Charles E. Wilhelm
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| Charles E. Wilhelm | |
|---|---|
| Born August 26, 1941 | |
 Charles E. Wilhelm, USMC |
|
| Place of birth | Edenton, North Carolina |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1964-2000 |
| Rank | General |
| Commands held | 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit 1st Marine Division Marine Corps Combat Development Command Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic U.S. Southern Command |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
| Awards | Defense Distinguished Service Medal Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star Defense Superior Service Medal (2) Bronze Star |
| Other work | Research, U.S. Army War College Fellow, Center for Defense Information Vice President, Battelle. |
General Charles E. Wilhelm (born August 26, 1941) is a retired United States Marine Corps general who served two combat tours of duty in Vietnam. He later served as Commanding General of the 1st Marine Division; as a Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense; and as the Commander, U.S. Southern Command (1997-2000). General Wilhelm retired from the Marine Corps in 2000, after 37 years of service.
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[edit] Background
Charles E. Wilhelm was born in 1941, a native of Edenton, North Carolina. Wilhelm graduated from e graduated from Florida Southern College in 1964 with a B.S. in journalism. He earned a M.S. degree in management from Salve Regina College. He is a graduate of the Army Infantry Officer’s Advance Course and the Naval War College.
[edit] Marine Corps service
General Wilhelm held a variety of command positions. He commanded a rifle platoon and company during two tours in Vietnam; served as a company commander in Headquarters Battalion and 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines, 2nd Marine Division; was the Senior Advisor to a Vietnamese Army Battalion; Inspector-Instructor, 4th Reconnaissance Battalion; Deputy Provost Marshal, U.S. Naval Forces Philippines; and commanded the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit.
General Wilhelm’s staff assignments include Assistant Battalion Operations Officer; Operations Officer and Executive Officer, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines. He served on the staffs of III Marine Amphibious Force; Logistics, Plans, and Policy Branch, Installations and Logistics Department, HQMC, and J-3, Headquarters, U.S. European Command.
In August 1988, while assigned as the Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations, II Marine Expeditionary Force, he was promoted to brigadier general, and was subsequently assigned as the Director of Operations, HQMC. In July 1990, he was selected to serve as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Policy and Missions, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict. General Wilhelm assumed duties as Commanding General, 1st Marine Division, in July 1992. He served as Commander Marine Forces Somalia from December 1992 to March 1993 as part of the U.S. led coalition in Operation RESTORE HOPE. General Wilhelm was confirmed for promotion to lieutenant general and assumed duties as the Commanding General, Marine Corps Combat Development Command, Quantico, Virginia, 15 July 1994. In August 1995, he was assigned as Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Atlantic/Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic/Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Europe/Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South/Commanding General, II Marine Expeditionary Force/Commanding General, Marine Striking Force Atlantic, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He was confirmed for promotion to general and assumed duties as the Commander, U.S. Southern Command on 25 September 1997; he served in this position until October 2000. General Wilhelm retired from the Marine Corps on 1 November 2000.
[edit] Awards / decorations
General Wilhelm’s personal decorations include: the Defense Distinguished Service Medal; the Distinguished Service Medal; Silver Star Medal; Defense Superior Service Medal with oak leaf cluster in lieu of a second award; Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V”; Defense Meritorious Service Medal; Meritorious Service Medal; Navy Commendation Medal with Combat “V”; Army Commendation Medal with Combat “V”; Joint Service Achievement Medal; Navy Achievement Medal; and the Combat Action Ribbon.
[edit] Later work
After retiring from the Marine Corps, General Wilhelm was a researcher with the U.S. Army War College Strategic Studies Institute.[1] General Wilhelm is Distinguished Military Fellow on the staff of the Center for Defense Information.[2]. In 2003, Wilhelm became Vice President at Battelle, responsible for homeland security issues.[3]
[edit] Relatives
A nephew, Miles Wilhelm, graduated the United States Army Officer Candidate School on December 13, 2007, as a transportation officer.
[edit] Notes
- ^ Gen (Ret). Charles E. Wilhelm. U.S. Army War College. Retrieved on 2006-10-07.
- ^ CDI (Washington, D.C.) Staff. Center for Defense Information. Retrieved on 2006-10-07.
- ^ Retired Marine Corps General Charles E. Wilhelm joins Battelle. Battelle (press release) (March 6, 2003). Retrieved on 2006-10-07.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
This article incorporates text in the public domain from the United States Marine Corps.
- General Charles E. Wilhelm, USMC (Retired). Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Retrieved on 2006-10-07.
- Distinguished Military Fellow: Gen. (Ret.) Charles E. Wilhelm, USMC. CDI. Retrieved on 2006-10-07.
