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General James L.
Jones
Commandant of the Marine Corps
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General Jones was born on Dec. 19, 1943, in Kansas City, Mo. Having spent his
formative years in France, he returned to the United States to attend the
Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, from which he received 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, Calif., 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, Calif., 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, N.C. 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 of 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, N.C. 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 was advanced to
Lieutenant General on July 18, 1996.
His next assignment was as the Military Assistant to the Secretary of Defense.
On April 21, 1999, he was nominated for appointment to the grade of General and
assignment as the 32d Commandant of the Marine Corps. He was promoted to General
on June 30, 1999, and assumed his current post on July 1, 1999.
General Jones' personal decorations include: the Defense Distinguished Service
Medal, Silver Star Medal, Legion of Merit with three gold stars, Bronze Star
Medal with Combat "V", and the Combat Action Ribbon.
By: Headquarters Marine Corps, Division of Public Affairs, Marine
Corps News, Washington, D.C. 20380-1775
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