Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps

Summary

The assistant commandant of the Marine Corps (ACMC) is the second highest-ranking officer in the United States Marine Corps, and serves as a deputy for the commandant of the Marine Corps (CMC). Before 1946, the title was known as the assistant to the commandant.

Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps
Emblem of the Marine Corps
a red flag with four white stars
Flag of a Marine Corps general
Incumbent
General Christopher J. Mahoney
since November 3, 2023
AbbreviationACMC
Reports toCommandant of the Marine Corps
AppointerPresident
with Senate advice and consent
FormationApril 29, 1911
First holderEli K. Cole

The assistant commandant is nominated for appointment by the president and must be confirmed via majority vote by the Senate. If the commandant is absent or is unable to perform his duties, then the assistant commandant assumes the duties and responsibilities of the commandant. For this reason, the assistant commandant is appointed to a rank equal to the sitting commandant; since 1971, each assistant commandant has been, by statute, a four-star general, making it the most common rank held among marines serving this position. Additionally, he may perform other duties that the CMC assigns to him.[1] Historically, the assistant commandant has served for two to three years. In recent decades, the assistant commandant has frequently been a Marine aviator. James F. Amos is the first aviator to serve as the assistant commandant and then be promoted to commandant.

The first marine to hold the billet as the "assistant to the commandant" was Eli K. Cole (Allen H. Turnage being the last), while Lemuel C. Shepherd Jr. was the first to hold it as the "assistant commandant".

List of appointees edit

Assistants to the commandant of the Marine Corps edit

Before the official title of "Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps" was adopted in 1946, the title of the position was known as "Assistant to the Commandant" and before 1918, known only as "Duty in the Office of the Commandant". No records exist before the outbreak of World War I about this position, possibly because the Commandant likely had only administrative staff and no deputy.[2]

The first assistant to the commandant was Lieutenant Colonel (from 1914 Colonel) Eli K. Cole, who assumed the position on April 29, 1911. From April 29, 1911, to October 16, 1946, 19 men were assigned to assist the commandant, including five who later became commandant: John A. Lejeune, Wendell C. Neville, Ben H. Fuller, John H. Russell Jr., and Alexander A. Vandegrift.[2]

No. Portrait Assistant to the Commandant
of the Marine Corps
Took office Left office Time in office
1
 
Colonel
Eli K. Cole[3]
(1867–1929)
April 29, 1911January 1, 19153 years, 247 days
2
 
Brigadier General
John A. Lejeune[4]
(1867–1942)
January 1, 1915September 10, 19172 years, 252 days
3
 
Brigadier General
Charles G. Long[5]
(1869–1943)
September 11, 1917August 13, 19202 years, 337 days
4
 
Brigadier General
Wendell Cushing Neville[6]
(1870–1930)
August 14, 1920July 11, 19232 years, 331 days
5
 
Major General
Logan Feland[7]
(1869–1936)
July 13, 1923July 31, 19252 years, 18 days
6
 
Brigadier General
Dion Williams[8]
(1869–1952)
August 1, 1925July 1, 19282 years, 335 days
7
 
Brigadier General
Ben Hebard Fuller[9]
(1870–1937)
July 2, 1928July 8, 19302 years, 6 days
8
 
Brigadier General
John Twiggs Myers[10]
(1871–1952)
August 1, 1930February 1, 19332 years, 184 days
9
 
Brigadier General
John H. Russell Jr.[11]
(1872–1947)
February 1, 1933February 28, 19341 year, 27 days
10
 
Brigadier General
Douglas C. McDougal[12]
(1876–1964)
April 8, 1934April 22, 19351 year, 14 days
11
 
Brigadier General
Louis M. Little[13]
(1878–1960)
April 22, 1935May 6, 19372 years, 14 days
12
 
Brigadier General
Holland Smith[14]
(1882–1967)
April 1, 1939September 25, 1939177 days
13
 
Brigadier General
Alexander Vandegrift[15]
(1887–1973)
March 1, 1940November 18, 19411 year, 262 days
14
 
