William H. Rupertus

William H. Rupertus
MajGen William H. Rupertus, author of the "Rifleman's Creed"
Born	(1889-11-14)November 14, 1889 Washington, D.C.
Died	March 25, 1945(1945-03-25) (aged 55) Quantico, Virginia
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	District of Columbia National Guard  United States Marine Corps
Years of service	1907–1910 (D.C. National Guard) 1913–1945 (USMC)
Rank	Major General
Unit	4th Marine Regiment
Commands held	1st Marine Division
Battles/wars	World War I Banana Wars Occupation of Haiti Second Sino-Japanese War World War II Guadalcanal campaign Battle of Tulagi and Gavutu-Tanambogo New Britain campaign Battle of Cape Gloucester Mariana and Palau Islands campaign Battle of Peleliu
Awards	Navy Cross Navy Distinguished Service Medal Army Distinguished Service Medal
Relations	Capt. Patrick Hill Rupertus USMC(Son)

World War I
Banana Wars

Second Sino-Japanese War
World War II

William Henry Rupertus (November 14, 1889 – March 25, 1945) was a major general in the United States Marine Corps and the author of the Rifleman's Creed.

Rupertus began his military career immediately after graduating high school, serving in the District of Columbia National Guard from 1907 to 1910. Originally, he intended to serve as a cutter captain in the United States Revenue Cutter Service, the earlier version of the modern U.S. Coast Guard. He was accepted to the U. S. Revenue Cutter School of Instruction on April 28, 1910. He graduated academically second in his class on May 15, 1913, but failed the physical examination. Because he was physically unqualified, he resigned from the U. S. Revenue Cutter Service on June 18, 1913.

However, his excellent marksmanship led to his being recruited by the Marine Corps. He accepted a commission in November 1913, then attended the Marine Corps Officers School, graduating first in his class of 1915. Rupertus served on the Marine Corps rifle team, earning the Distinguished Marksman badge and winning a number of shooting matches.

Rupertus was serving aboard the battleship USS Florida when the United States entered World War I and was subsequently recalled up to the U.S. to command a detachment of Marines headed for Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Rupertus served in Haiti until after the war, when he was sent to staff officer training and then made Inspector of Target Practice in the Operations and Training Division at Marine Corps Headquarters.