Donald R. Gardner

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Donald R. Gardner

MajGen Donald R. Gardner, USMC (retired)
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Marine Corps
Years of service	1955-1994
Rank	Major General
Commands held	3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune III Marine Expeditionary Force Marine Corps Bases, Japan 3rd Marine Division
Awards	Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star Legion of Merit (2) Purple Heart
Other work	Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum Marine Corps University Foundation Marine Corps University

Major General Donald R. Gardner is a retired United States Marine Corps officer and current president of the Marine Corps University.^[1]

1 Education
2 Marine Corps career
3 Post Marine Corps career
4 Notes
5 See also
6 References
7 External links

[edit] Education

Major General Gardner graduated from Memphis State University in 1960 with a Bachelor of Science degree in History. He also holds a Master of Arts degree in History from Memphis State University. He is a graduate of the Marine Corps Command and Staff College and a distinguished graduate of the Naval War College.

[edit] Marine Corps career

Garner enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve in 1955, reaching the rank of sergeant. He was commissioned a second lieutenant on the Reservesin 1960 after earning his Bachelor's Degree.

[edit] Command assignments

Major General Gardner’s command assignments include: Platoon Commander, 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines (1961); Company Commander, 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion(1963); Company Commander, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion (1966-67); Commanding Officer, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines (1977); Commanding General, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina (1988); Commanding General, III Marine Expeditionary Force and Commanding General, Marine Corps Bases, Japan (1992-94); Commanding General, 3rd Marine Division (Rein) (1993).

[edit] Staff assignments

Major General Gardner’s staff assignments include: Assistant S-3, 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion (1963); Executive Officer, Marine Barracks, Bermuda, British West Indies (1963-66); S-4, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion (1966); Radio and Television Officer, Division of Information, HQMC, Washington, D.C. (1968); Aide-de-Camp to the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps (1970-71); Senior Advisor to Tran Hung Dao 30 (1971); Marine Officer Instructor at Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee (1973-76); Plans Officer, 2nd Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, N.C (1978-79); Deputy Director, 1st Marine Corps District, Garden City, New York (1982); Director of the 1st Marine Corps District (1984-86); Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3, III Marine Amphibious Force, Okinawa, Laan (1986); Assistant Division Commander, 2nd Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, N.C. (1987-88); Deputy Chief of Staff for Requirements and Programs (1990).

[edit] Awards and decorations

Major General Gardner’s military awards and personal decorations include:

Navy Distinguished Service Medal

Silver Star

Legion of Merit (with Combat "V" and gold star)

Purple Heart

Defense Meritorious Service Medal

Meritorious Service Medal (with gold star)

Air Medal (with numeral 2)

Joint Service Commendation Medal (with Combat "V")

Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (with Combat "V")

Combat Action Ribbon

Vietnam Gallantry Cross (with silver star)

Foreign Awards

General Gardner was presented the Order of the Rising Sun, Third Class, by the Emperor of Japan for his dedicated service to the security of Japan and the mutual cooperation between Japan and the United States.

Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal, First Class

[edit] Post Marine Corps career

Major General Gardner retired from the U.S. Marine Corps in 1994. From 1996-99, he served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum in New York City. From 1999 to 2004, he served as Chief Executive Officer for the Marine Corps University Foundation. on May 21, 2004, he assumed his current position as President, Marine Corps University, becoming the first civilian to hold the post^[2]