Jarvis Lynch
Encyclopedia
Major General
Jarvis D. Lynch Jr., USMC, (born February 17, 1933) retired in 1991 as the Commanding General, Marine Corps Recruit Depot
/Commanding General, Eastern Recruiting Region, Parris Island, South Carolina
.
, General Lynch was born on February 17, 1933, and graduated from Glassboro High School
in 1951.
in June 1956, and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps. He also holds an M.S. degree in Management Technology from American University
, conferred in 1973.
Upon completion of The Basic School, Quantico, Virginia
., in March 1957, he was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 4th Marines in Hawaii
. While there, he was promoted to first lieutenant in December 1957. Transferred to Los Angeles, California
, in May 1959, he was assigned to the Officer Selection Team as the Assistant Officer Selection Officer until May 1962. He was promoted to captain in October 1961. Lynch transferred overseas in July 1962, where he served for a year as an Assistant Operations Officer, 3d Marine Division, on Okinawa. On his return to the states in August 1963, he served for two years as the Senior Tactics instructor and Chief Instructor of the 2d Infantry Training Regiment, Camp Pendleton, California. During July 1965, he returned to the United States Naval Academy
as an Instructor and Company Officer. While at Annapolis, he was promoted to major in October 1966.
From August 1967 until June 1968, he attended the Marine Corps Command and Staff College at Quantico, graduating as an Honor Graduate. He was transferred to Vietnam
for duty as the Operations Officer of 2d Battalion, 26th Marines (also Battalion Landing Team 2/26) and later with Special Landing Force Alpha. Ordered to Headquarters Marine Corps, Washington, D.C.
, in August 1969, General Lynch served as a Plans Officer in the Plans and Programs Branch, G-3 Division.
In January 1972, he returned to school and received his master's degree from American University
in Washington, D.C. following completion of school in July 1973, Lynch was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel
. He was assigned duties as Instructor and Chief of Combat Service Support Instruction Division, Education Center, at the Marine Corps Combat Development and Education Command, Quantico. From April 1977 until June 1978, Lynch attended the Naval War College
at Newport, Rhode Island
, graduating with distinction. The following month, he returned to the Far East for duty as the Operations Officer of III Marine Amphibious Force, on Okinawa. During December of that year, he was promoted to colonel.
Lynch reported to New Orleans and assumed duty as the Deputy Director, 8th Marine Corps district, in August 1979. In June 1981, he became the 18th Director of the 8th Marine Corps District in New Orleans. He served in this capacity until June 1983, when he reported to Headquarters, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, Camp H. M. Smith
, Hawaii, to assume the duties as Chief of Staff. While serving in this capacity, he was selected in February 1985 for promotion to Brigadier General
. He was advanced to that grade on June 18, 1985 and assigned as the assistant Chief of Staff for Operations, Headquarters, Allied Forces, Northern European Command, near Oslo, Norway on July 15, 1985.
Lynch was assigned as the Commanding General, 2nd Force Service Support Group (Rein), Camp Lejeune, North Carolina
, on 18 September 1987. He was advanced to Major General
on 5 May 1988.
magazine.
Major general (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force, major general is a two-star general-officer rank, with the pay grade of O-8. Major general ranks above brigadier general and below lieutenant general...
Jarvis D. Lynch Jr., USMC, (born February 17, 1933) retired in 1991 as the Commanding General, Marine Corps Recruit Depot
Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island
Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island is an military installation located within Port Royal, South Carolina, approximately south of Beaufort, the community that is typically associated with the installation. MCRD Parris Island is used for the training of enlisted Marines...
/Commanding General, Eastern Recruiting Region, Parris Island, South Carolina
Parris Island, South Carolina
Parris Island is a former census-designated place , currently a portion of Port Royal in Beaufort County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 4,841 at the 2000 census. As defined by the U.S. Census Bureau, Parris Island is included within the Beaufort Urban Cluster and the larger...
