Jerome G. Cooper
Encyclopedia
Jerome Gary Cooper is a former officer of the United States Marine Corps
who served as Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Manpower & Reserve Affairs)
from 1989 to 1992, and as United States Ambassador to Jamaica
from 1994 to 1997.
. He attended high school at McGill-Toolen Catholic High School
. He was educated at the University of Notre Dame
, receiving a B.A. in 1958.
After college, Cooper joined the United States Marine Corps
. During the Vietnam War
, he became the first African American
to ever command a Marine Corps infantry
company
. He left the Marine Corps in 1970. During his time in the Marine Corps, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal
, the Legion of Merit
, the Bronze Star Medal
, two Purple Heart
s and three Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Crosses.
In 1970, Cooper left the Marine Corps, though he continued to serve as a major
in the United States Marine Corps Reserve
. From 1970, he was Director of an insurance company and funeral home that had been owned by his family for decades in Mobile, Alabama
. He was elected to the Alabama Legislature
in 1973. In 1978, the Governor of Alabama named Cooper to his cabinet, with Cooper becoming Commissioner of the Alabama State Department of Human Resources.
Cooper attended the program for Senior Executives in Government at Harvard University
in 1979. He joined David Volkert and Associates, a regional engineering and architectural firm in Mobile, Alabama, as vice president for marketing in 1981.
In 1988, Cooper returned to active duty
in the Marine Corps, being promoted to major general
and becoming Director of Personnel at Headquarters Marine Corps
. He retired from the Marine Corps in 1989, when President of the United States
George H. W. Bush
nominated Cooper to be Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Manpower & Reserve Affairs)
and, after Senate confirmation, he held this office until 1992. In this capacity, he played a role in planning the Gulf War
.
Cooper returned to David Volkert and Associates in 1992. In 1994, President Bill Clinton
named Cooper United States Ambassador to Jamaica
, and Cooper presented his credentials to Governor-General of Jamaica
Sir Howard Cooke
on November 4, 1994. He left his post as Ambassador on November 27, 1997.
Cooper returned to his home in Mobile in December 1997. He later became CEO of Commonwealth National Bank, and his served on the Board of Directors
of GenCorp
, U.S. Steel
, Protective Life
, and PNC Financial Services
.
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...
who served as Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Manpower & Reserve Affairs)
Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Manpower & Reserve Affairs)
Assistant Secretary of the Air Force is the title of a civilian office in the United States Department of the Air Force...
from 1989 to 1992, and as United States Ambassador to Jamaica
United States Ambassador to Jamaica
This is a list of United States Ambassadors to Jamaica. The U.S. Embassy is located in Jamaica's capital, Kingston, and was established there on August 16, 1962. The current ambassador is Pamela E. Bridgewater.-See also:*Jamaica – United States relations...
from 1994 to 1997.
Biography
Jerome G. Cooper was born on October 2, 1936 in Lafayette, LouisianaLafayette, Louisiana
Lafayette is a city in and the parish seat of Lafayette Parish, Louisiana, United States, on the Vermilion River. The population was 120,623 at the 2010 census...
. He attended high school at McGill-Toolen Catholic High School
McGill-Toolen Catholic High School
McGill-Toolen Catholic High School, located in Mobile, Alabama, is a private co-educational high school operated by the educational system of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Mobile.-History:...
. He was educated at the University of Notre Dame
University of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame du Lac is a Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community north of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States...
, receiving a B.A. in 1958.
After college, Cooper joined the United States Marine Corps
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...
. During the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
, he became the first African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
to ever command a Marine Corps infantry
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
company
Company (military unit)
A company is a military unit, typically consisting of 80–225 soldiers and usually commanded by a Captain, Major or Commandant. Most companies are formed of three to five platoons although the exact number may vary by country, unit type, and structure...
. He left the Marine Corps in 1970. During his time in the Marine Corps, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal
Distinguished Service Medal (United States)
The Distinguished Service Medal is the highest non-valorous military and civilian decoration of the United States military which is issued for exceptionally meritorious service to the government of the United States in either a senior government service position or as a senior officer of the United...
, the 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...
, the Bronze Star Medal
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...
, two Purple Heart
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
s and three Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Crosses.
In 1970, Cooper left the Marine Corps, though he continued to serve as a major
Major (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, major is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel...
in the United States Marine Corps Reserve
United States Marine Corps Reserve
The Marine Forces Reserve is the reserve force of the United States Marine Corps. It is the largest command in the U.S...
