Roy Stanley Geiger, known as the “Father of Marine Corps Aviation,” was born on January 25, 1885, in his family home on what is now the campus of Middleburg First Baptist Church. He served as a school teacher, principal, and lawyer before joining the Marine Corps in 1907 and receiving his commission in 1909. After tours of duty in Nicaragua, Panama, and China, he became the fifth Marine Corps Aviator in 1917. As Major Geiger, he commanded the 1st Marine Aviation Force in France during World War I. During World War II, he commanded the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing at Guadalcanal and then served as Commander of Third Marine Amphibious Corps for the invasions of Guam and Okinawa. He was promoted to Lieutenant General in July 1945 and became Commander of Fleet Marine Force, Pacific. Geiger was the most senior marine present at the Japanese surrender aboard the U.S.S. Missouri in September 1945. After his death on January 23, 1947, he was promoted to four-star general by the U.S. Congress. He is the only general in the American military to have been born and raised in Clay County, and he now rests in Arlington National Cemetery.