LAHUE, FOSTER C.

Foster C. LaHue, 78, a Marine Corps lieutenant general who retired in 1974 as chief of staff at Marine headquarters here, died of respiratory failure Feb. 12 [1996] at home in Ormond Beach, Fla.

Gen. LaHue began his military career during World War II. As a platoon and company commander, he participated in combat operations at Guadalcanal, New Georgia and Admiralty Island. He was a battalion commander during the Korean War.

He later served as an aide to Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Lemuel C. Shepherd Jr. and director of the amphibious warfare school at Quantico, and he studied at the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. He received master’s degrees in business administration and personnel management at George Washington University.

He was commander of the First Marine Division in Vietnam during the war there and led the Marine units that recaptured the city of Hue during the Tet Offensive in the winter of 1968.

His military decorations included 32 medals. Among these were the Distinguished Service Medal with Gold Star, the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit, the Purple Heart, the Air Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal and the Army Commendation Medal.

Gen. LaHue was born in Corydon, Ind., and graduated from DePauw University.

Since retiring from military service, he had lived in Florida.

Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Marsha LaHue of Ormond Beach; two children, Sally LaHue Owen of Bethesda and Navy Lt. Cmdr. Laurence H. LaHue of Norfolk; and three grandchildren.