Second highest-ranking officer in the U.S. Marine Corps
The assistant commandant of the Marine Corps (ACMC ) is the second highest-ranking officer in the
United States Marine Corps , and serves as a deputy for the
commandant of the Marine Corps (CMC). Before 1946, the title was known as the assistant to the commandant .
The assistant commandant is nominated for appointment by the
president and must be confirmed via majority vote by the
Senate . If the commandant is absent or is unable to perform his duties, then the assistant commandant assumes the duties and responsibilities of the commandant. For this reason, the assistant commandant is appointed to a rank equal to the sitting commandant; since 1971, each assistant commandant has been, by statute, a four-star
general , making it the most common rank held among marines serving this position. Additionally, he may perform other duties that the CMC assigns to him.
[1] Historically, the assistant commandant has served for two to three years. In recent decades, the assistant commandant has frequently been a Marine aviator.
James F. Amos is the first aviator to serve as the assistant commandant and then be promoted to commandant.
The first marine to hold the billet as the "assistant to the commandant" was
Eli K. Cole (
Allen H. Turnage being the last), while
Lemuel C. Shepherd Jr. was the first to hold it as the "assistant commandant".
List of appointees
Assistants to the commandant of the Marine Corps
Before the official title of "Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps" was adopted in 1946, the title of the position was known as "Assistant to the Commandant" and before 1918, known only as "Duty in the Office of the Commandant". No records exist before the outbreak of
World War I about this position, possibly because the Commandant likely had only administrative staff and no deputy.
[2]
The first assistant to the commandant was
Lieutenant Colonel (from 1914
Colonel )
Eli K. Cole , who assumed the position on April 29, 1911. From April 29, 1911, to October 16, 1946, 19 men were assigned to assist the commandant, including five who later became commandant:
John A. Lejeune ,
Wendell C. Neville ,
Ben H. Fuller ,
John H. Russell Jr. , and
Alexander A. Vandegrift .
[2]
No.
Portrait
Assistant to the Commandant of the Marine Corps
Took office
Left office
Time in office
1 Colonel
Eli K. Cole
[3] (1867–1929) April 29, 1911 January 1, 1915 3 years, 247 days
2 Brigadier General
John A. Lejeune
[4] (1867–1942) January 1, 1915 September 10, 1917 2 years, 252 days
3 Brigadier General
Charles G. Long
[5] (1869–1943) September 11, 1917 August 13, 1920 2 years, 337 days
4 Brigadier General
Wendell Cushing Neville
[6] (1870–1930) August 14, 1920 July 11, 1923 2 years, 331 days
5 Major General
Logan Feland
[7] (1869–1936) July 13, 1923 July 31, 1925 2 years, 18 days
6 Brigadier General
Dion Williams
[8] (1869–1952) August 1, 1925 July 1, 1928 2 years, 335 days
7 Brigadier General
Ben Hebard Fuller
[9] (1870–1937) July 2, 1928 July 8, 1930 2 years, 6 days
8 Brigadier General
John Twiggs Myers
[10] (1871–1952) August 1, 1930 February 1, 1933 2 years, 184 days
9 Brigadier General
John H. Russell Jr.
[11] (1872–1947) February 1, 1933 February 28, 1934 1 year, 27 days
10 Brigadier General
Douglas C. McDougal
[12] (1876–1964) April 8, 1934 April 22, 1935 1 year, 14 days
11 Brigadier General
Louis M. Little
[13] (1878–1960) April 22, 1935 May 6, 1937 2 years, 14 days
12 Brigadier General
Holland Smith
[14] (1882–1967) April 1, 1939 September 25, 1939 177 days
13 Brigadier General
Alexander Vandegrift
[15] (1887–1973) March 1, 1940 November 18, 1941 1 year, 262 days
14 Brigadier General
Charles D. Barrett
[16] (1885–1943) November 19, 1941 March 12, 1942 113 days
15 Brigadier General
Ralph S. Keyser
[17] (1883–1955) March 28, 1942 May 24, 1942 57 days
16 Major General
Harry Schmidt
[18] (1886–1968) May 25, 1942 August 1, 1943 1 year, 68 days
17 Major General
Keller E. Rockey
[19] (1888–1970) August 2, 1943 January 17, 1944 168 days
18 Major General
Dewitt Peck
[20] (1894–1973) January 20, 1944 July 30, 1945 1 year, 191 days
19 Major General
Allen H. Turnage
[21] (1891–1971) September 1, 1945 October 16, 1946 1 year, 45 days
Assistant commandants of the Marine Corps
In 1946, Congress established the position of "assistant commandant of the Marine Corps" and since then, 31 men have held the position.