Brigadier General
Charles D. Barrett[16]
(1885–1943)
November 19, 1941March 12, 1942113 days
15
 
Brigadier General
Ralph S. Keyser[17]
(1883–1955)
March 28, 1942May 24, 194257 days
16
 
Major General
Harry Schmidt[18]
(1886–1968)
May 25, 1942August 1, 19431 year, 68 days
17
 
Major General
Keller E. Rockey[19]
(1888–1970)
August 2, 1943January 17, 1944168 days
18
 
Major General
Dewitt Peck[20]
(1894–1973)
January 20, 1944July 30, 19451 year, 191 days
19
 
Major General
Allen H. Turnage[21]
(1891–1971)
September 1, 1945October 16, 19461 year, 45 days

Assistant commandants of the Marine Corps edit

In 1946, Congress established the position of "assistant commandant of the Marine Corps" and since then, 31 men have held the position. Major General Lemuel C. Shepherd Jr. was the first to hold the billet and went on to become commandant, as well as six others: Randolph M. Pate, Leonard F. Chapman Jr., Robert H. Barrow, Paul X. Kelley, James F. Amos and Joseph Dunford.[2]

As with the commandant, the assistant commandant of the Marine Corps is appointed by the president based on advice and consent of the Senate and, once appointed, will be promoted to the grade of general. The duties of the assistant commandant include such authority and duties as the commandant – and with the approval of the secretary of the Navy – may delegate to or prescribe for him. Orders issued by the assistant commandant in performing such duties have the same effect as those issued by the commandant. When there is a vacancy in the office of the commandant of the Marine Corps, or during the absence or disability of the commandant, the assistant commandant shall perform the duties of the commandant until a successor is appointed or the absence or disability ceases.[1]

No. Portrait Assistant Commandant of the
Marine Corps
Took office Left office Time in office
1
 
Major General
Lemuel C. Shepherd Jr.[22]
(1896–1990)
October 7, 1946April 14, 19481 year, 190 days
2
 
Major General
Oliver P. Smith[23]
(1893–1977)
April 15, 1948July 19, 19502 years, 95 days
3
 
Lieutenant General
Merwin H. Silverthorn[24]
(1896–1985)
July 19, 1950February 1, 19521 year, 197 days
4
 
Lieutenant General
Gerald C. Thomas[25]
(1894–1984)
March 8, 1952July 1, 19542 years, 115 days
5
 
Lieutenant General
Randolph M. Pate[26]
(1898–1961)
July 1, 1954December 31, 19551 year, 183 days
6
 
Lieutenant General
Vernon E. Megee[27]
(1900–1992)
January 1, 1956November 30, 19571 year, 333 days
7
 
Lieutenant General
Verne J. McCaul[28]
(1903–1968)
December 1, 1957December 31, 19592 years, 30 days
8
 
Lieutenant General
John C. Munn[29]
(1906–1986)
January 1, 1960March 31, 19633 years, 89 days
9
 
Lieutenant General
Charles H. Hayes[30]
(1906–1995)
April 1, 1963June 30, 19652 years, 90 days
10
 
Lieutenant General
Richard C. Mangrum[31]
(1906–1985)
July 1, 1965June 30, 19671 year, 364 days
11
 
Lieutenant General
Leonard F. Chapman Jr.[32]
(1913–2000)
July 1, 1967December 31, 1967183 days
12
 
General
Lewis William Walt[33]
(1913–1989)
January 1, 1968January 29, 19713 years, 28 days
13
 
General
Keith B. McCutcheon[34]
(1915–1971)
January 30, 1971March 11, 197140 days
14
 
General
Raymond G. Davis[35]
(1915–2003)
March 12, 1971March 30, 19721 year, 18 days
15
 
General
Earl E. Anderson[36]
(1919–2015)
March 12, 1971March 30, 19721 year, 18 days
16
 
General
Samuel Jaskilka[37]
(1919–2012)
July 1, 1975June 30, 19782 years, 364 days
17
 
General
Robert H. Barrow[38]
(1922–2008)
July 1, 1978July 30, 19791 year, 29 days
18
 
