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‘Memory of the Corps’ dies at 85

Retired Brig. Gen. Edwin H. Simmons, a historian who was called “the collective memory of the Marine Corps,” died May 5 of heart disease at his home in Alexandria, Va.

He was 85.

Simmons, director emeritus of Marine Corps History and Museums, was author of its official history and several other books about the exploits of leathernecks through the ages, and also a heavily decorated combat vet.

“Both his military and historical careers probably are going to be very hard to repeat,” said Charles Melson, chief historian of the Marine Corps, who described himself as a disciple of Simmons in and out of uniform. Melson called Simmons the “collective memory of the Marine Corps,” someone other general officers consulted for his vast knowledge and experience.

Born in 1921, Simmons was commissioned in 1942.

His many uniformed exploits included fighting on Guam during World War II; landing at Inchon and participating in the Chosin Reservoir campaign during the Korean War; and commanding 9th Marines in Vietnam, where he served two tours.

He was decorated dozens of times; his awards included the Silver Star and the Distinguished Service Medal.

Simmons’ academic background was in journalism — in which he had bachelor and master’s degrees — and Melson said that perspective informed Simmons’ emphasis on producing readable, engaging histories, as opposed to more fusty, academic stuff. But that didn’t mean he sacrificed accuracy, Melson said.

“He wasn’t given to telling sea stories and inflating things. He laid it out.”

His best-known work, “The United States Marines: A History” (1974), remains a standard reference text.

He retired in 1978 but continued to serve the Marine Corps as a civilian in his old position.