World War II 1941-1945 Medal of Honor Recipient
Twenty-second Commandant 1 January 1960 - 31 December 1963

David M. Shoup was born at Battle Ground, Indiana, on 30 December 1904. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Army after graduating from DePauw University in 1926, but a month later resigned and was appointed to the Marine Corps. His early career included two tours in China, sea duty on board USS Maryland, two tours at Puget Sound Navy Yard, a year with the Civilian Conservation Corps, and service with the 6th Marines in Iceland.

He was an observer with the 1st Marine Division on Guadalcanal, and in 1943, he served a similar tour with the Army's 43d Division at Rendova, New Georgia, where he was wounded. Later in that year, he was placed in command of the 2d Marines and commanded all ground troops ashore in the assault of Betio, Tarawa Atoll, 20-22 November 1943, for which he received the Medal of Honor.

After the war, Shoup served in staff assignments including one as Fiscal Director of the Marine Corps, and another as Chief of Staff. As Inspector General of Recruit Training in 1956, he recommended many of the changes in training in the aftermath of the Ribbon Creek incident. General Shoup became Commandant in January 1960.

In April 1962, Marines began limited operations in Vietnam, with helicopter units flying from Soc Trang, an abandoned airstrip south of Saigon.

General Shoup retired to Arlington, Virginia, in 1963. He died on 13 January 1983 after a long illness and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.