General
Kenneth McLennan[39]
(1925–2005)
July 1, 1979July 30, 19812 years, 29 days
19
 
General
Paul X. Kelley[40]
(1928–2019)
July 1, 1981June 30, 19831 year, 364 days
20
 
General
John K. Davis[41]
(1927–2019)
July 1, 1983May 31, 19862 years, 334 days
21
 
General
Thomas R. Morgan[42]
(born 1930)
June 1, 1986June 30, 19882 years, 29 days
22
 
General
Joseph J. Went[43]
(born 1930)
July 1, 1988July 31, 19902 years, 30 days
23
 
General
John R. Dailey[44]
(born 1934)
August 1, 1990August 31, 19922 years, 30 days
24
 
General
Walter E. Boomer[45]
(born 1938)
September 1, 1992July 14, 19941 year, 316 days
25
 
General
Richard D. Hearney[46]
(born 1939)
July 15, 1994September 26, 19962 years, 73 days
26
 
General
Richard I. Neal[47]
(1942–2022)
September 27, 1996September 4, 19981 year, 342 days
27
 
General
Terrence R. Dake[48]
(born 1944)
September 5, 1998September 7, 20002 years, 2 days
28
 
General
Michael J. Williams[49]
(born 1943)
September 8, 2000September 9, 20022 years, 1 day
29
 
General
William L. Nyland[50]
(born 1946)
September 10, 2002September 7, 20052 years, 362 days
30
 
General
Robert Magnus[51]
(born 1947)
September 8, 2005July 2, 20082 years, 298 days
31
 
General
James F. Amos[52]
(born 1946)
July 3, 2008October 22, 20102 years, 111 days
32
 
General
Joseph F. Dunford Jr.[53]
(born 1955)
October 23, 2010December 15, 20122 years, 53 days
33
 
General
John M. Paxton Jr.[54]
(born 1951)
December 15, 2012August 2, 20163 years, 231 days
34
 
General
Glenn M. Walters[55]
(born 1957)
August 2, 2016October 2, 20182 years, 61 days
35
 
General
Gary L. Thomas
(born 1962)
October 4, 2018October 7, 20213 years, 3 days
36
 
General
Eric M. Smith
(born 1965)
October 8, 2021September 22, 20231 year, 350 days
37
 
General
Christopher J. Mahoney
November 3, 2023Incumbent129 days

Timeline edit

Christopher J. MahoneyEric M. Smith (general)Gary L. Thomas (general)Glenn M. WaltersJohn M. Paxton Jr.Joseph F. Dunford Jr.James F. AmosRobert MagnusWilliam L. NylandMichael J. Williams (general)Terrence R. DakeRichard I. NealRichard D. HearneyWalter E. BoomerJohn R. DaileyJoseph J. WentThomas R. MorganJohn K. DavisPaul X. KelleyKenneth McLennanRobert H. BarrowSamuel JaskilkaEarl E. AndersonRaymond G. DavisKeith B. McCutcheonLewis W. WaltLeonard F. Chapman Jr.Richard C. MangrumCharles H. HayesJohn C. MunnVerne J. McCaulVernon E. MegeeRandolph M. PateGerald C. ThomasMerwin H. SilverthornOliver P. SmithLemuel C. Shepherd Jr.Allen H. TurnageDewitt PeckKeller E. RockeyHarry Schmidt (USMC)Ralph S. KeyserCharles D. BarrettAlexander VandegriftHolland SmithLouis M. LittleDouglas C. McDougalJohn H. Russell Jr.John Twiggs MyersBen Hebard FullerDion WilliamsLogan FelandWendell Cushing NevilleCharles G. LongJohn A. LejeuneEli K. Cole

