Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, under Major General James C. Breckinridge in June 1937 and held this assignment until February 1942, when he was attached back to the Headquarters Marine Corps as Assistant Quartermaster of the Marine Corps and deputy to Seth Williams. In this capacity, he was co-responsible for the support of development, production, acquisition, and sustainment of general supply, Mortuary Affairs, subsistences, petroleum and water, material and distribution management during peace and war to provide combat power to the U.S. Marine Corps units. For his new capacity, he was promoted to the rank of brigadier general in August 1942. Puryear also participated in the inspection tour of commandant Thomas Holcomb in the Pacific theater and visited Guadalcanal during the ongoing campaign in October 1942. He remained in the capacity of Assistant Quartermaster until the beginning of May 1944, when he retired from the Marine Corps after almost 39 years of active service. Puryear was decorated with the Legion of Merit for his service during World War II and advanced to the rank of major general for having been specially commended in combat. Retirement Following his retirement, general Puryear Jr. settled in Arlington, Virginia, and was active in the Marine Corps Historical Foundation, where he received a Certificate of Appreciation by Commandant Robert H. Barrow for his contributions to the Oral History Program. General Puryear died of heart attack on February 11, 1982. Puryear was married to Harriet Newell Ragland Hill until her death in March 1942. He then remarried to Elizabeth Gary (1898–1987). He had a son from first marriage, Alan Christian Puryear (1914–1986) who served as first lieutenant in the United States Army during World War II. General Puryear Jr. is buried at Hollywood Cemetery in his native Richmond, Virginia. Decorations Here is the ribbon bar of Major General Puryear Jr.: References 1884 births 1982 deaths Military personnel from Richmond, Virginia People from Richmond, Virginia United States Marine Corps generals American military personnel of the Banana Wars United States Marine Corps World War II generals United States Marine Corps personnel of World War I United States Marine Corps Quartermaster Officers Recipients of the Navy Cross (United States) Recipients of the Legion of Merit Recipients of the Croix de Guerre 1914–1918 (France) Burials at Hollywood Cemetery (Richmond, Virginia)