Commandants of the Marine Corps

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General
Michael W. Hagee
33rd Commandant of the Marine Corps


General Hagee graduated with distinction from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1968 with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering. He also holds a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School and a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College. He is a graduate of the Command and Staff College and the U.S. Naval War College.

General Hagee's command assignments include: Commanding Officer Company A, 1st Battalion, 9th Marines (1970); Platoon Commander, Company A and Commanding Officer Headquarters and Service Company, First Battalion, First Marines (1970-1971); Commanding Officer, Waikele-West Loch Guard Company (1974-1976); Commanding Officer, Pearl Harbor Guard Company (1976-1977); Commanding Officer, 1st Battalion, 8th Marines (1988-1990); Commanding Officer, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) (1992-1993); Commanding General, 1st Marine Division (1998-1999); and Commanding General, I Marine Expeditionary Force(2000-2002).

General Hagee's staff assignments include: Communications-Electronics Officer, 1st Marine Air Command and Control Squadron (1971); Assistant Director, Telecommunications School (1972-1974); Training Officer, 3d Marine Division (1977-1978); Electrical Engineering Instructor, U.S. Naval Academy (1978-1981); Head, Officer Plans Section, Headquarters Marine Corps (1982-1986); Assistant Chief of Staff, G-1, 2d Marine Division (1987-1988); Executive Officer, 8th Marines (1988); Director Humanities and Social Science Division/Marine Corps Representative, U.S. Naval Academy (1990-1992); Liaison Officer to the U.S. Special Envoy to Somalia (1992-1993); Executive Assistant to the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps (1993-1994); Director, Character Development Division, United States Naval Academy (1994-1995); Senior Military Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of Defense, Washington, D.C.; Executive Assistant to the Director of Central Intelligence (1995-1996); Deputy Director of Operations, Headquarters, U.S. European Command (1996-1998); and Director Strategic Plans and Policy, U.S. Pacific Command (1999-2000).

His personal decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal with palm, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit with two Gold Stars, Bronze Star with Combat "V", Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with one Gold Star, Navy Achievement Medal with one Gold Star, the Combat Action Ribbon, and the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal.

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General
James L. Jones
Supreme Allied Commander, Europe and
Commander, U.S. European Command
32nd Commandant of the Marine Corps


General Jones is the Supreme Allied Commander, Europe (SACEUR) and the Commander of the United States European Command (COMUSEUCOM). From the Supreme Headquarters Allied Power Europe, Mons, Belgium, General Jones leads Allied Command Europe (ACE), comprising NATO's military forces in Europe. The mission of ACE is to preserve the peace, security, and territorial integrity of the NATO member nations in Europe. As COMUSEUCOM, General Jones commands five U.S. components: U.S. Army, Europe; U.S. Navy, Europe; U.S. Air Forces in Europe; U.S. Marine Forces, Europe; and Special Operations Command, Euorpe.

The European Command's mission is to support and achieve U.S. interests and objectives throughout 93 countries in Central and Eastern Europe, Africa, and portions of the Middle East. The command performs a variety of functions including planning for and conducting contingency operations such as noncombatant evacuations and humanitarian relief operations; providing combat-ready forces to both Allied Command Europe and other U.S. unified commands; and conducting intelligence activities and security assistance.

General Jones spent his formative years in France, returning to the United States to attend the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, from which he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1966. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps in January 1967. Upon completion of The Basic School, Quantico, VA, in October 1967, he was ordered to the Republic of Vietnam, where he served as a Platoon and Company Commander with Company G, 2d Battalion, 3d Marines. While overseas, he was promoted to First Lieutenant in June 1968.

Returning to the United States in December 1968, General Jones was assigned to Camp Pendleton, CA, where he served as a Company Commander until May 1970. He then received orders to Marine Barracks, Washington, DC, for duties as a Company Commander, serving in this assignment until July 1973. He was promoted to Captain in December 1970. From July 1973 until June 1974, he was a student at the Amphibious Warfare School, Quantico, VA.

In November 1974, he received orders to report to the 3d Marine Division on Okinawa, where he served as the Company Commander of Company H, 2d Battalion, 9th Marines, until December 1975.

