Robert Magnus
Encyclopedia
Robert Magnus is a retired United States Marine Corps
general
who served as the 30th Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps
from September 8, 2005 to July 2, 2008. He retired from active duty on July 17, 2008 after more than 39 years of service.
, New York, the youngest child of a bookkeeper and a seamstress. His family moved from Brooklyn’s Flatbush
neighborhood, to the working class, community of Levittown, Long Island, “a mile and a half from a potato farm”. Magnus was sent to a Conservative Hebrew school three days a week and celebrated his bar mitzvah at the Hicksville Jewish Center on Long Island.
He majored in modern European and Russian history at the University of Virginia
, graduating in 1969 with a Bachelor of Arts degree and a commission as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps. He earned a Master's degree in Business Administration from Strayer College in 1993. His formal military education includes Naval Aviator Training, U.S. Marine Corps Command and Staff College
, and the National War College
.
.
In October 1974, Magnus left the Marine Corps for 15 months to work on Wall Street
. According to Magnus, "I realized three things: I really liked flying, I really liked leading people – especially Marines, and that Wall Street wasn’t for me." When he returned to the Marines, Magnus became a weapons and tactics instructor for CH-46 helicopter aviators.
Magnus’ operational assignments include: Intelligence Officer, HMM-264
; Operations Officer, H&MS-15 SAR Detachment, Task Force Delta, Nam Phong, Thailand
; Training Officer, SOES, MCAS Quantico; Aviation Safety Officer, Marine Aircraft Group 26
and HMM-263
; Weapons and Tactics Instructor, Marine Aircraft Group 26 and HMM-261
; Operations Officer, Marine Aircraft Group 29
; Commanding Officer, HMM-365
; Commander, Marine Corps Air Bases Western Area; Commanding General, MCAS Miramar
; and Deputy Commander, Marine Forces Pacific (1999 – July 2000).
Magnus’ staff assignments include Aviation Assault Medium Lift Requirements Officer; Chief, Logistics Readiness Center, Joint Staff; Executive Assistant to the Director of the Joint Staff; Head, Aviation Plans and Programs Branch; Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Aviation; Assistant Deputy Commandant for Plans, Policies, and Operations (July 2000 – August 2001); and Deputy Commandant for Programs and Resources (August 2001 – September 2005).
He was advanced to the rank of General on November 1, 2005 and began his assignment as the 30th Assistant Commandant of the Marine
Corps on November 8, 2005. On July 2, 2008, he was succeed as Assistant Commandant by General James F. Amos
. Magnus retired from active service in a ceremony on July 17, 2008 after more than 39 years of service. Magnus received the Navy Distinguished Service Medal for his years of superior service to the U.S. military. He officially retired on September 1, 2008; at the time of his retirement, he was the last active officer of the Corps who had served in the Vietnam War.
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
general
General (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Air Force, and United States Marine Corps, general is a four-star general officer rank, with the pay grade of O-10. General ranks above lieutenant general and below General of the Army or General of the Air Force; the Marine Corps does not have an...
who served as the 30th Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps
Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps
The Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps is the second highest ranking officer in the United States Marine Corps, and serves as a deputy for the Commandant of the Marine Corps...
from September 8, 2005 to July 2, 2008. He retired from active duty on July 17, 2008 after more than 39 years of service.
Biography
Magnus was born on April 28, 1947 in BrooklynBrooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
, New York, the youngest child of a bookkeeper and a seamstress. His family moved from Brooklyn’s Flatbush
Flatbush, Brooklyn
Flatbush is a community of the Borough of Brooklyn, a part of New York City, consisting of several neighborhoods.The name Flatbush is an Anglicization of the Dutch language Vlacke bos ....
neighborhood, to the working class, community of Levittown, Long Island, “a mile and a half from a potato farm”. Magnus was sent to a Conservative Hebrew school three days a week and celebrated his bar mitzvah at the Hicksville Jewish Center on Long Island.
He majored in modern European and Russian history at the University of Virginia
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
, graduating in 1969 with a Bachelor of Arts degree and a commission as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps. He earned a Master's degree in Business Administration from Strayer College in 1993. His formal military education includes Naval Aviator Training, U.S. Marine Corps Command and Staff College
Marine Corps University
The Marine Corps University reports to the United States Marine Corps Training And Education Command. It was established on August 1, 1989 by General Alfred M...