. From 1970, he was Director of an insurance company and funeral home that had been owned by his family for decades in Mobile, Alabama
Mobile, Alabama
Mobile is the third most populous city in the Southern US state of Alabama and is the county seat of Mobile County. It is located on the Mobile River and the central Gulf Coast of the United States. The population within the city limits was 195,111 during the 2010 census. It is the largest...
. He was elected to the Alabama Legislature
Alabama Legislature
The Alabama Legislature is the legislative branch of the state government of Alabama. It is a bicameral body composed of the Alabama House of Representatives, with 105 members, and the Alabama Senate, with 35 members...
in 1973. In 1978, the Governor of Alabama named Cooper to his cabinet, with Cooper becoming Commissioner of the Alabama State Department of Human Resources.
Cooper attended the program for Senior Executives in Government at Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
in 1979. He joined David Volkert and Associates, a regional engineering and architectural firm in Mobile, Alabama, as vice president for marketing in 1981.
In 1988, Cooper returned to active duty
Active duty
Active duty refers to a full-time occupation as part of a military force, as opposed to reserve duty.-Pakistan:The Pakistan Armed Forces are one of the largest active service forces in the world with almost 610,000 full time personnel due to the complex and volatile nature of Pakistan's...
in the Marine Corps, being promoted 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...
and becoming Director of Personnel at Headquarters Marine Corps
Headquarters Marine Corps
Headquarters Marine Corps is a headquarters staff within the Department of the Navy which includes the offices of the Commandant of the Marine Corps, the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps and various staff functions...
. He retired from the Marine Corps in 1989, when President of the United States
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
George H. W. Bush
George H. W. Bush
George Herbert Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 41st President of the United States . He had previously served as the 43rd Vice President of the United States , a congressman, an ambassador, and Director of Central Intelligence.Bush was born in Milton, Massachusetts, to...
nominated Cooper to be Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Manpower & Reserve Affairs)
Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Manpower & Reserve Affairs)
Assistant Secretary of the Air Force is the title of a civilian office in the United States Department of the Air Force...
and, after Senate confirmation, he held this office until 1992. In this capacity, he played a role in planning the Gulf War
Gulf War
The Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
.
Cooper returned to David Volkert and Associates in 1992. In 1994, President Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
named Cooper United States Ambassador to Jamaica
United States Ambassador to Jamaica
This is a list of United States Ambassadors to Jamaica. The U.S. Embassy is located in Jamaica's capital, Kingston, and was established there on August 16, 1962. The current ambassador is Pamela E. Bridgewater.-See also:*Jamaica – United States relations...
, and Cooper presented his credentials to Governor-General of Jamaica
Governor-General of Jamaica
The Governor-General of Jamaica represents the Jamaican monarch, and head of state, who holds the title of King or Queen of Jamaica ....
Sir Howard Cooke
Howard Cooke
Sir Howard Felix Hanlan Cooke, ON, GCMG, GCVO, CD, K.St.J was the Governor-General of Jamaica from August 1, 1991 until February 15, 2006 when he became the first governor-general to invest his own successor, Professor Kenneth Octavius Hall...
on November 4, 1994. He left his post as Ambassador on November 27, 1997.
Cooper returned to his home in Mobile in December 1997. He later became CEO of Commonwealth National Bank, and his served on the Board of Directors
Board of directors
A board of directors is a body of elected or appointed members who jointly oversee the activities of a company or organization. Other names include board of governors, board of managers, board of regents, board of trustees, and board of visitors...
of GenCorp
GenCorp
GenCorp is an American technology-based manufacturer based in Rancho Cordova, California. Established in 1915, GenCorp was formerly the General Tire and Rubber Company....
, U.S. Steel
U.S. Steel
The United States Steel Corporation , more commonly known as U.S. Steel, is an integrated steel producer with major production operations in the United States, Canada, and Central Europe. The company is the world's tenth largest steel producer ranked by sales...
, Protective Life
Protective Life
Protective Life Corporation, headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, is a Fortune 1000 holding company whose subsidiaries provide financial services through the production, distribution, and administration of insurance and investment products. Protective Life Insurance Company was founded in 1907 by...
, and PNC Financial Services
PNC Financial Services
PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. is a U.S.-based financial services corporation, with assets of approximately $264.3 billion...
.