Born: September 10, 1920
Died: September 9, 1986
Campaigns Served: Okinawa (H&S Company, 7/1)
Highest Rank Attained: Captain
Decorations:
Purple Heart
Maurice Cavanaugh was one of the original officers of Headquarters Company. He served with the HQ Section in the dual role of Chemical Officer and War Bonds Officer.
Cavanaugh fell sick in the winter of 1943; he was officially transferred to the Camp Pendleton post hospital on January 20, 1944. He never served with the Fourth Division again, but eventually was promoted to captain and became a member of the Headquarters and Service Company of the Seventh Marines, First Marine Division. He participated in the battle of Okinawa, where he took command of the company on April 5, 1945, and was wounded in action.
Maurice Cavanaugh died in Springfield one day before his sixty sixth birthday.
Captain Cavanaugh was strongly affected by the death of one of his men on Okinawa. Please click here to read his condolence letter to the family of Private William Niader.