Born October 31, 1921, in Baltimore, Maryland, William Francis Doehler completed his schooling at St. Martin's School and the Baltimore Polytechnic Institute in 1939. He enlisted in the U. S. Marine Corps, November 1, 1939, and was a corporal aboard the USS WASP when he was appointed to the U. S. Naval Academy in June 1941. Upon graduation three years later, he was commissioned a Marine second lieutenant, June 4, 1944. He subsequently received his M.S. degree from George Washington University, September 30, 1969.
During World War II, he saw combat with the 1st Marine Division, FMF, Pacific, serving as a platoon commander, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, during the Okinawa campaign. He earned his first Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V" while participating in combat on Okinawa. Following the war, he served as Battalion Adjutant and, later, Company Commander with the 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, in Tientsin, China.
Upon his return to the United States, Lieutenant Doehler saw a three-year tour of duty as Aide-de-Camp to the Commanding General, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, California. He completed the Junior School, Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, Virginia, in September 1950, the Special Warfare Course in Ft. Benning, Georgia that December, then returned to Quantico to serve as Platoon Commander and Company Executive Officer with the 2d Battalion, Special Training Regiment, Marine Corps Schools, until September 1951. He was promoted to captain in June 1951.
Captain Doehler next reported to Headquarters Marine Corps for duty as Assistant Infantry Monitor, Ground Officer Control Unit, Personnel Department.
During the Korean conflict, Captain Doehler joined the 1st Marine Division in Korea in September 1952, and took part in combat as a rifle company commander with the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, and as Division Anti-Tank Officer, respectively. A Gold Star in lieu of his second Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V" was awarded him during his service in Korea.
After his return to the United States, he completed the Infantry Officer Advanced Course in Ft. Benning, Georgia, in July 1954, then reported to Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, Virginia, for duty as Chief, Weapons Group, and Student Company Commander. While stationed there, he was promoted to major in December 1954.
In July 1957, Major Doehler began a three-year assign-ment in Beirut, Lebanon, as Officer in Charge of the Marine Security Guards at the American Embassy. Returning to the United States in 1960, he became Operations and Training officer and, later/ Executive Officer of the Marine Barracks in Washington, D. C. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel, July 1, 1960.
From August 1962 until December 1963, Colonel Doehler was Aide-de-Camp to the Commandant of the Marine Corps. In January 1964, he was assigned duty with the 2d Marine Division, FMF, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, serving, consecutively, as Assistant G-2, Executive Officer of the 6th Marines, and as Bn Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion, 6th Marines. During this period, he participated in the Dominican Republic crisis, and earned a Gold Star in lieu of a third Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V".
Colonel Doehler was ordered to the Republic of Vietnam in November 1965. For his service as Chief of Staff, Task Force Delta and subsequently as Plans Officer and Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3, 3d Marine Division, he was awarded the Legion of Merit with Combat "V" and one Gold Star in lieu of a second Legion of Merit. He was promoted to colonel, June 21, 1966.
Colonel Doehler returned to the United States in December 1966, and was assigned duty as Executive Officer, The Basic School, Marine Corps Development and Education Command, Quantico, Virginia. He entered the National War College in Washington, D.C., in August 1968. Upon completion of the course in July 1969, he was assigned to the Office of the Special Assistant For Counterinsurgency and Special Activities, Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Washington, D.C. After his advancement to the rank of brigadier general, September 3, 1969, he was assigned duty as Deputy Chief of Staff (Administration), at Headquarters Marine Corps, serving in this capacity until -the following December.
In February 1970, General Doehler returned to South -Vietnam for a second tour of duty. He served as Assistant Division Commander, 1st Marine Division until the following July, earning a Gold Star in lieu of a third Legion of Merit with Combat "V", then as Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff J-3, United States Military Assistance Command (MACV). He assumed his current assignment in September 1971.
A complete list of his medals and decorations include: the Legion of Merit with Combat "V" and Gold Stars in lieu of second and third awards; the Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V" and Gold Stars in lieu of second and third awards; the Presidential Unit Citation; two Navy Unit Commendations; the American Defense Service Medal; the American Campaign Medal; the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with one bronze star; the World War II Victory Medal; the Navy Occupation Service Medal; the China Service Medal; the National Defense Service Medal with one bronze star; the Korean Service Medal with three bronze stars; the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; the Vietnam Service Medal with four bronze stars; the United Nations Service Medal; the Korean Presidential Unit Citation; and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
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