Francis P. Bottorff

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Colonel Francis P. Bottorff
Born January 1, 1962(1962-01-01)

Place of birth	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Marine Corps
Years of service	1984 - present
Rank	Colonel
Commands held	VMA-542 Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point
Battles/wars	Operation Desert Storm Operation Iraqi Freedom *2003 invasion of Iraq
Awards	Defense Superior Service Medal Bronze Star Meritorious Service Medal] Individual Achievement Air Medal Strike Flight Air Medal Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two gold stars.

Francis P. Bottorff is a Colonel in the United States Marine Corps and is the current commander of Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina.

1 Biography
2 Awards
3 See also
4 Notes
5 References

[edit] Biography

Colonel Bottorff was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on February 1, 1962. He attended La Salle University in 1980 and upon graduation in May 1984, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant and attended The Basic School at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia.

In May 1985, he graduated from Infantry Officers Course and reported to 2nd Marine Division, where he served as Weapons Platoon Commander and Company Executive Officer of "K" Company, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines. Returning from a unit deployment to Okinawa in July of 1986, he reported to Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida to begin flight training and in September 1988 he earned his wings as a Naval Aviator.

Colonel Bottorff reported to Marine Aircraft Group 32 (MAG-32) in October 1988 for training as an AV-8B Harrier II pilot. After completing training at VMAT-203, he transferred to Marine Aircraft Group 13 (MAG-13) and was assigned to VMA-513. While with VMA-513, he deployed for Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm.

In July 1992, Colonel Bottorff returned to MAG-32 for duty as an Instructor Pilot with VMAT-203. After serving as the Assistant Operations Officer and Logistics Officer he attended the MAWTS-1 Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) Course. Following the completion of WTI, Colonel Bottorff was transferred to VMA-542. During this period he completed an operational deployment to the Western Pacific.

After being promoted to Major, he was assigned to 2nd Marine Regiment and served as the Air Officer from December 1995 until June of 1997.

Colonel Bottorff attended the Marine Corps Command and Staff College from August 1997 through July 1998. In August 1998, he reported to MAG-13 and served with VMA-311 as Operations Officer, Officer In Charge of the squadron's 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit detachment, Maintenance Officer, and Executive Officer. In February 2000, he was reassigned as the MAG-13 Operations officer.

In August 2001, Colonel Bottorff returned to MAG-13, and in November he took command of VMA-542. During this tour, the Tigers participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom in support of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.

Subsequent to squadron command, Colonel Bottorff attended the United States Army War College where he was awarded a Masters of Strategic Studies. In July 2004, Colonel Bottorff was assigned to United States Central Command and served as the Chief of the Exercise Division within the J-3 until June 2006.