Peter Pace

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Peter Pace
Peter Pace official portrait.jpg
Pace in 2006
Born (1945-11-05) November 5, 1945 (age 78)
Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S.
Allegiance  United States of America
Service/branch  United States Marine Corps
Years of service 1967–2007
Rank US Marine 10 shoulderboard.svg General
Commands held
Battles/wars
Awards

Peter Pace (born November 5, 1945) is a former United States Marine Corps general who served as the 16th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Pace was the first Marine officer appointed as chairman, and the first Marine officer to be appointed to three different four-star assignments; the others as the 6th Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from October 1, 2001, to August 12, 2005, and as Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Southern Command from September 8, 2000, to September 30, 2001. Appointed by President George W. Bush, Pace succeeded U.S. Air Force General Richard Myers on September 30, 2005.

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates announced on June 8, 2007, that he would advise the President not to renominate Pace for a second term. Pace retired from the Marine Corps and stepped down as Chairman on October 1, 2007. He was replaced by Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Michael Mullen.[1][2]

Early life and education

Pace was born on November 5, 1945, in New York City's Brooklyn to Italian American parents (from Noci) and raised in Teaneck, New Jersey, graduating from Teaneck High School in 1963. He received his commission in June 1967, following graduation from the United States Naval Academy. He also holds a Master of Business Administration degree from George Washington University. Pace currently resides in McLean, Virginia; he is married to Lynne Pace, whom he met as a midshipman, and has a son, Peter, and a daughter, Tiffany.[3] Pace is a Roman Catholic.[4]

Career

1968–1979

Upon completion of The Basic School at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, in 1968, Pace was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division in the Republic of Vietnam, serving first as Platoon Leader of Golf Company's Second Platoon and subsequently as assistant Operations Officer.

Returning from overseas in March 1969, he reported to Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C.. During this tour, he served as Head, Infantry Writer Unit, Marine Corps Institute; Platoon Leader, Guard Company; Security Detachment Commander, Camp David; White House Social Aide; and Platoon Leader, Special Ceremonial Platoon. He was promoted to Captain in April 1971. In September 1971, Pace attended the Infantry Officers' Advanced Course at Fort Benning, Georgia. Returning overseas in October 1972, he was assigned to the Security Element, Marine Aircraft Group 15, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, Namphong, Thailand, where he served as Operations Officer and then Executive Officer.

In October 1973, he was assigned to Headquarters Marine Corps, Washington, D.C., for duty as the Assistant Majors' Monitor. During October 1976, he reported to the 1st Marine Division, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, where he served as Operations Officer, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines; Executive Officer, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines; and Division Staff Secretary. He was promoted to Major on November 1, 1977. In August 1979, he reported to the Marine Corps Command and Staff College as a student.

1980–1988

Upon completion of school in June 1980, he was assigned duty as Commanding Officer, Marine Corps Recruiting Station, Buffalo, New York. While in this assignment, he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in October 1982. Reassigned to the 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, Pace served from June 1983 until June 1985 as Commanding Officer, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines. In June 1985, he was selected to attend the National War College in Washington, D.C.

After graduation the following June, he was assigned to the Combined/Joint Staff in Seoul, South Korea. He served as Chief, Ground Forces Branch until April 1987, when he became Executive Officer to the Assistant Chief of Staff, C/J/G3, United Nations Command/Combined Forces Command/United States Forces Korea/Eighth United States Army. Pace returned to Marine Barracks in Washington, D.C. in August 1988 for duty as Commanding Officer. He was promoted to Colonel in October 1988.

1990s

Pace as a brigadier general in 1992.

In August 1991, Pace was assigned duty as Chief of Staff, 2nd Marine Division, Camp Lejeune. During February 1992, he was assigned duty as Assistant Division Commander. He was advanced to Brigadier General on April 6, 1992, and was assigned as President of the Marine Corps University and Commanding General of Marine Corps Schools at the Marine Corps Combat Development Command, Quantico, Virginia, on July 13, 1992. While serving in this capacity, he also served as Deputy Commander, Marine Forces, Somalia, from December 1992 to February 1993, and as the Deputy Commander, Joint Task Force - Somalia from October 1993 to March 1994. Pace was advanced to Major General on June 21, 1994, and was assigned as the Deputy Commander/Chief of Staff, U.S. Forces, Japan. He was promoted to Lieutenant General and assigned as the Director for Operations (J-3), Joint Staff, Washington, D.C., on August 5, 1996.