.
Early years
A native of Glassboro, New JerseyGlassboro, New Jersey
Glassboro is a borough in Gloucester County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the borough population was 19,068....
, General Lynch was born on February 17, 1933, and graduated from Glassboro High School
Glassboro High School
Glassboro High School is a comprehensive community public high school that serves students in ninth through twelfth grades from Glassboro, in Gloucester County, New Jersey, United States, operating as part of the Glassboro Public Schools....
in 1951.
Military career
He received his B.S. Degree from the U.S. Naval AcademyUnited States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
in June 1956, and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps. He also holds an M.S. degree in Management Technology from American University
American University
American University is a private, Methodist, liberal arts, and research university in Washington, D.C. The university was chartered by an Act of Congress on December 5, 1892 as "The American University", which was approved by President Benjamin Harrison on February 24, 1893...
, conferred in 1973.
Upon completion of The Basic School, Quantico, Virginia
Quantico, Virginia
- Demographics :As of the census of 2000, there are 561 people, 295 households, and 107 families living in the town. The population density is . There are 359 housing units at an average density of .-Racial composition:...
., in March 1957, he was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 4th Marines in Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
. While there, he was promoted to first lieutenant in December 1957. Transferred to Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
, in May 1959, he was assigned to the Officer Selection Team as the Assistant Officer Selection Officer until May 1962. He was promoted to captain in October 1961. Lynch transferred overseas in July 1962, where he served for a year as an Assistant Operations Officer, 3d Marine Division, on Okinawa. On his return to the states in August 1963, he served for two years as the Senior Tactics instructor and Chief Instructor of the 2d Infantry Training Regiment, Camp Pendleton, California. During July 1965, he returned to the United States Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
as an Instructor and Company Officer. While at Annapolis, he was promoted to major in October 1966.
From August 1967 until June 1968, he attended the Marine Corps Command and Staff College at Quantico, graduating as an Honor Graduate. He was transferred to Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
for duty as the Operations Officer of 2d Battalion, 26th Marines (also Battalion Landing Team 2/26) and later with Special Landing Force Alpha. Ordered to Headquarters Marine Corps, Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, in August 1969, General Lynch served as a Plans Officer in the Plans and Programs Branch, G-3 Division.
In January 1972, he returned to school and received his master's degree from American University
American University
American University is a private, Methodist, liberal arts, and research university in Washington, D.C. The university was chartered by an Act of Congress on December 5, 1892 as "The American University", which was approved by President Benjamin Harrison on February 24, 1893...
in Washington, D.C. following completion of school in July 1973, Lynch was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Air Force, and United States Marine Corps, a lieutenant colonel is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of major and just below the rank of colonel. It is equivalent to the naval rank of commander in the other uniformed services.The pay...
. He was assigned duties as Instructor and Chief of Combat Service Support Instruction Division, Education Center, at the Marine Corps Combat Development and Education Command, Quantico. From April 1977 until June 1978, Lynch attended the Naval War College
Naval War College
The Naval War College is an education and research institution of the United States Navy that specializes in developing ideas for naval warfare and passing them along to officers of the Navy. The college is located on the grounds of Naval Station Newport in Newport, Rhode Island...
at Newport, Rhode Island
Newport, Rhode Island
Newport is a city on Aquidneck Island in Newport County, Rhode Island, United States, about south of Providence. Known as a New England summer resort and for the famous Newport Mansions, it is the home of Salve Regina University and Naval Station Newport which houses the United States Naval War...
, graduating with distinction. The following month, he returned to the Far East for duty as the Operations Officer of III Marine Amphibious Force, on Okinawa. During December of that year, he was promoted to colonel.
Lynch reported to New Orleans and assumed duty as the Deputy Director, 8th Marine Corps district, in August 1979. In June 1981, he became the 18th Director of the 8th Marine Corps District in New Orleans. He served in this capacity until June 1983, when he reported to Headquarters, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, Camp H. M. Smith
Camp H. M. Smith
Camp H. M. Smith is a United States Marine Corps installation in the Hawaiian town of Aiea on the island of Oahu, near the community of Halawa Heights...
