Lieutenant General George R. Christmas, USMC (Ret )
Lieutenant General Christmas is currently the President of the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation and is involved in numerous other projects which include: Senior Mentor, MAGTF Staff Training Program; Member, Senior Military Advisers Forum, JSIMS Enterprise, SAIC/TRW; Senior Mentor, JTASC Exercise Support, TRW; Trustee, Young Marines, and; Trustee, U.S. Naval Institute Foundation. He was commissioned into the Marine Corps through the NROTC program at the University of Pennsylvania in 1962. He served in various infantry command and staff assignments as a company grade officer including command of Company H, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines in Vietnam. He was seriously wounded during the battle for Hue City during Tet '68 and for his actions there was awarded the Navy Cross. Some of his key assignments include CO, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, MCRD Parris Island; CO, 3rd Marines; CG, 3rd FSSG; CG, I MEF; Director, J-3, USCINCPAC. He retired from the Corps in 1996 after 34 years active duty. His final assignment was Deputy Chief of Staff, Manpower and Reserve Affairs. LtGen Christmas is married to the former Sherrill Lownds. They have 4 children.