Major General
Lemuel C. Shepherd Jr. was the first to hold the billet and went on to become commandant, as well as six others:
Randolph M. Pate ,
Leonard F. Chapman Jr. ,
Robert H. Barrow ,
Paul X. Kelley ,
James F. Amos and
Joseph Dunford .
[2]
As with the commandant, the assistant commandant of the Marine Corps is appointed by the president based on advice and consent of the Senate and, once appointed, will be promoted to the grade of
general . The duties of the assistant commandant include such authority and duties as the commandant – and with the approval of the
secretary of the Navy – may delegate to or prescribe for him. Orders issued by the assistant commandant in performing such duties have the same effect as those issued by the commandant. When there is a vacancy in the office of the commandant of the Marine Corps, or during the absence or disability of the commandant, the assistant commandant shall perform the duties of the commandant until a successor is appointed or the absence or disability ceases.
[1]
No.
Portrait
Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps
Took office
Left office
Time in office
1 Major General
Lemuel C. Shepherd Jr.
[22] (1896–1990) October 7, 1946 April 14, 1948 1 year, 190 days
2 Major General
Oliver P. Smith
[23] (1893–1977) April 15, 1948 July 19, 1950 2 years, 95 days
3 Lieutenant General
Merwin H. Silverthorn
[24] (1896–1985) July 19, 1950 February 1, 1952 1 year, 197 days
4 Lieutenant General
Gerald C. Thomas
[25] (1894–1984) March 8, 1952 July 1, 1954 2 years, 115 days
5 Lieutenant General
Randolph M. Pate
[26] (1898–1961) July 1, 1954 December 31, 1955 1 year, 183 days
6 Lieutenant General
Vernon E. Megee
[27] (1900–1992) January 1, 1956 November 30, 1957 1 year, 333 days
7 Lieutenant General
Verne J. McCaul
[28] (1903–1968) December 1, 1957 December 31, 1959 2 years, 30 days
8 Lieutenant General
John C. Munn
[29] (1906–1986) January 1, 1960 March 31, 1963 3 years, 89 days
9 Lieutenant General
Charles H. Hayes
[30] (1906–1995) April 1, 1963 June 30, 1965 2 years, 90 days
10 Lieutenant General
Richard C. Mangrum
[31] (1906–1985) July 1, 1965 June 30, 1967 1 year, 364 days
11 Lieutenant General
Leonard F. Chapman Jr.