, and the National War College
National War College
The National War College of the United States is a school in the National Defense University. It is housed in Roosevelt Hall on Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C., the third-oldest Army post still active. It was officially established on July 1, 1946, as an upgraded replacement for the...
.
Marine Corps career
Magnus completing The Basic School at Quantico, Virginia in 1969 and then reported to the Naval Air Training Command, where he was designated a Naval AviatorNaval Aviator
A United States Naval Aviator is a qualified pilot in the United States Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard.-Naming Conventions:Most Naval Aviators are Unrestricted Line Officers; however, a small number of Limited Duty Officers and Chief Warrant Officers are also trained as Naval Aviators.Until 1981...
.
In October 1974, Magnus left the Marine Corps for 15 months to work on Wall Street
Wall Street
Wall Street refers to the financial district of New York City, named after and centered on the eight-block-long street running from Broadway to South Street on the East River in Lower Manhattan. Over time, the term has become a metonym for the financial markets of the United States as a whole, or...
. According to Magnus, "I realized three things: I really liked flying, I really liked leading people – especially Marines, and that Wall Street wasn’t for me." When he returned to the Marines, Magnus became a weapons and tactics instructor for CH-46 helicopter aviators.
Magnus’ operational assignments include: Intelligence Officer, HMM-264
HMM-264
Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 264 is a United States Marine Corps tiltrotor squadron consisting of MV-22 Osprey transport aircraft. The squadron, known as the "Black Knights", is based at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina and normally falls under the command of Marine Aircraft...
; Operations Officer, H&MS-15 SAR Detachment, Task Force Delta, Nam Phong, Thailand
Royal Thai Air Base Nam Phong
The Royal Thai Air Base Nam Phong in Nam Phong district, Khon Kaen Province, Thailand in June 1972 became a base of operations for United States Marine Corps air operations by Marine Aircraft Group 15, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing....
; Training Officer, SOES, MCAS Quantico; Aviation Safety Officer, Marine Aircraft Group 26
Marine Aircraft Group 26
Marine Aircraft Group 26 is a United States Marine Corps aviation unit based at Marine Corps Air Station New River that is currently composed of seven MV-22 Osprey squadrons one of which is the Fleet Replacement Squadron and one aviation logistics squadron...
and HMM-263
VMM-263
Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 is a United States Marine Corps tiltrotor squadron consisting of MV-22B Osprey transport aircraft...
; Weapons and Tactics Instructor, Marine Aircraft Group 26 and HMM-261
HMM-261
Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261 is a United States Marine Corps tiltrotor squadron consisting of MV-22 Osprey transport aircraft. The squadron, known as the "Raging Bulls", is based at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina and typically falls under the command of Marine Aircraft...
; Operations Officer, Marine Aircraft Group 29
Marine Aircraft Group 29
Marine Aircraft Group 29 is a United States Marine Corps aviation unit based at Marine Corps Air Station New River that is currently composed of four CH-53E Super Stallion squadrons including the Fleet Replacement Squadron, three Light Attack Squadron flying AH-1W SuperCobras and UH-1N Twin Hueys,...
; Commanding Officer, HMM-365
HMM-365
Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365 is a United States Marine Corps tiltrotor squadron consisting of MV-22 Osprey transport aircraft. The squadron, known as the "Blue Knights", is based at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 26 ...
; Commander, Marine Corps Air Bases Western Area; Commanding General, MCAS Miramar
Marine Corps Air Station Miramar
Marine Corps Air Station Miramar , formerly Naval Air Station Miramar is a United States Marine Corps installation that is home to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, which is the aviation element of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force...
; and Deputy Commander, Marine Forces Pacific (1999 – July 2000).
Magnus’ staff assignments include Aviation Assault Medium Lift Requirements Officer; Chief, Logistics Readiness Center, Joint Staff; Executive Assistant to the Director of the Joint Staff; Head, Aviation Plans and Programs Branch; Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Aviation; Assistant Deputy Commandant for Plans, Policies, and Operations (July 2000 – August 2001); and Deputy Commandant for Programs and Resources (August 2001 – September 2005).
