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Unaccustomed to Fear: A Biography of the Late General Roy S. Geiger
Unaccustomed to A Biography of the Late General Roy S. Geiger (MCA Heritage Library) [Hardcover]
333 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 1968
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
July 27, 2014
General Geiger (1/25/1885 – 1/23/47) a veteran of both WWI and WWII followed his passion, lived life and excelled to become a “Giant of the Corps”.
Education was always a high priority to Geiger. Raised in a small Florida town with little family money he found a way to attend college, receive a law degree and pass the Florida bar. As a certified teacher and lawyer Geiger sought his future. In 1907 for reasons unknown Geiger enlisted in the Marine Corps with a four year commitment.
His service to America began as a common private, however with aviation in his blood he soon became a pioneer in the sky. He is one of the few to train and serve the military on land, sea and air. Historically Geiger was the 5th Marine Corps officer and 49th naval aviator to earn his wings. As an aviator he constantly pursued a well rounded military education at every turn. Awards and recognition came his way and in WWI he was bestowed with the Navy Cross for leading bombing raids. During WWII at Guadalcanal the 57 year old officer performed another bombing raid on his own. At Okinawa his army command was brief, but he was honored to become the first Marine officer to command a field army. Through time he rose to become an aviator four-star general.
Immersed in his career and “military family”, Geiger was also a family man devoted to his wife and two children. His son graduated from West Point Military Academy becoming an artillery officer, while his daughter married a Marine Corps officer. To remain active the physically stout cigar chomping man enjoyed playing polo. The author noted Geiger was gifted with intuition and extrasensory perception.
From the inception of biplanes strung with wires to metal pressurized cabin planes he both witnessed and made contributions to an exciting era. Geiger wished to expand Marine Corps aviation because “The primary reason for the Marine Corps’ having airplanes is their use in close support of ground units.” This put him at odds with army air corps officer Billy Mitchell, who promoted a separate air force. I have found it possible to appreciate the views of both Mitchell and Geiger. All of this is detailed in the biography of a highly accomplished Marine known by many as the “Old Man”.
Education was always a high priority to Geiger. Raised in a small Florida town with little family money he found a way to attend college, receive a law degree and pass the Florida bar. As a certified teacher and lawyer Geiger sought his future. In 1907 for reasons unknown Geiger enlisted in the Marine Corps with a four year commitment.
His service to America began as a common private, however with aviation in his blood he soon became a pioneer in the sky. He is one of the few to train and serve the military on land, sea and air. Historically Geiger was the 5th Marine Corps officer and 49th naval aviator to earn his wings. As an aviator he constantly pursued a well rounded military education at every turn. Awards and recognition came his way and in WWI he was bestowed with the Navy Cross for leading bombing raids. During WWII at Guadalcanal the 57 year old officer performed another bombing raid on his own. At Okinawa his army command was brief, but he was honored to become the first Marine officer to command a field army. Through time he rose to become an aviator four-star general.
Immersed in his career and “military family”, Geiger was also a family man devoted to his wife and two children. His son graduated from West Point Military Academy becoming an artillery officer, while his daughter married a Marine Corps officer. To remain active the physically stout cigar chomping man enjoyed playing polo. The author noted Geiger was gifted with intuition and extrasensory perception.
From the inception of biplanes strung with wires to metal pressurized cabin planes he both witnessed and made contributions to an exciting era. Geiger wished to expand Marine Corps aviation because “The primary reason for the Marine Corps’ having airplanes is their use in close support of ground units.” This put him at odds with army air corps officer Billy Mitchell, who promoted a separate air force. I have found it possible to appreciate the views of both Mitchell and Geiger. All of this is detailed in the biography of a highly accomplished Marine known by many as the “Old Man”.
January 11, 2023
A somewhat hagiographic biography, but the author obviously greatly admired Geiger. So do I - he was a pivotal leader in Marine Corps history. An aviator who commanded major ground combat units including an Army.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews