Brigadier General Maurice Dana Tawes, 98, of Crisfield, died Sunday, June 2, 2013 at Hartley Hall Nursing Home in Pocomoke City.

Born in Crisfield on July 9, 1914, he was a son of the late John Maurice and Leila Beatrice Dana Tawes. His wife, Lois Dize Tawes, preceded him in death on July 10, 1989.

General Tawes had a great love for his military service and his country. He began his military career in July 1931 when he enlisted as a private in Company L, 115th Infantry, 29th Infantry Division. He was appointed second lieutenant on 16 August 1940, Maryland Army National Guard. On 3 February 1941, he entered Federal service and served continuously during World War II with the 3d Battalion, 115th Infantry of the 29th Infantry Division. His assignments included Battalion S-3, and he participated in the D-Day Landing on Omaha Beach. He was promoted to first lieutenant on 19 August 1941, and to captain on 12 May 1943. He was released from active duty on 1 December 1945, and was assigned to the Officer Reserve Corps until 15 December 1946. General Tawes rejoined the Maryland National Guard in the grade of major on 16 December 1946, with assignment as Battalion Executive Officer, Headquarters, 3rd Battalion, 115th Infantry, 29th Infantry Division. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel and assigned as Battalion Commander, 3rd Battalion, 115th Infantry, on 4 December 1948. On 1 March 1959, he was assigned as Commanding Officer, 3rd Battle Group, 115th Infantry, and promoted to colonel on 5 August 1959. On 1 March 1963, he was assigned as Brigade Commander, 1st Brigade, 29th Infantry Division, and served in that capacity until 22 November 1963. On 1 October 1964, he was assigned as Assistant Division Commander, 29th Infantry Division, with Federal recognition as brigadier general of the Line effective 17 December 1964. Upon reorganization of the Maryland Army National Guard in January 1968, General Tawes was reassigned as Assistant Division Commander, 28th Infantry Division until he retired 17 December 1969.

Throughout General Tawes' 38 years of military service he received the Bronze Star, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African –Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with arrowhead and four stars, World War II Victory Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with two 10-year devices, Combat Infantry Badge, Distinguished Unit Citation, French Croix-De-Guerre with Palm, and the Army Legion of Merit. In 1989, the armory in Crisfield was dedicated in his honor, and became the Gen. Maurice D. Tawes Armory.

His memberships include the World War II Memorial Commission, 29th Division Association, National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, National Guard Association of Maryland, Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church, Stanley Cochrane Post #16 American Legion, V.F.W. Post #8274, and the former Crisfield Rotary International Club in which he was a Paul Harris Fellow.

General Tawes also founded the Tawes family businesses, Tawes Brothers Buick GMC, J.P. Tawes & Brothers, and Tawes Brothers Oil Company. He remained active in the family businesses until he was no longer physically able.

He is survived by his daughter, Stephanie Tawes Fykes and husband Larry of Pocomoke City; one granddaughter, Sarah Elizabeth Fykes of Pocomoke City; a brother, Robert L. Tawes and wife Elsie of Crisfield; nephews, John P. Tawes, III and wife Jenny, Robert M. Tawes and wife Bonnie, and George D. Tawes and wife Pat, and their families, all of Crisfield; his special caretaker, Nellie Hinman of Crisfield; and caregivers, Christine Marshall, Carol Tyler, Cynthia Sterling and Lisa Tyler.

Along with his parents and his wife, he was preceded in death by a brother, John P. Tawes; and two sisters-in-law, Margaret Lee Tawes and Hildred Ruark.

A viewing will be Wednesday, June 5, 2013 from 7-9 PM at Bradshaw & Sons Funeral Home in Crisfield. Funeral services officiated by Rev.'s Olivia Costango and Chuck Jacobson will be held Thursday, June 6, 2013 at 2 PM at Mt. Pleasant U. M. Church. Interment with full military honors will follow in St. Paul's Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Mt. Pleasant U. M. Church, 39 W. Main Street, Crisfield, MD 21817 or to the Arthritis Foundation, P.O. Box 96280 Washington, DC 20077. www.arthritis.org

Arrangements are in the care of Bradshaw & Sons Funeral Home.

To send condolences to the family, please visit www.bradshawandsonsfuneralhome.com