Col. John Benjamin Creel Jr. (USMC Ret.)

CREEL, Col JOHN BENJAMIN, JR., USMC (Ret.), 59

Of Mt. Pleasant, SC, husband of Janet G. Creel, died October 20, 2001 in Lexington, VA. Col Creel was the son of the late 2ndLt John B. Creel, USMC, who was killed on Saipan during WWII, and Helen Creel Shanley. Col Creel attended Harwinton, CT grammar school and Torrington High School. He graduated from The Citadel in 1964 with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Business Administration. He earned his Master's of Science degree in Administrative Science from the Naval Postgraduate School in 1978. Col Creel entered the United States Marine Corps as a Second Lieutenant in 1964. His early service as an artillery officer included two tours of duty in Vietnam. During his first tour, Col Creel was wounded in action as an artillery forward observer. He later returned to Vietnam, serving from December 1968 to December 1969. From 1970-1976, he served in numerous command billets from Marine Barracks in Argentia, Newfoundland to Jacksonville, FL, as well as Security Battalion Headquarters at Camp Pendleton, CA, and the Marine Detachment at Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines. Col Creel attended numerous military schools and courses throughout his career, to include The Industrial College of the Armed Forces. While there in 1982, he earned the Joint Chiefs of Staff Award for Research and Writing. From 1979-1991, Col Creel served in various key positions that included two tours in the Manpower Department Headquarters, United States Marine Corps; Commanding Officer of 1st Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment; the Fleet Marine Force Liaison Officer to the 6th Fleet Staff in Europe; and Commanding Officer of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable). Col Creel's final assignment in the Marine Corps was as the Professor of Naval Science and Commanding Officer of the Naval ROTC Unit at The Citadel. He retired from the Marine Corps on 12 May 1993. Col Creel's personal decorations include two Silver Stars, one Legion of Merit, two Bronze Stars with Combat "V," one Purple Heart, one Meritorious Service Medal, one Navy Commendation Medal, one Combat Action Ribbon and the RVN Cross of Gallantry. Since his retirement from the Marine Corps, Col Creel was Administrator for the Solicitor, Ninth Judicial Circuit, and most recently was Law Firm Administrator for Pratt-Thomas, Epting and Walker, P.A. He was a member of the Washington Light Infantry and President of the Long Point homeowners association. Col Creel is survived by his daughter, Marlo Creel Bauer and husband Joe Bauer and grandson Jacob of Lexington, VA; his daughters, CPT Naomi B. Creel, MD, USA of Washington, DC and Loranne K. Creel of Mt. Pleasant, SC; his step-father, Lloyd Shanley, Jr. of Harwinton, CT; his sister, Nancy Schnyer and brother, William Shanley. A brother, Lloyd Shanley, III preceded him in death. Graveside services will be conducted November 14, 2001 at 3 p.m. in the Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA with Full Military Honors. In lieu of flowers, a memorial may be made in Col Creel's name to the Citadel Foundation, 171 Moultrie St., Charleston, SC 29409. Arrangements by the HARRISON FUNERAL HOME, Lexington, VA.