon Commander of Company H, Third Battalion, First Marines. He was awarded the Navy Cross for his actions (below).
Other Information
From researcher Kathy Franz:
In 1947, Earl was a corporal in Company B at Virginia Military Institute.
His wife was the former Patricia Mulligan. His father Earl was an attorney, mother Lucille, and sister Lucille.
The News Leader, Staunton, Virginia December 6, 1952:
Lexington, Dec. 5 – Second Lieutenant Earl L. Valentine was posthumously awarded the Marine Corps Commendation Ribbon with Combat “V” Friday.
Mrs. Lucille W. Valentine, Lt. Valentine’s mother, received the medal from Captain Bruce Cunliffe, commander of the Lynchburg Marine Reserve unit, in a quiet ceremony at her home here.
Captain Cunliffe presented Mrs. Valentine a letter from General Lemuel C. Shepherd Jr., commandant of the Marine Corps.
The letter read, “I wish to assure you of my deep appreciation of the excellent service of your son, the late Second Lieutenant Earl L. Valentine Jr. U. S. Marine Corps, during operations against the enemy in Korea, from 24 March to 26 June, 1952, as evidenced by the award to you of a Letter of Commendation with Commendation Ribbon and Medal Pendant by the Commanding General, First Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force.
“I tender again my sympathy and condolence in your bereavement. The Marine Corps shares your pride in the gallant action of your son.
The citation accompanying the ribbon, signed by Major General J. T. Selden, commanding officer of the 1st Marine Division reads as follows:
“For excellent service in the line of his profession while serving with a Marine infantry battalion during operations against the enemy in Korea from 24 March to 26 June 1952. Second Lieutenant Valentine, serving as artillery forward observer, applied himself with great energy, diligence and skill to the task of coordinating the defensive fires of all support arms in the company sector.
“His quick grasp of the local situation and excellent knowledge of the principles of supporting arms enabled the company to which he was attached to gain the benefit of excellent mortar and artillery concentrations.
“He placed himself in the forward positions of the company outpost line of resistance repeatedly exposing himself to intense enemy small arms, mortar and artillery fire in order to call down and personally observe from these dangerous vantage points the results of friendly artillery and mortar fire.
“He personally covered every combat patrol conducted by the company from forward observation posts on commanding ground or personally accompanied the patrols if suitable terrain for observation was lacking.
“By his untiring efforts and his devotion to duty, he contributed immeasurably to the successful accomplishment of the company’s missions. Often working under heavy enemy fire, Second Lieutenant Valentine carried out his duties disregarding personal danger and fatigue, constantly setting example to those who worked with him and inspiring the highest degree of confidence in all who were associated with him. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.”
He is buried in Virginia.
From Hall of Valor:
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Second Lieutenant Earl Lester Valentine, Jr. (MCSN: 0-51968), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as a Platoon Commander of Company H, Third Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in the Republic of Korea on the night of 25 - 26 August 1952. Assigned the mission of restoring the company defensive perimeter when numerically superior hostile forces overran a key ridge line on the right flank, Second Lieutenant Valentine bravely led his platoon through intense enemy artillery and mortar barrages to the line of departure in preparation for a counterattack. Undeterred by persistent hostile fire, he boldly reconnoitered the terrain in the darkness, called in a mortar fire plan to the company command post to support his attack and, although wounded, moved his unit forward in the assault. At the height of the battle, he assumed a position forward of the platoon and spearheaded the attack in the face of a barrage of hostile mortar, grenade and artillery fire until he was mortally wounded. Second Lieutenant Valentine's forceful and determined leadership served to inspire his men to heroic endeavor in driving the enemy from the ridge and in restoring the company perimeter. His superb courage and valiant fighting spirit reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
General Orders: Authority: Board of Awards: Serial 301 (April 28, 1953)
Action Date: August 25 - 26, 1952
Service: Marine Corps
Rank: Second Lieutenant
Company: Company H
Battalion: 3d Battalion
Regiment: 1st Marines
Division: 1st Marine Division (Rein.)
Photographs
From the VMI yearbook
Memorials
In 1972 Earl's father established an award at the Virginia Military Institute in his name; it is "given annually to a graduating cadet who excels in leadership."
Related Articles
Morris Reisinger '51, Jerome Stuart '51, James Laramore '51, and William Phillips '51 were also graduates of the "9th Special Basic Class" who trained at Quantico from July to December 1951.
The "category" links below lead to lists of related Honorees; use them to explore further the service and sacrifice of alumni in Memorial Hall.
