John A. Toolan

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John Toolan
Born (1954-01-28) January 28, 1954 (age 70)
Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchUnited States Marine Corps
Years of service1976–2016
RankLieutenant General
Commands held
Battles/warsGulf War
Iraq War
War in Afghanistan
Awards

John "Jocko" A. Toolan Jr. (born January 28, 1954) is a retired United States Marine Corps lieutenant general,[1] whose final post was as the Commanding General, United States Marine Corps Forces, Pacific.[2][3]

Marine Corps career[edit]

Toolan joined the United States Marine Corps in 1976, and graduated from the Basic School in April 1977. His first assignment was with the 1st Battalion, 9th Marines in Okinawa, Japan. After three years service at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, he served as company commander of Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines from 1982 to 1984.

Toolan saw service in the Gulf War in 1991 before taking command of the 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California. He also served on the Supreme Allied Headquarters in Europe.

In 2003, Toolan served as the Chief of Staff for 1st Marine Division during the march to Baghdad as part of the Iraq War, serving under Major General James Mattis. In 2004, he commanded 1st Marine Regiment during the First Battle of Fallujah.

From March 2011 to March 2012, Toolan commanded Regional Command Southwest during the War in Afghanistan.

He also served as Director of Command and Staff College at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, and, in September 2012, he took command of I Marine Expeditionary Force. Toolan retired from the Marine Corps on October 1, 2016.[4]

Awards, honors and decorations[edit]

Bronze oak leaf cluster
V
Gold star
Gold star
Gold star
Gold star
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Silver star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
First row Defense Superior Service Medal w/ 1 oak leaf cluster Legion of Merit w/ valor device & 2 award stars Meritorious Service Medal w/ 1 award star Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal w/ 1 award star
Second row Combat Action Ribbon Presidential Unit Citation Joint Meritorious Unit Award w/ 1 oak leaf cluster Navy Unit Commendation w/ 2 service stars
Third row Navy and Marine Corps Meritorious Unit Commendation National Defense Service Medal w/ 1 service star Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Southwest Asia Service Medal w/ 2 service stars
Fourth row Kosovo Campaign Medal w/ 1 service star Afghanistan Campaign Medal w/ 1 service star Iraq Campaign Medal w/ 2 service stars Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Fifth row Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Korea Defense Service Medal Sea Service Ribbon w/ 9 service stars Overseas Service Ribbon w/ 1 service star
Sixth row Drill Instructor Ribbon NATO Medal (Kosovo) Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia) Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)
Badge Office of the Secretary of Defense Identification Badge

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Senior Fellows".
  2. ^ "Leaders".
  3. ^ "Marine general is tough enough to smile". 26 January 2013.
  4. ^ "Senior Fellows".