, Hawaii, to assume the duties as Chief of Staff. While serving in this capacity, he was selected in February 1985 for promotion to Brigadier General
Brigadier general (United States)
A brigadier general in the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, is a one-star general officer, with the pay grade of O-7. Brigadier general ranks above a colonel and below major general. Brigadier general is equivalent to the rank of rear admiral in the other uniformed...
. He was advanced to that grade on June 18, 1985 and assigned as the assistant Chief of Staff for Operations, Headquarters, Allied Forces, Northern European Command, near Oslo, Norway on July 15, 1985.
Lynch was assigned as the Commanding General, 2nd Force Service Support Group (Rein), Camp Lejeune, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, on 18 September 1987. He was advanced to Major General
Major general (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force, major general is a two-star general-officer rank, with the pay grade of O-8. Major general ranks above brigadier general and below lieutenant general...
on 5 May 1988.
Post-military life
In 1995, General Lynch was named the U.S. Naval Institute's, "Distinguished Author of the Year." A 1988 article, "Landmines, Lies and Other Phenomena", addressing the subject of the ongoing landmine controversy, appeared in the Naval Institute's ProceedingsProceedings
In academia, proceedings are the collection of academic papers that are published in the context of an academic conference. They are usually distributed as printed books either before the conference opens or after the conference has closed. Proceedings contain the contributions made by researchers...
magazine.
Awards
General Lynch's decorations and medals include:| 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... |
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| 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... |
Bronze Star Bronze Star Medal The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the... w/ 1 award star Award star An award star is a decoration issued to personnel of the United States Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard in lieu of multiple awards of the same award. An award star is very similar to an oak leaf cluster, which serves the same purpose in the United States Army and United States Air Force... & valor device Valor device The Valor device is an award of the United States military which is a bronze attachment to certain medals to indicate that it was received for valor... |
Combat Action Ribbon Combat Action Ribbon The Combat Action Ribbon is a personal military decoration of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, and United States Coast Guard which is awarded to those who, in any grade including and below that of a Captain in the Navy and Coast Guard , have actively participated in ground or... |
Navy Presidential Unit Citation |
| Navy Unit Commendation Navy Unit Commendation The Navy Unit Commendation of the United States Navy is an award that was established by order of the Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal on 18 December 1944... |
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/ 1 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... |
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... w/ 4 service stars |
| Navy & Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon Overseas Service Ribbon An Overseas Service Ribbon is a service military award of the United States military which recognizes those service members who have performed military tours of duty outside the borders of the United States of America. There are different versions of the Overseas Service Ribbons for the U.S. Army,... |
Vietnam Gallantry Cross Vietnam Gallantry Cross The Vietnam Gallantry Cross was a military decoration of South Vietnam which wasestablished in August 1950. Also known as the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, the Gallantry Cross was awarded to any military personnel who have accomplished deeds of valor or displayed heroic conduct while fighting an... w/ gold star |
Vietnam Gallantry Cross unit citation Vietnam Gallantry Cross The Vietnam Gallantry Cross was a military decoration of South Vietnam which wasestablished in August 1950. Also known as the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, the Gallantry Cross was awarded to any military personnel who have accomplished deeds of valor or displayed heroic conduct while fighting an... |
Vietnam Campaign Medal Vietnam Campaign Medal The Vietnam Campaign Medal is a military recognition awarded by the Republic of Vietnam, , to any member of the United States, Australian, New Zealand and allied military forces serving six months or more in support of Republic of Vietnam military operations.Established in 1966, the decoration is... |
Further reading
- Lynch, MajGen Jarvis L., USMC retired. "Landmines, Lies and Other Phenomena" in U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings, May 1998.