Bennet Puryear Jr. (January 9, 1884 – February 11, 1982) was a highly decorated officer of the United States Marine Corps with the rank of major general. During his service in World War I, he was decorated with the Navy Cross, the United States military's second-highest decoration awarded for valor in combat. Puryear spent his career mostly in Quartermaster Department of the Marine Corps beginning in the field assignments, ultimately reaching the general's rank and capacity of the Assistant Quartermaster of the Marine Corps and deputy to Seth Williams. Early career Bennet Puryear Jr. was born on January 9, 1884, in Richmond, Virginia, as the son of Professor of Natural Science at Richmond College, Bennet Puryear and his wife Ella. He attended local schools in his hometown and also received additional schooling by his father and by his older brother Charles, who worked as professor of mathematics. Puryear enrolled the Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, and was member of the Corps of Cadets until he left the school before graduation in September 1905. He subsequently entered the Marine Corps service and was commissioned second lieutenant on September 12, 1905. Puryear was subsequently ordered to the School of Application at Annapolis, Maryland, for further officer training, which he completed in September 1906. He was subsequently attached to the Marine Expeditionary Force and sailed to Cuba in order to suppress armed revolt of independence war veterans who defeated the meager government forces. Puryear remained in Cuba for more than two years and was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant in May 1908. Upon his return to the United States in January 1909, he was appointed an instructor at Marine Officers School at Port Royal, South Carolina, and taught gunnery until April 1911. During his tenure there, some of his students included Alexander Vandegrift, Roy S. Geiger or Julian C. Smith. Puryear was promoted to the rank of captain in April 1911 and joined Depot of Supplies, Philadelphia as Assistant Quartermaster. Puryear sailed with 1st Marine Brigade to Cavite, Philippine Islands, and was stationed there until May 1914. He returned to the United States and following the brief leave, he was attached to the Marine barracks at Mare Island Navy Yard, California as post quartermaster. World War I Following the declaration of War on Germany in April 1917, Puryear was transferred to Quantico and promoted to the temporary rank of