George Owen Van Orden | |
|---|---|
 BG George O. Van Orden, USMC | |
| Nickname(s) | "The Beast" |
| Born | September 9, 1906 Pensacola, Florida, US |
| Died | May 13, 1967 (aged 60) New Hope, Pennsylvania, US |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service |  United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1925–1949 |
| Rank |  Brigadier general |
| Service number | 0-4335 |
| Commands | 3rd Marine Regiment 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines |
| Battles / wars | Haitian Campaign World War II |
| Awards | Navy Cross Legion of Merit Bronze Star Medal Purple Heart |
| Other work | Gun Store Owner |
George Owen Van Orden (September 9, 1906 – May 13, 1967) was a decorated U.S. Marine brigadier general. He is most noted for his service as executive officer of the 3rd Marine Regiment during the Bougainville Campaign, where he received the Navy Cross, the United States military's second-highest decoration awarded for valor in combat. Van Orden completed his career as director of First Marine Corps Reserve District in Boston, Massachusetts.
He is considered to be the "Father of Marine Snipers" due to co-authoring in 1942 a Marine Corps report recommending adoption of the M70 rifle with Unertl 8X scope for military use (ultimately unsuccessful) and his subsequent role establishing the training program for USMC snipers.