Walter Stauffer McIlhenny
Walter Stauffer McIlhenny served as president of McIlhenny Company, maker of Tabasco brand pepper sauce, from 1949 until his death in 1985. He also distinguished himself as a member of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve — receiving the Navy Cross for his actions during the Battle of Guadalcanal and retiring as a brigadier general. He was a co-founder, trustee, and president emeritus of the Marine Military Academy in Harlingen, Texas.
Military service
Having joined the Virginia National Guard in 1931 and served on its rifle team, McIlhenny transferred to the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve in 1935, attended Platoon Leaders Class, and served as captain of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve rifle team.Called to active duty when the United States became involved in World War II, McIlhenny spent 31 months in the western Pacific as a member of B Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division. At Guadalcanal, he received the Navy Cross, the Silver Star, and the Purple Heart. He also saw action at New Britain and at Peleliu, where he received a second Purple Heart.
Upon retirement from the Marine Corps Reserve, McIlhenny received a promotion to brigadier general.
McIlhenny's combat helmet, along with the captured Japanese samurai sword that dented it, are on display at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, Louisiana.
that dented it, National World War II Museum, New Orleans, Louisiana.
Business career
Despite his interest in military service, McIlhenny felt obliged to enter the family business around 1940, when he began executive training at McIlhenny Company, maker of world-famous Tabasco brand pepper sauce at Avery Island, Louisiana. McIlhenny's grandfather, Edmund McIlhenny, had invented the fiery condiment. His father, John Avery McIlhenny, had presided over the company from 1890 to 1898.World War II interrupted McIlhenny's training at McIlhenny Company, but he returned to the organization in 1946, assumed its presidency in 1949, and retained that office until his own death in 1985. During his tenure as head of the company, McIlhenny expanded and modernized the production and marketing of Tabasco brand pepper sauce and helped to mold the brand into an international culinary icon.
McIlhenny would draw on his experience with the mid-century 'C-Ration' to produce the "Charlie Ration Cookbook or No Food Is Too Good for the Man Up Front"- bundled with a 2-ounce bottle of Tabasco sauce within a waterproof container, the humorous cookbook offered recipes for the production of diverse meals from standard C-Rations, combined with Tabasco sauce and other ingredients.
Personal life
A bon vivant and gourmet, McIlhenny was closely acquainted with many luminaries of the food world, such as James Beard and Paul Prudhomme.McIlhenny was an avid hunter, participated in many big game hunts in the U.S. and Canada, and went on several African safaris and Indian shikars. A lifetime member of the National Rifle Association, he also served on the committee that oversaw the U.S. Olympic rifle and pistol team.
McIlhenny died June 22, 1985, in Lafayette, Louisiana, and was interred in a family cemetery at Avery Island, Louisiana. Unmarried, he left much of his estate to the Marine Military Academy.
Medals and decorations
A partial list of Walter S. McIlhenny's medals and decorations includes:| Navy Cross | Silver Star | Legion of Merit |
| Purple Heart w/ 1 award star | Navy Presidential Unit Citation w/ 2 service stars | American Defense Service Medal |
| American Campaign Medal | Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal w/ 4 service stars | World War II Victory Medal |
McIlhenny is also the recipient of the following marksmanship awards:
- Hilton Trophy
- Roumanian Trophy x 2
- Rattlesnake Trophy
- Bronze medal in the National Individual Rifle Match, which entitled him to the Distinguished Marksman Badge.
Navy Cross citation