Middleburg in Clay County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
General Roy Stanley Geiger, United States Marine Corps
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, March 24, 2017
1. General Roy Stanley Geiger Marker
Inscription.
General Roy Stanley Geiger, United States Marine Corps. . Roy Stanley Geiger, the “Father of Marine Corps Aviation,” was born on January 25, 1885, in his family home on what is now the campus of Middleburg First Baptist Church. He served as a school teacher, principal, and lawyer. Geiger joined the Marine Corps in 1907 and was commissioned in 1909. After tours of duty in Nicaragua, Panama, and China, he became the fifth Marine Corps Aviator in 1917. Major Geiger commanded the 1st Marine Aviation Force in France during world war one. During world war two, he commanded the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing at Guadalcanal and was named Commander of Third Marine Amphibious Corps for the invasion of Guam and Okinawa. He was promoted to Lieutenant General in July 1945 and was named Commander of Fleet Marine Force, Pacific. General Geiger was the most senior marine present at the Japanese surrender on board the U.S.S. Missouri in September 1945. Following his death on January 23, 1947, Geiger was promoted to four-star general by the U.S. Congress. General Geiger is the only general in the American military to be born and raised in Clay County. An icon in Marine Corps history, General Roy Geiger now rests in Arlington National Cemetery.
Roy Stanley Geiger, the “Father of Marine Corps Aviation,” was born on January 25, 1885, in his family home on what is now the campus of Middleburg First Baptist Church. He served as a school teacher, principal, and lawyer. Geiger joined the Marine Corps in 1907 and was commissioned in 1909. After tours of duty in Nicaragua, Panama, and China, he became the fifth Marine Corps Aviator in 1917. Major Geiger commanded the 1st Marine Aviation Force in France during WWI. During WWII, he commanded the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing at Guadalcanal and was named Commander of Third Marine Amphibious Corps for the invasion of Guam and Okinawa. He was promoted to Lieutenant General in July 1945 and was named Commander of Fleet Marine Force, Pacific. General Geiger was the most senior marine present at the Japanese surrender on board the U.S.S. Missouri in September 1945. Following his death on January 23, 1947, Geiger was promoted to four-star general by the U.S. Congress. General Geiger is the only general in the American military to be born and raised in Clay County. An icon in Marine Corps history, General Roy Geiger now rests in Arlington National Cemetery.
Erected 2014 by The Clay County Historic Preservation Board,the Clay County Board of County Commissioners, and the Florida Department of State. (Marker
Location. 30° 3.81′ N, 81° 52.344′ W. Marker is in Middleburg, Florida, in Clay County. Marker is on Blanding Boulevard (Florida Route 21) west of Parsonage Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2645 Blanding Blvd, Middleburg FL 32068, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 22, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 3, 2017, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 684 times since then and 57 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on April 3, 2017, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
