Louis Metzger (November 18, 1916 – July 28, 2005) was a decorated United States Marine Corps officer who attained the rank of lieutenant general. He held combat leadership roles in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam and is credited as one of the primary architects of the Marine Corps' armored vehicle force in World War II. Metzger also formed and commanded the 1st Armored Amphibian Battalion during that conflict at age 27.
Early life and education
Louis Metzger was born on November 18, 1916, in San Francisco, California to Louis M. Metzger and Lillian Baddeley Metzger. His father, Louis, was a prominent businessman and co-principal of the general brokerage firm, Metzger & Franklin, and is credited as one of the "men who made San Francisco". His father died in 1926 when Metzger was 9 years old. Metzger later attended Stanford University and was a member of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity there. He graduated with a B.A. in economics in 1939.
Military career
On July 1, 1939, Metzger accepted a commission as a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. He completed Officers' Basic School at the Basic School, Philadelphia Naval Shipyard in the summer of 1940. He subsequently joined the Marine detachment on the USS New Orleans which was located around Hawaii at the time. He later served as a company officer in infantry and tank units for the 2nd Marine Division in San Diego, California, in the summer of 1941. At the start of World War II, Metzger sailed to Samoa with the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade. He was promoted to captain in May 1942 before returning to the United States to attend the Armor School in Fort Knox, Kentucky. He was later transferred to the Tank Training Center in Camp Elliott, California and was promoted to major in April 1943.
World War II
In July 1943, at age 27, Metzger formed the 1st Armored Amphibian Battalion, and assumed command of the battalion a month later. He led the unit in battles in the Marshall Islands (Battle of Kwajalein), Guam (Battle of Guam), and Japan (Battle of Okinawa). He served as commanding officer of the battalion for 25 months. Military historians largely regard Metzger as one of the primary architects of the Marine Corps' armored vehicle force having led the first Landing Vehicle Tracked (LVT(A)) unit and written most of the armored amphibious doctrine for the vehicle's use in combat. He was also awarded the Legion of Merit with Combat "V" for his service during the Battle of Okinawa, where he volunteered to lead in the initial wave of combat on that Japanese island stronghold. In the weeks preceding the amphibious assault on Okinawa, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel.
In August 1945, Metzger was named the Chief of Staff of the Third Fleet Landing Force and was responsible for furnishing Naval forces to occupy Japan. He was given his first Navy Commendation Medal for his role as Chief of Staff. He returned to the 6th Marine Division the following month eventually assuming the role of Operations Officer. In that role, he helped facilitate the surrender and disarmament of the 32nd Japanese Army in Qingdao, China.
After returning home from the Pacific, Metzger spent three years at the Marine Corps' Division of Plans and Policies in Washington, D.C. He followed that by studying a year at the Army Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Between 1950 and 1953 he served as an instructor and supervisory instructor at the Marine Corps Schools at Quantico.
Korean War and subsequent service
In June 1953, he became the executive officer of the 1st Marine Division's Kimpo Provisional Regiment during the Korean War. He would later serve as the commanding officer of the 1st Battalion, 1st Marines in Korea. For his service there, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal.
After returning from Korea, Metzger accepted a role as assistant naval attaché at the U.S. embassy in London, England, where he stayed until June 1956. He was also promoted to colonel in 1955. Upon his return to the United States, Metzger served as branch head at Headquarters Marine Corps and eventually as executive officer of the fiscal division. He graduated from the National War College in 1960 before taking on a role as chief of staff of the 1st Marine Division at Camp Pendleton until May 1962. Subsequently, he served as assistant chief of staff at U.S. Forces Headquarters in Japan and returned to Headquarters Marine Corps in 1964 as assistant deputy chief of staff (programs). He was promoted to brigadier general in 1965. In 1966, he became the first director of the Management Analysis Group (MAG) at Headquarters Marine Corps.