of 2nd Marine Division. Shofner assumed duty as commanding officer of 6th Marines in July 1957 and sailed to Turkey for Operation Deep Water, NATO naval exercise held in the Mediterranean Sea that simulated protecting the Dardanelles from a Soviet invasion, in September of that year. Retirement Shofner retired from the Marine Corps in 1959 and was advanced to the rank of brigadier general on the retired list for having been specially commended in combat. He returned to Tennessee and settled in Shelbyville. Shofner worked as an executive in insurance and finance also was active in local Republican politics, the Sons of the American Revolution and the 1st Marine Division Association. He died on November 13, 1999, and was buried at Shofner Lutheran Church Cemetery, Tennessee, together with his wife, Kathleen King Shofner (1917–1996). They had four sons: William E., Martin K. and Dr. R. Stewart, all of Nashville, and Michael M. of Shelbyville. Decorations Here is the ribbon bar of Brigadier General Austin C. Shofner: References Further reading Alan J. Levine (2000) Captivity, Flight, and Survival in World War II. Westport, CT: Praeger. External links 1916 births 1999 deaths People from Chattanooga, Tennessee University of Tennessee alumni United States Marine Corps generals American prisoners of war in World War II World War II prisoners of war held by Japan Bataan Death March prisoners United States Marine Corps personnel of World War II Recipients of the Distinguished Service Cross (United States) Recipients of the Silver Star Recipients of the Legion of Merit Quantico Marines Devil Dogs football coaches