Pace served as the Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Atlantic/Europe/South from November 23, 1997, to September 8, 2000.

2000s: Joint Chiefs of Staff

Pace was promoted to general and assumed duties as the Commander-in-Chief, United States Southern Command on September 8, 2000, until September 30, 2001, when he was appointed Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. On August 12, 2005, he was succeeded as Vice Chairman by Admiral Edmund P. Giambastiani.

Pace is sworn in as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff by outgoing Chairman Richard Myers, September 30, 2005.

On April 22, 2005, at a White House press conference, President George W. Bush nominated Pace to be the next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The previous Chairman, Richard Myers, retired from the position on September 30, 2005.

On his nomination, Pace said, "This is an incredible moment for me. It is both exhilarating and humbling. It's exhilarating because I have the opportunity, if confirmed by the Senate, to continue to serve this great nation. It's humbling because I know the challenges ahead are formidable."[5]

On June 29, 2005, Pace appeared before the Armed Services Committee for consideration of his nomination[6] and was later confirmed by the Senate. On September 30, 2005, Pace was sworn in as the 16th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.[7]

Gen Pace meeting with soldiers of the 1st Cavalry Division in Iraq in December 2006

On November 29, 2005, Pace was present at a press conference given by Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, where Rumsfeld said that "the United States does not have a responsibility" to prevent torture by Iraqi officials. Pace drew a distinction between the national responsibility of the United States and the responsibility of individual service members, saying "It is the absolute responsibility of every U.S. service member, if they see inhumane treatment being conducted, to intervene, to stop it".[8][9]

After White House officials asserted that Iran was supplying insurgents in Iraq with munitions, Pace questioned the validity of the claim in a February 2007 press conference. Specifically, Pace questioned the existence of direct evidence linking the Iranian government to the supply of the weapons, explosively-formed penetrators.[10]

Military retirement

Pace awaiting President George W. Bush in the auditorium of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building for a ceremony honoring his service as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

On June 8, 2007, Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced that he would advise the President not to renominate General Pace because of concerns about contentious confirmation hearings in the Congress. The President nominated the former Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Michael Mullen to replace Pace.[1][11][12] On October 1, 2007, General Pace officially retired at Fort Myer, Virginia.[13]

On one of the last days before retirement, Pace gave a speech at Chaminade High School on Long Island, the high school of the first Marine who died under his command.[14]

After his retirement ceremony, Pace left to visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. There, he left several handwritten notes with a set of his general's rank insignia attached to each one.[15][16][17] Each note was similar to this one:

"These are yours — not mine! With love and respect, your platoon leader, Pete Pace."

Post-military career

File:Defense.gov photo essay 080907-N-0696M-104.jpg
Peter Pace at the 20th White House Tee Ball Initiative in 2008.

On October 1, 2007, the editors of the National Review encouraged Virginia voters to draft Pace to run in 2008 for the Senate seat to be vacated by retiring Senator John Warner. The magazine cited Pace's conservative Catholic beliefs in making its suggestion.[18] On October 2, 2007, the Wall Street Journal's Political Diary ran a piece about Virginia Republicans attempting to persuade Gen. Pace to run for the Senate seat being vacated by Sen. John Warner in 2008.[citation needed]

On April 3, 2008, private equity firm Behrman Capital announced that Pace had joined the firm as an operating partner and been named chairman of the board of Behrman portfolio company, Pelican Products.[19][20] He was also named a director of ILC Industries, Inc., also a Behrman company.[21]

Pace also currently serves on the Secretary of Defense's Policy Board,[22] and as Chairman of the Board for Wall Street Warfighters Foundation,[23] an organization that provides training support and job placement services for disabled veterans interested in careers in the financial services industry.

Pace now serves as an Honorary Member of the Board for the non-profit Wine Country Marines.[24] He also served as that organizations Guest of Honor during their Annual Birthday Ball in 2012 celebrating the Marine Corps Birthday, which was a fundraiser for the Semper Fi Fund, benefiting wounded service members.[25]

Dates of rank

Insignia Rank Dates
US Marine O1 shoulderboard.svg Second lieutenant 1967 – 1969
US Marine O2 shoulderboard.svg First lieutenant 1969 – April 1971
US Marine O3 shoulderboard.svg Captain April 1971 – November 1977
US Marine O4 shoulderboard.svg Major November 1977 – October 1982
US Marine O5 shoulderboard.svg Lieutenant colonel October 1982 – October 1988
US Marine O6 shoulderboard.svg Colonel October 1988 – April 6, 1992
US Marine O7 shoulderboard.svg Brigadier general April 6, 1992 – June 21, 1994
US Marine O8 shoulderboard.svg Major general June 21, 1994 – August 5, 1996
US Marine O9 shoulderboard.svg Lieutenant general August 5, 1996 – September 8, 2000
US Marine 10 shoulderboard.svg General September 8, 2000 – October 1, 2007

Awards and decorations

Military and foreign awards

Pace wearing his medals, ribbons, and four stars.

Pace's personal decorations include:[26]

United States Air Force Parachutist Badge.svg
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Combat Distinguishing Device.png
Gold star
 Combat Distinguishing Device.png
Gold star
Bronze star
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
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
Bronze star
Bronze star
USMC Rifle Expert badge.png USMC Pistol Expert badge.png
Joint Chiefs of Staff seal.svg
Badge Basic Parachutist Badge
1st Row Defense Distinguished Service Medal w/ 3 oak leaf clusters Navy Distinguished Service Medal Army Distinguished Service Medal Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
2nd Row Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit Bronze Star w/ valor device
3rd Row Defense Meritorious Service Medal Meritorious Service Medal w/ 1 award star Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal w/ valor device Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal w/ 1 award star
4th Row Combat Action Ribbon Navy Presidential Unit Citation w/ 1 service star Joint Meritorious Unit Award w/ 3 oak leaf clusters Navy Unit Commendation w/ 1 service star
5th Row Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation w/ 3 service stars Presidential Medal of Freedom (non-military award) National Defense Service Medal w/ 2 service stars Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal w/ 2 service stars
6th Row Vietnam Service Medal w/ 6 service stars Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Korea Defense Service Medal Humanitarian Service Medal
7th Row Sea Service Deployment Ribbon w/ 2 service stars Overseas Service Ribbon w/ 3 service stars Marine Corps Recruiting Ribbon Order of National Security Merit, Tong-il Medal[27]
8th Row 1st Class Order of the Rising Sun, Grand Cordon[28] Order of the Sacred Treasure Order of Naval Merit Admiral Padilla, Grand Cross[29] Meritorious Service Cross[30]
9th Row Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Citation United Nations Medal w/ 1 service star Vietnam Campaign Medal
Badges Rifle Expert Badge Pistol Expert Badge
Badge Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge

Non-military awards

  • During the 2006 Congressional Medal of Honor Society meeting, Gen. Pace was awarded the Society's Patriot Award, which is presented annually to a "distinguished American who has exemplified the ideals that make this country strong. Their dedication to freedom, their love for fellow man, their allegiance to our flag and a full understanding of its demands, accepted without reservation".[34]
  • Pace was recognized as a Distinguished Graduate of the United States Naval Academy on March 6, 2009, at the Naval Academy's 11th annual Distinguished Graduate Award Medal Ceremony.[39]

See also

Notes

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  13. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  18. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  21. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  23. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  24. ↑ http://www.winecountrymarines.org/board-of-directors.html
  25. ↑ http://www.winecountrymarines.org/2012-birthday-ball.html
  26. ↑ Joint Chiefs of Staff Bio.
  27. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  28. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  29. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  30. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  31. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  32. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  33. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  34. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  35. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  36. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  37. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  38. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  39. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

References

This article incorporates text in the public domain from the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
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External links

Military offices
Preceded by United States Southern Command
2000—2001		 Succeeded by
Gen. James T. Hill
Preceded by Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
2001–2005		 Succeeded by
Edmund Giambastiani
Preceded by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
2005–2007		 Succeeded by
Michael Mullen
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