[32] (1913–2000) July 1, 1967 December 31, 1967 183 days
12 General
Lewis William Walt
[33] (1913–1989) January 1, 1968 January 29, 1971 3 years, 28 days
13 General
Keith B. McCutcheon
[34] (1915–1971) January 30, 1971 March 11, 1971 40 days
14 General
Raymond G. Davis
[35] (1915–2003) March 12, 1971 March 30, 1972 1 year, 18 days
15 General
Earl E. Anderson
[36] (1919–2015) March 12, 1971 March 30, 1972 1 year, 18 days
16 General
Samuel Jaskilka
[37] (1919–2012) July 1, 1975 June 30, 1978 2 years, 364 days
17 General
Robert H. Barrow
[38] (1922–2008) July 1, 1978 July 30, 1979 1 year, 29 days
18 General
Kenneth McLennan
[39] (1925–2005) July 1, 1979 July 30, 1981 2 years, 29 days
19 General
Paul X. Kelley
[40] (1928–2019) July 1, 1981 June 30, 1983 1 year, 364 days
20 General
John K. Davis
[41] (1927–2019) July 1, 1983 May 31, 1986 2 years, 334 days
21 General
Thomas R. Morgan
[42] (born 1930) June 1, 1986 June 30, 1988 2 years, 29 days
22 General
Joseph J. Went
[43] (born 1930) July 1, 1988 July 31, 1990 2 years, 30 days
23 General
John R. Dailey
[44] (born 1934) August 1, 1990 August 31, 1992 2 years, 30 days
24 General
Walter E. Boomer
[45] (born 1938) September 1, 1992 July 14, 1994 1 year, 316 days
25 General
Richard D. Hearney
[46] (born 1939) July 15, 1994 September 26, 1996 2 years, 73 days
26 General
Richard I. Neal
[47] (1942–2022) September 27, 1996 September 4, 1998 1 year, 342 days
27 General
Terrence R. Dake
[48] (born 1944) September 5, 1998 September 7, 2000 2 years, 2 days
28 General
Michael J. Williams
[49] (born 1943) September 8, 2000 September 9, 2002 2 years, 1 day
29 General
William L. Nyland
[50] (born 1946) September 10, 2002 September 7, 2005 2 years, 362 days
30 General
Robert Magnus
[51] (born 1947) September 8, 2005 July 2, 2008 2 years, 298 days
31 General
James F. Amos
[52] (born 1946) July 3, 2008 October 22, 2010 2 years, 111 days
32 General
Joseph F. Dunford Jr.
[53] (born 1955) October 23, 2010 December 15, 2012 2 years, 53 days
33 General
John M. Paxton Jr.
[54] (born 1951) December 15, 2012 August 2, 2016 3 years, 231 days
34 General
Glenn M. Walters
[55] (born 1957) August 2, 2016 October 2, 2018 2 years, 61 days
35 General
Gary L. Thomas (born 1962) October 4, 2018 October 7, 2021 3 years, 3 days
36 General
Eric M. Smith (born 1965) October 8, 2021 September 22, 2023 1 year, 350 days
37 General
Christopher J. Mahoney November 3, 2023 Incumbent 158 days
Timeline
See also
References
General
Specific
^
a
b
10 U.S.C.
§ 5044 Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps.
^
a
b
c
"Marine Corps Assistant Commandants" . Historical Topics: Frequently Requested . Reference Branch,
History Division, United States Marine Corps . Archived from
the original on 2011-05-16. Retrieved 2007-12-29 .
^
"Lieutenant Colonel Eli Kelley Cole, USMC" . Who's Who in Marine Corps History . History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from
the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-03 .
^
"Brigadier General John Archer Lejeune, USMC" . Who's Who in Marine Corps History . History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from
the original on 2010-10-07. Retrieved 2009-07-03 .
^
"Brigadier General Charles Grant Long, USMC" . Who's Who in Marine Corps History . History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from
the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-03 .
^
"Major General Wendell Cushing Neville, USMC" . Who's Who in Marine Corps History . History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from
the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-03 .
^
"Brigadier General Logan Feland, USMC" . Who's Who in Marine Corps History . History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from
the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-03 .
^
"Brigadier General Dion Williams, USMC" . Who's Who in Marine Corps History . History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from
the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-03 .
^
"Brigadier General Ben Hebard Fuller, USMC" . Who's Who in Marine Corps History . History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from
the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-03 .
^
"Brigadier General John Twiggs Myers, USMC" . Who's Who in Marine Corps History . History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from
the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-03 .
^
"Brigadier General John Henry Russell Jr., USMC" . Who's Who in Marine Corps History . History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from
the original on 2010-10-07. Retrieved 2009-07-03 .
^
"Brigadier General Douglas C. McDougal, USMC" . Who's Who in Marine Corps History . History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from
the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-03 .
^
"Brigadier General Louis McCarty Little, USMC" . Who's Who in Marine Corps History . History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from
the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-03 .
^
"Brigadier General Holland McTyeire Smith, USMC" . Who's Who in Marine Corps History . History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from
the original on 2011-05-16. Retrieved 2009-07-03 .