From January 1976 to August 1979, General Jones served in the Officer Assignments Section at Headquarters Marine Corps, Washington, DC. During this assignment, he was promoted to Major in July 1977. Remaining in Washington, his next assignment was as the Marine Corps Liaison Officer to the United States Senate, where he served until July 1984. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in September 1982.

He was selected to attend the National War College in Washington, DC. Following graduation in June 1985, he was assigned to command the 3d Battalion, 9th Marines, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, CA, from July 1985 to July 1987.

In August 1987, General Jones returned to Headquarters Marine Corps, where he served as Senior Aide to the Commandant of the Marine Corps. He was promoted to Colonel in April 1988, and became the Military Secretary to the Commandant in February 1989.

During August 1990, General Jones was assigned as the Commanding Officer, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit at Camp Lejeune, NC. During his tour with the 24th MEU, he participated in Operation Provide Comfort in Northern Iraq and Turkey. He was advanced to Brigadier General on April 23, 1992. General Jones was assigned to duties as Deputy Director, J-3, U.S. European Command, Stuttgart, Germany, on July 15, 1992. During this tour of duty he was reassigned as Chief ot Staff, Joint Task Force Provide Promise, for operations in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Macedonia.

Returning to the United States, he was advanced to the rank of Major General in July 1994, and was assigned as Commanding General, 2d Marine Division, Marine Forces Atlantic, Camp Lejeune, NC. General Jones next served as Director, Expeditionary Warfare Division (N85), Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, during 1996, then as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans, Policies and Operations, Headquarters Marine Corps, Washington, DC. He then was advanced to Lieutenant General on July 18, 1996.

His next assignment was as the Military Assistant to the Secretary of Defense. He was promoted to General on June 30, 1999, and became the 32nd Commandant of the United States Marine Corps on July 1, 1999. General Jones assumed duties as the Commander of U.S. European Command on 16 January 2003, and Supreme Alled Commander Europe on 17 January 2003.

General Jones' personal decorations include: Defense Distinguished Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Silver Star Medal, Legion of Merit with four gold stars, Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V", and the Combat Action Ribbon.

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General (Retired)
Charles C. Krulak
31st Commandant of the Marine Corps

After graduating from The Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, N.H., General Krulak attended the U.S. Naval Academy. He graduated from there in 1964 with a B.S. degree in Engineering. General Krulak also holds an M.S. degree in Labor Relations from George Washington University (1973). He is a graduate of the Amphibious Warfare School (1968); the Army Command and General Staff College (1976); and the National War College (1982).

Since his commissioning and graduation from The Basic School at Quantico, General Krulak has held a variety of command and staff positions. He commanded a platoon and two rifle companies during his two tours of duty in Vietnam; Commanding Officer, Special Training Branch, and Recruit Series, MCRD, San Diego, Calif. (1966-1968); Commanding Officer, Counter-Guerilla Warfare School, NTA, Okinawa (1970); Company Officer, U.S. Naval Academy (1970-1973); Commanding Officer, Marine Barracks, Naval Air Station, North Island, Calif. (1973-1976); and Commanding Officer, 3d Battalion, 3d Marines (1983-1985).

General Krulak's staff assignments include: S-3 of the 2d Battalion, 9th Marines (1977-1978); Chief of the Combat Arms Monitor Section, Headquarters Marine Corps, Washington, D.C. (1978-1979); Executive Assistant to the Director of Personnel Management, Headquarters Marine Corps (1979-1981); Plans Officer at FMF Pacific (1982-1983); Executive Officer, 3d Marines, 1st MEB; Assistant Chief of Staff for Maritime Pre-positioning Ships, 1st MEB; Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3, 1st MEB; and the Military Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Command, Control, Communications and Intelligence, Office of the Secretary of Defense.

