Joseph P. Hoar

General Joseph P. Hoar retired from the Marine Corps on 1 September 1994. His last active duty assignment was as the Commander in Chief, United States Central Command, MacDill AFB, Florida. General Hoar was born on 30 December 1934, in Boston, Massachusetts. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps in 1957, after graduating from Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts. After completing The Basic School, Quantico, Virginia, his first assignment was as a rifle platoon commander in the 5th Marines. He served subsequently in the 1st Battalion, 1st Marines at Camp Pendleton, California, and on Okinawa as a battalion staff officer. His first non-Fleet Marine Force assignment was at Marine Barracks, Yorktown, Virginia. Barracks assignments included platoon commander and guard company commander. After a short tour at Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, as Assistant Manpower, Personnel and Administration Officer, he reported to the 2d Marine Division. He commanded Company M, 3d Battalion, 2d Marines and later served as a battalion and brigade advisor with the Vietnamese Marines. On returning to the United States, he reported to Headquarters Marine Corps, Washington, D.C. During his three-year tour, he served in Operations and as Special Assistant to the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps. In 1971, he returned overseas where he was Executive Officer of the 1st Battalion, 9th Marines. During the period 1972 to 1976, General Hoar was assigned as an instructor at the Marine Corps Command and Staff College, then returned to Headquarters Marine Corps for duty in the Personnel Management Division. General Hoar returned to the 1st Marine Division in 1977 and commanded the 3d Battalion, 1st Marines. Relinquishing command of the battalion, he was reassigned briefly to the Division Staff, and during this time, was promoted to colonel. In 1979, General Hoar once again returned to the 1st Marines. He commanded the regiment until April 1981. He then joined the 31st Marine Amphibious Unit and took command on board the USS Belleau Wood in Freemantle, Australia, in June 1981. During the following year, the MAU participated in three Indian Ocean deployments. Upon returning to the United States, General Hoar was assigned to the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, as the Assistant Chief of Staff, Manpower, Personnel and Administration. While serving in this capacity, he was selected in February 1984 for promotion to brigadier general, and was subsequently assigned duty as the Assistant Division Commander, 2d Marine Division. The next year he was ordered to Washington as the Director, Facilities and Services Division, Installations and Logistics Department, Headquarters Marine Corps. He served in this capacity until ordered to Parris Island, South Carolina, in March 1987 as the Commanding General, Marine Corps Recruit Depot/Commanding General, Eastern Recruiting Region. He was advanced to major general later that year. In the fall of 1988, he reported to the Commander in Chief, United States Central Command and assumed duties as the Chief of Staff. He returned to Headquarters Marine Corps for duties as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans, Policies and Operations in June 1990, was appointed to the grade of lieutenant general on 1 July 1990, and served in that capacity for one year. General Hoar assumed his final position on 9 August 1991. General Hoar has a masters from George Washington University and is a graduate of the Marine Corps Command and Staff College and the National War College. His personal decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal; the Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V" and gold star; and the Meritorious Service Medal with gold star. Source: Marine Corps University: http://www.mcu.usmc.mil/historydivision/Pages/Who's%20Who/G-I/Hoar_JP.aspx