See also edit

References edit

General
  • Nofi, Albert A. (1997). "The Assistant Commandants of the Marine Corps". The Marine Corps Book of Lists. Da Capo Press. p. 146. ISBN 0-938289-89-6. Retrieved 2007-12-19.
  • Allan Reed Millett; Jack Shulimson, eds. (2004). Commandants of the Marine Corps. Annapolis, Md.: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 978-0-87021-012-9.
Specific
  1. ^ a b 10 U.S.C. § 5044 Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps.
  2. ^ a b c "Marine Corps Assistant Commandants". Historical Topics: Frequently Requested. Reference Branch, History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-05-16. Retrieved 2007-12-29.
  3. ^ "Lieutenant Colonel Eli Kelley Cole, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  4. ^ "Brigadier General John Archer Lejeune, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2010-10-07. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  5. ^ "Brigadier General Charles Grant Long, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  6. ^ "Major General Wendell Cushing Neville, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  7. ^ "Brigadier General Logan Feland, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  8. ^ "Brigadier General Dion Williams, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  9. ^ "Brigadier General Ben Hebard Fuller, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  10. ^ "Brigadier General John Twiggs Myers, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  11. ^ "Brigadier General John Henry Russell Jr., USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2010-10-07. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  12. ^ "Brigadier General Douglas C. McDougal, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  13. ^ "Brigadier General Louis McCarty Little, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  14. ^ "Brigadier General Holland McTyeire Smith, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-05-16. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  15. ^ "Brigadier General Alexander Archer Vandegrift, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2010-10-07. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  16. ^ "Major General Charles Dodson Barrett, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-05-16. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  17. ^ "Major General Ralph Stover Keyser, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  18. ^ "Major General Harry Schmidt, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-05-16. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  19. ^ "Major General Keller E. Rockey, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  20. ^ "Major General DeWitt Peck, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2010-11-14. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  21. ^ "Major General Allen Hal Turnage, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-05-16. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  22. ^ "Major General Lemuel Cornick Shepherd Jr., USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2012-04-14. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  23. ^ "Major General Oliver P. Smith, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-05-16. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  24. ^ "Lieutenant General Merwin Hancock Silverthorn, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  25. ^ "Lieutenant General Gerald C. Thomas, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  26. ^ "Lieutenant General Randolph McCall Pate, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  27. ^ "Lieutenant General Vernon E. Megee, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  28. ^ "Lieutenant General Verne J. McCaul, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  29. ^ "Lieutenant General John Calvin Munn, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  30. ^ "Lieutenant General Charles Harold Hayes, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  31. ^ "Lieutenant General Richard C. Mangrum, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  32. ^ "Lieutenant General Leonard Fielding Chapman, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2012-04-18. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  33. ^ "General Lewis W. Walt, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Retrieved 2009-07-03.[permanent dead link]
  34. ^ "General Keith B. McCutcheon, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2010-11-05. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  35. ^ "General Raymond Gilbert Davis, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  36. ^ "General Earl Edward Anderson, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2010-11-03. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  37. ^ "General Samuel Jaskilka, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  38. ^ "General Robert H. Barrow, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2012-04-18. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  39. ^ "General Kenneth McLennan, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-05-16. Retrieved 2009-07-02.
  40. ^ "General Paul X. Kelley, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2012-04-14. Retrieved 2009-07-02.
  41. ^ "General John K. Davis, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Retrieved 2009-07-02.[permanent dead link]
  42. ^ "General Thomas R. Morgan, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-02.
  43. ^ "General Joseph J. Went, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2007-02-19. Retrieved 2009-07-02.
  44. ^ "General John R. Dailey, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-02.
  45. ^ "General Walter E. Boomer, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-05-16. Retrieved 2009-07-02.
  46. ^ "General Richard D. Hearney, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-02.
  47. ^ "General Richard I. Neal, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-02.
  48. ^ "General Terrence R. Dake, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Retrieved 2009-07-02.[permanent dead link]
  49. ^ "General Michael J. Williams, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-02.
  50. ^ "General William L. "Spider" Nyland, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-02.
  51. ^ "General Robert Magnus, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-02.
  52. ^ "General James F. Amos, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-02.
  53. ^ "General Joseph F. Dunford Jr., USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2010-10-25.
  54. ^ "General John M. Paxton Jr., USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Retrieved 2012-12-15.
  55. ^ "General Glenn M. Walters, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Retrieved 2016-08-04.