He was assigned duty as the Deputy Director, the White House Military Office in September 1987. While serving in this capacity, he was selected for promotion to brigadier general in November 1988. He was advanced to that grade on June 5, 1989, and assigned duties as the Commanding General, 10th Marine Expeditionary Brigade/Assistant Division Commander, 2d Marine Division, FMF, Atlantic, Camp Lejeune, N.C., on July 10, 1989. On June 1, 1990 he assumed duties as the Commanding General, 2d Force Service Support Group/Commanding General, 6th Marine Expeditionary Brigade, FMF, Atlantic, Camp Lejeune, N.C. He served in this capacity until July 12, 1991, and was assigned duty as Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower and Reserve Affairs (Personnel Management/Personnel Procurement), Headquarters Marine Corps on Aug. 5, 1991.

He was advanced to major general on March 20, 1992. General Krulak was assigned as Commanding General, Marine Corps Combat Development Command, Quantico, Virginia on Aug. 24, 1992, and was promoted to lieutenant general on Sept. 1, 1992. On July 22, 1994, he was assigned as Commander of Marine Forces Pacific/Commanding General, Fleet Marine Forces Pacific, headquartered at Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii.

His decorations and medals include: the Defense Distinguished Service Medal; Distinguished Service Medal; Silver Star Medal; Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V" and two gold stars; Purple Heart with gold star; Meritorious Service Medal; Navy Commendation Medal; Combat Action Ribbon; Presidential Unit Citation with bronze star; National Defense Service Medal with one bronze star; Vietnam Service Medal with silver star and two bronze stars; Southwest Asia Service Medal with two bronze stars; Sea Service Deployment Ribbon; Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry; Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross Color); Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Civil Actions Color, 1st Class); the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal; and the Kuwait Liberation Medal.

General Krulak was promoted to General June 29, 1995 and assumed duties as the 31st Commandant of the Marine Corps on June 30, 1995.

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General (Retired)
Carl E. Mundy
30th Commandant of the Marine Corps

General Mundy enlisted in the Marine Corps reserve and enrolled in the Platoon Leaders Class Program in December 1953. He served in the 38th Special Infantry Company, Montgomery, Alabama, and rose to the grade of sergeant. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in June 1957, following graduation from Auburn University. Earlier assignments included service in the 2d Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division; duty aboard the Aircraft Carrier TARAWA and the Cruiser LITTLE ROCK; instructor at the Marine Corps Basic School; and as Officer Selection Officer, Raleigh, North Carolina. In 1966-67, he served in Vietnam as operations and executive officer of teh 3d Battalion, 26th Marine Regiment, 3d Marine Division, and as and Intelligence Officer in the Headquarters, III Marine Amphibious Force.

After Vietnam, his principal assignments were:
-Aide de Camp to the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps
-Inspector Instructor, 4th Air-Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, Miami, Florida
-Commanding Officer, 2d Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 3d Marine Division
-Plans Officer, Headquarters Marine Corps
-Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence, 2d Marine Division
-Chief of Staff, Sixth Marine Amphibious Brigade
-Commanding Officer, 2d Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, and 36th and 38th Marine Amphibious Units

Following advancement to Brigadier General in April 1982, General Mundy's assignments were:

-Director of Personnel Procurement, Headquarters Marine Corps
-Commanding General, Landing Force Training Command, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, and Commanding General, 4th Marine Amphibious Brigade
-Advanced to major general in April 1986
-Director of Operations, Headquarters Marine Corps
-Advanced to lieutenant general in March 1988
-Deputy Chief of Plans, Policies and Operations, Headquarters Marine Corps
Operations Deputy to the Joint Chiefs of Staff
-Commanding General of the Fleet Marine Force Atlantic, the II Marine Expeditionary Force, the Allied Command
Atlantic Marine Striking Force, and designated to command Fleet Marine Forces which might be employed in Europe
-Promoted to general on July 1, 1991
-Commandant of the Marine Corps from 1 July 1991 to 30 June 1995

General Mundy is a native of Atlanta, Georgia, but spent his formative years in Tennessee, North Carolina, and Alabama. He graduated from the Marine Corps Command and Staff College, and the Naval War College. His United States decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal and the Distinguished Medals of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard; the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart Medal, and two Navy Commendation Medals. His foreign decorations include Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, the Colombian Distinguished Service, the Spanish Grand Cross of Naval Merit; the French Legion of Honor, Grade of Commander, the Argentinean Grand Cross, the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit, Grand Cross; and the Netherlands Medal of Merit.

