William O. Brice | |
|---|---|
 William O. Brice | |
| Born | December 10, 1898 Columbia, South Carolina, United States |
| Died | January 30, 1972 (aged 73) Fort Jackson, South Carolina, United States |
| Buried | Sion Presbyterian Cemetery Winnsboro, South Carolina |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service | United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1917–1956 |
| Rank | General |
| Commands | Marine Aircraft Group 14 Director of Aviation Fleet Marine Force, Pacific |
| Battles / wars | World War I World War II Korean War |
| Awards | Navy Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit Bronze Star Medal Commander of the Order of the British Empire (New Zealand) |
William Oscar Brice, CBE (December 10, 1898 – January 30, 1972) was a United States Marine Corps General and a veteran of the Korean War, the World War II fight for the Solomon Islands and pre-war expeditionary duty in Haiti and China. He last served at Pearl Harbor as commanding general, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, after more than three years at Headquarters Marine Corps, Washington, D.C., as Director of Aviation.
The general served in Korea as assistant commander of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing from April to October 1951. In World War II, when the Marines were fighting at Guadalcanal in America's first offensive against Japan, he commanded all United States Army, Navy, Marine and Royal New Zealand Air Force search, bombing and torpedo planes based on that island. He also headed Marine Aircraft Group 14 during its support of the New Georgia and Bougainville invasions and directed all Solomons-based Army, Navy, Marine and New Zealand fighter operations against Rabaul, Japan's biggest base in the Southwest Pacific.
Brice was awarded the Navy Distinguished Service Medal for actions at Guadalcanal, the Legion of Merit with Combat "V" as head of the Fighter Command, the Air Medal for combat flights in the Solomons between December 1942 and February 1944, and appointed an Honorary Commander of the Order of the British Empire for his service with the Royal New Zealand Air Force. In addition, he earned the Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V" in the final months of the war as chief of staff, air, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific.