User:Gary Jacobsen

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Grant "Gary" Jacobsen in Washington, D.C. in 2004
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Grant "Gary" Jacobsen in Washington, D.C. in 2004

Gary Jacobsen was born Grant Gary Jacobsen in 1940 in Chicago, Illinois

Contents

[edit] Background

Gary Jacobsen graduated from the University of Illinois, 1963, with B.S. in Communications. After graduation, he went on to become a reserve officer (on active duty) in the U. S. Marine Corps and served in South Vietnam from March, 1967, through April, 1968. Initially based at the Dong Ha Combat Base in Quang Tri Province, Jacobsen commanded a medium tank company in operations at Con Thien, Gio Linh and other combat bases. Later, he served as the 3rd Marine Division G-3 (operations) liaison officer to non-Marine forces in Quang Tri Province. He was awarded a Bronze Star Medal with a Combat "V" for valor.

[edit] Later service

In 1970, Jacobsen transferred from the reserve component to the regular component. Four years later, while serving in the grade of major, he completed requirements for an MBA at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. Through his later service in other assignments, he was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal. From 1983 through 1985, he represented the Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (J-6) on the Operation Pegasus plan, chaired by then-Vice President George H. W. Bush. In September, 1985, while serving in the grade of colonel, Jacobsen retired from active service and became the president and CEO of Pentagon Express, Inc., a major transportation company in northern Virginia.

[edit] Service to colleges

In 1997 he retired from corporate service and began teaching at the Northern Virginia Community College, where he established and funded Goodwill scholarships for deserving international students. He also was a guest lecturer in business administration at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD. For one semester he taught classes at the Los Angeles City College, whose notable graduates include James Coburn, Clint Eastwood, Gene Roddenberry and Morgan Freeman. While teaching, he authored two award-winning books: Spokesman for the People and Grammar for Everyone. He also began writing a weekly column for the Potomac News, a Media General newspaper of general circulation in Prince William County, Virginia. He became know as an outspoken advocate for women's reproductive rights, nondiscrimination against gays, gun control and rights of Hispanic immigrants.

[edit] Affiliation with Chi Psi

Gary Jacobsen still actively supports Alpha Zeta Delta of Chi Psi. He resides with his wife Olga in Woodbridge, Virginia.

[edit] External links

  • Background summary[1]
  • Typical Potomac News column[2]
  • Operation Pegasus[3]
  • Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (J-6)[4]
  • Goodwill Scholarships[5]