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General (Retired)
Alfred M. Gray
29th Commandant of the Marine Corps

General Alfred M. Gray is a former Commandant of the Marine Corps, Headquarters Marine Corps, Washington, D.C.

General Gray enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1950. He served overseas with FMF, Pacific, attaining the rank of sergeant before being commissioned a second lieutenant in April 1952. Early tours included service with 11th and 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division in Korea, the 8th Marines, 2d Marine Division at Camp Lejeune, N.C., and Headquarters Marine Corps, Washington, D.C., during which he saw service in Guantanamo Bay and Vietnam.

As a major, General Gray joined the 12th Marines, 3d Marine Division, Vietnam in October 1965, serving concurrently as regimental communications officer, regimental training officer, and artillery aerial observer. He took command of the Composite Artillery Battalion and U.S. Free World Forces at Gio Linh in April 1967. In September 1967, General Gray was reassigned to the III Marine Amphibious Force in Da Nang where he commanded the 1st Radio Battalion elements throughout I Corps until February 1968. Following a brief tour in the United States, he returned to Vietnam from June to September 1969 in conjunction with surveillance and reconnaissance matters in the I Corps area.

After his Vietnam tour, General Gray served as Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion, 2d Marines, Battalion Landing Team 1/2; the 2d Marines; the 4th Marines; and Camp Commander of Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan. While commanding the 33d Marine Amphibious Unit and Regimental Landing Team-4, and concurrently serving as Deputy Commander, 9th Marine Amphibious Brigade, General Gray directed the Southeast Asia evacuation operations in 1975.

Advanced to brigadier general in March 1976, General Gray served as Commanding General, Landing Force Training Command, Atlantic, and the 4th Marine Amphibious Brigade. Promoted to major general in February 1980, he assumed command of the 2d Marine Division, FMF, Atlantic, Camp Lejeune, N.C., in June 1981. Following his promotion to lieutenant general on Aug. 29, 1984, he was reassigned as Commanding General, FMF, Atlantic/Commanding General, II MAF, and Commanding General, FMF, Europe. General Gray was promoted to general and became Commandant of the Marine Corps on July 1, 1987.

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General (Retired)
Paul X. Kelley
28th Commandant of the Marine Corps

General Kelley was born on November 11, 1928, in Boston, Mass. He graduated from Villanova University with a B.S. degree in Economics and was commissioned a Marine second lieutenant in June 1950.

In March 1951, after completing instruction at the Basic School, Quantico, Va., he served consecutively as a platoon leader, assistant battalion operations officer and assistant division training officer with the 2d Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, N.C. He was transferred to the USS SALEM, Flagship of the 6th Fleet, during September 1952, serving as the Executive Officer and then the Commanding Officer of the Marine Detachment for a period of 20 months. He was promoted to captain on Dec. 16, 1953.

Returning to the U.S. in July 1956, General Kelley became the Special Assistant to the Director of Personnel at Headquarters Marine Corps, Washington, D.C., until December 1957. Following his assignment in Washington, he completed the Airborne Pathfinder School at Ft. Benning, Ga. In February 1958, he was assigned to the newly activated 2d Force Reconnaissance Company, Force Troops, Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic, Camp Lejeune, when he served as the Executive Officer and then Commanding Officer.

From September 1960 to May 1961, he was the U.S. Marine Corps Exchange Officer with the British Royal Marines. During this tour he attended the Commando Course in England, served as Assistant Operations Officer with 45 Commando in Aden, and as Commander "C" Troop, 42 Commando in Singapore, Malaya and Borneo. On March 1, 1961, he was promoted to major.

He was assigned to Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, in July 1961, and served there as a tactics phase chief at The Basic School; and then Reconnaissance and Surveillance Officer at the Marine Corps Landing Force Development Center.