He was advanced to the rank of General on November 1, 2005 and began his assignment as the 30th Assistant Commandant of the Marine
Corps on November 8, 2005. On July 2, 2008, he was succeed as Assistant Commandant by General James F. Amos
James F. Amos
James F. Amos is a four-star general in the United States Marine Corps and the 35th and current Commandant of the Marine Corps. A naval aviator by trade, Amos commanded the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 and 2004. He served as the 31st Assistant Commandant of the...
. Magnus retired from active service in a ceremony on July 17, 2008 after more than 39 years of service. Magnus received the Navy Distinguished Service Medal for his years of superior service to the U.S. military. He officially retired on September 1, 2008; at the time of his retirement, he was the last active officer of the Corps who had served in the Vietnam War.
Awards and decorations
His personal decorations include: |
|||
| Naval Aviator Badge United States Aviator Badge A United States Aviator Badge refers to three types of aviation badges issued by the United States military, those being for Army, Air Force, and Naval aviation.... |
||||||
| Navy Distinguished Service Medal Navy Distinguished Service Medal The Navy Distinguished Service Medal is a military award of the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps which was first created in 1919. The decoration is the Navy and Marine Corps equivalent to the Army Distinguished Service Medal, the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, and the Coast... |
Defense Superior Service Medal Defense Superior Service Medal The Defense Superior Service Medal is a senior United States military decoration of the Department of Defense, awarded to members of the United States armed forces who perform "superior meritorious service in a position of significant responsibility."... |
Legion of Merit Legion of Merit The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements... |
Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal Achievement Medal The Achievement Medal is a military decoration of the United States military. The Achievement Medal was first proposed as a means to recognize the contributions of junior officers and enlisted personnel who were not eligible to receive the higher Commendation Medal or the Meritorious Service... |
|||
| Joint Meritorious Unit Award Joint Meritorious Unit Award The Joint Meritorious Unit Award is a military award that was established on June 4, 1981 by Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger and was implemented by Department of Defense Directive 1348.27 dated July 22, 1982... |
Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation Meritorious Unit Commendation The Meritorious Unit Commendation is a mid-level unit award of the United States military which is awarded to any military command which displays exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service, heroic deeds, or valorous actions.... |
National Defense Service Medal National Defense Service Medal The National Defense Service Medal is a military service medal of the United States military originally commissioned by President Dwight D. Eisenhower... w/ 2 service star Service star A service star, also referred to as a battle star, campaign star, or engagement star, is an attachment to a United States military decoration which denotes participation in military campaigns or multiple bestowals of the same award. Service stars are typically issued for campaign medals, service... s |
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal is a military award of the United States military, which was first created in 1961 by Executive Order of President John Kennedy... |
|||
| Vietnam Service Medal Vietnam Service Medal The Vietnam Service Medal is a military award which was created in 1965 by order of President Lyndon B. Johnson. The distinctive design was the creation of sculptor Thomas Hudson Jones, a former employee of the Army Institute of Heraldry. The medal is issued to recognize military service during... |
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Global War on Terrorism Service Medal The Global War on Terrorism Service Medal is a military award of the United States military which was created by Executive Order 13289 of President George W. Bush on March 12, 2003... |
Humanitarian Service Medal Humanitarian Service Medal The Humanitarian Service Medal is a military service medal of the United States armed forces which was created on January 19, 1977 by President Gerald Ford under... |
Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon Sea Service Ribbon A Sea Service Ribbon is an award of the United States Navy, United States Coast Guard and the United States Army which recognizes those service members who have performed military duty while stationed on a vessel at sea.... w/ 1 service star |
|||
| Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge The Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge is a U.S. Military badge presented to the members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff upon appointment to position as either a Service Head, Vice Chairman, or Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The decoration is also authorized to staff and... |
||||||
See also
- List of United States Marine Corps four-star generals
- Gray Eagle AwardGray Eagle AwardThe Gray Eagle Award is presented to the Naval Aviator on continuous active duty in U.S. Navy or Marine Corps who has held that designation for the longest period of time....