In June 1964, he assumed duties as Commanding Officer, Marine Barracks, Newport, R.I. He remained at that post until August 1965, when he was transferred to Vietnam and reported to the 3d Marine Amphibious Force, FMF, Pacific, as the Combat Intelligence Officer. Following this assignment, he served as the Commanding Officer, 2d Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment in Vietnam. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel on January 20, 1966. During this tour as battalion commander, he earned the Silver Star Medal, the Legion of Merit with Combat "V" and two awards of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V".

From Vietnam, he proceeded to the U. S. Army Infantry School at Ft. Benning, where he served from August 1966 to July 1968, as the Senior Marine Corps Representative of the Commandant of the Marine Corps. He then attended the Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., graduating as a "Distinguished Graduate" in May 1969. For his excellence in politico-military strategy while a student at the Air War College, the Board of Trustees of the National Geographic Society elected him a life member.

He returned to Headquarters Marine Corps in June 1969, as the Military Assistant to the Assistant Commandant. He was promoted to colonel on April 1, 1970, and in June 1970 was reassigned to Vietnam where he commanded the 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, General Kelley redeployed the regiment, the last Marine ground combat unit to leave Vietnam, to Camp Pendleton, Calif., in May 1971. During his second tour in Vietnam, he was awarded a second Legion of Merit with Combat "V".

Reassigned to the Washington area in July 1971, General Kelley served as the Chief, Southeast Asia Branch, Plans and Policy Directorate, Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, where he remained until November 1973, when he was assigned as the Executive Assistant to the Director, Joint Staff. Upon completion of this tour he was awarded a third Legion of Merit.

Following his promotion to brigadier general on August 6, 1974, he was assigned as the Commanding General, 4th Marine Division.

In June 1975, General Kelley was ordered to the Marine Corps Development and Education Command, at Quantico, where he assumed the duties as Director, Development Center. He then assumed duties as Director, Education Center and was advanced to the grade of major general on June 29, 1976.

In May 1978, General Kelley was ordered to Headquarters Marine Corps, where he became Deputy of Chief of Staff for Requirements and Programs.

On February 4, 1980, General Kelley was promoted to lieutenant general and appointed by the President as the first Commander of the Rapid Deployment Joint Task Force, (remained the United States Central Command (USCENTCOM) in January 1983), a four service force with headquarters at MacDill AFB, Tampa, Florida.

General Kelley was promoted to the rank of general and assumed duties as Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps and Chief of Staff on July 1, 1981. He assumed his present office as Commandant of the Marine Corps on July 1, 1983.

General Kelley's personal decorations and awards include: the Distinguished Service Medal; the Silver Star Medal; Legion of Merit with Combat "V" and two gold stars in lieu of second and third awards; the Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V" and a gold star in lieu of a second award; the Joint Service Commendation Medal; Navy Commendation Medal; and the Army Commendation Medal. He is a Marine Corps Parachutist and U.S. Army Master Parachutist.

General Kelley has been awarded honorary doctoral degrees from Villanova University, Norwich University, Webster University, Jacksonville University, and the United States Sports Academy.

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General (Retired)
Robert H. Barrow
27th Commandant of the Marine Corps (1979-1983)


General Barrow's 41 years of service include seven tours of duty in the Pacific and Far East and command in three wars.

During World War II he led an American team serving with a Chinese guerrilla force operating in Japanese occupied Central China.

During the Korean War he commanded a Marine rifle company in the Inchon-Seoul operation and the Chosin Reservoir Campaign.

During 1952-53 he headed an American team involved in covert operations from islands off the China coast, 200 miles North of Taiwan.

For nine months (1968-69) he commanded a reinforced infantry regiment (9th Marines) which conducted a number of highly successful operations in the vicinity of the DMZ, Khe-Sanh and A Shau Valley.

During the next 14 years, as a General Officer, he served 12 years in positions of command.

General Barrow's personal decorations include the Navy Cross; the Army Distinguished Serivce Cross; the Defense Distinguished Service Medal with Oak Leaf Clusters; the Navy Distinguished Service Medal; the Silver Star Medal; three Legions of Merit and two Bronze Stars with Combat "V"s.

President Reagan, who spoke at General Barrow's retirement, appointed him to the President's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board and the President's Blue Ribbon Commission on Defense Management.

General Barrow is the receipt of Honorary Doctorate degrees from Tulane University, Louisiana State University and The Citadel.

[Vulture6]

General (Retired)
Louis H. Wilson
26th Commandant of the Marine Corps (1975-1979)


General Louis H. Wilson, a holder of the Medal of Honor, served as the 26th Commandant of the Marine Corps from July 1, 1975 until July 1, 1979. For his "exceptionally distinguished service" during his four-year tenure as Commandant, and his contributions as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, he received the Defense Distinguished Service Medal (First Oak Leaf Cluster), upon his retirement on July 1, 1979.

General Wilson earned a B.A. degree in 1941 from Millsaps College, Jackson, Miss., where he participated in football and track.

He enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve in May 1941, and was commissioned a second lieutenant in November of that year. After attending officer basic training, he was assigned to the 9th Marine Regiment at Marine Corps Base, San Diego, Calif.

General Wilson went overseas with the 9th Marines in February 1943 making stops at Guadalcanal, Efate, and Bougainville. He was promoted to captain in April 1943.

During the assault on Guam, on July 25 and 26, 1944, while commanding Company F, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, he earned the Nation's highest honor for heroism in combat when he and his company repelled and destroyed a numerically superior enemy force. Because of wounds received he was evacuated to the U.S. Naval Hospital, San Diego, where he remained until Oct. 16, 1944.

General Wilson returned to duty as Commanding Officer, Company D, Marine Barracks, Camp Pendleton, Calif. In December 1944, he was transferred to Washington, D.C., where he served as a Detachment Commander at the Marine Barracks. While in Washington he was presented the Medal of Honor by President Truman. He was promoted to major in March 1945.

From June 1946 until August 1951, General Wilson had consecutive tours as Dean and Assistant Director, Marine Corps Institute; Aide-de-Camp, Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific; and Officer in Charge, District Headquarters Recruiting Station, New York City.

Promoted to lieutenant colonel in November 1951, while stationed at Quantico, Va., he served consecutively as Commanding Officer of The Basic School's 1st Training Battalion/Commanding Officer of Camp Barrett and Executive Officer of The Basic School. He completed the Officer's Senior Course in August 1954.

After a brief tour as a Senior School Instructor, Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, he departed for Korea to serve as Assistant G-3, 1st Marine Division. In August 1955, he returned to the United States with the 1st Division, and was named as Commanding Officer, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division.

In March 1956, General Wilson was assigned to Headquarters Marine Corps, serving two years as Head, Operations Section, G-3 Division. He returned to Quantico, first as Commanding Officer of The Basic School.

In June 1962, after graduation from the National War College, he was assigned as Joint Plans Coordinator, to the Deputy Chief of Staff (Plans and Programs), Headquarters Marine Corps. He transferred to the 1st Marine Division and deployed with the Division in August 1965, stopping at Okinawa before going to Vietnam. As Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3, 1st Marine Division, he was awarded the Legion of Merit and the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Gold Star.

Upon return to the United States in August 1966, General Wilson assumed command of the 6th Marine Corps District, Atlanta, Ga. Promoted to brigadier general in November 1966, he was assigned to Headquarters Marine Corps in January 1967, as Legislative Assistant to the Commandant of the Marine Corps until July 1968. He then served as Chief of Staff, Headquarters, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, until March 1970, earning a second Legion of Merit.

He was advanced to the grade of major general in March 1970. He assumed command of I Marine Amphibious Force/3rd Marine Division on Okinawa, and was awarded a third Legion of Merit for his service.

In April 1971, he returned to Quantico for duty as Deputy for Education/Director, Education Center, Marine Corps Development and Education Command. He was promoted to lieutenant general in August 1972 and on September 1, 1972 assumed command of the Fleet Marine Force, Pacific. During that tour, General Wilson was presented the Korean Order of National Security Merit, GUK-SEON Medal, 2d Class and the Philippine Legion of Honor (Degree of Commander) for his service to those countries.

He was promoted to general on July 1, 1975.