^
"Brigadier General Alexander Archer Vandegrift, USMC" . Who's Who in Marine Corps History . History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from
the original on 2010-10-07. Retrieved 2009-07-03 .
^
"Major General Charles Dodson Barrett, USMC" . Who's Who in Marine Corps History . History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from
the original on 2011-05-16. Retrieved 2009-07-03 .
^
"Major General Ralph Stover Keyser, USMC" . Who's Who in Marine Corps History . History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from
the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-03 .
^
"Major General Harry Schmidt, USMC" . Who's Who in Marine Corps History . History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from
the original on 2011-05-16. Retrieved 2009-07-03 .
^
"Major General Keller E. Rockey, USMC" . Who's Who in Marine Corps History . History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from
the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-03 .
^
"Major General DeWitt Peck, USMC" . Who's Who in Marine Corps History . History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from
the original on 2010-11-14. Retrieved 2009-07-03 .
^
"Major General Allen Hal Turnage, USMC" . Who's Who in Marine Corps History . History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from
the original on 2011-05-16. Retrieved 2009-07-03 .
^
"Major General Lemuel Cornick Shepherd Jr., USMC" . Who's Who in Marine Corps History . History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from
the original on 2012-04-14. Retrieved 2009-07-03 .
^
"Major General Oliver P. Smith, USMC" . Who's Who in Marine Corps History . History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from
the original on 2011-05-16. Retrieved 2009-07-03 .
^
"Lieutenant General Merwin Hancock Silverthorn, USMC" . Who's Who in Marine Corps History . History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from
the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-03 .
^
"Lieutenant General Gerald C. Thomas, USMC" . Who's Who in Marine Corps History . History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from
the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-03 .
^
"Lieutenant General Randolph McCall Pate, USMC" . Who's Who in Marine Corps History . History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from
the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-03 .
^
"Lieutenant General Vernon E. Megee, USMC" . Who's Who in Marine Corps History . History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from
the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-03 .
^
"Lieutenant General Verne J. McCaul, USMC" . Who's Who in Marine Corps History . History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from
the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-03 .
^
"Lieutenant General John Calvin Munn, USMC" . Who's Who in Marine Corps History . History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from
the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-03 .
^
"Lieutenant General Charles Harold Hayes, USMC" . Who's Who in Marine Corps History . History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from
the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-03 .
^
"Lieutenant General Richard C. Mangrum, USMC" . Who's Who in Marine Corps History . History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from
the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-03 .
^
"Lieutenant General Leonard Fielding Chapman, USMC" . Who's Who in Marine Corps History . History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from
the original on 2012-04-18. Retrieved 2009-07-03 .
^
"General Lewis W. Walt, USMC" . Who's Who in Marine Corps History . History Division, United States Marine Corps. Retrieved 2009-07-03 . [
permanent dead link ]
^
"General Keith B. McCutcheon, USMC" . Who's Who in Marine Corps History . History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from
the original on 2010-11-05. Retrieved 2009-07-03 .
^
"General Raymond Gilbert Davis, USMC" . Who's Who in Marine Corps History . History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from
the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-03 .
^
"General Earl Edward Anderson, USMC" . Who's Who in Marine Corps History . History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from
the original on 2010-11-03. Retrieved 2009-07-03 .
^
"General Samuel Jaskilka, USMC" . Who's Who in Marine Corps History . History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from
the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-03 .
^
"General Robert H. Barrow, USMC" . Who's Who in Marine Corps History . History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from
the original on 2012-04-18. Retrieved 2009-07-03 .
^
"General Kenneth McLennan, USMC" . Who's Who in Marine Corps History . History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from
the original on 2011-05-16. Retrieved 2009-07-02 .
^
"General Paul X. Kelley, USMC" . Who's Who in Marine Corps History . History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from
the original on 2012-04-14. Retrieved 2009-07-02 .
^
"General John K. Davis, USMC" . Who's Who in Marine Corps History . History Division, United States Marine Corps. Retrieved 2009-07-02 . [
permanent dead link ]
^
"General Thomas R. Morgan, USMC" . Who's Who in Marine Corps History . History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from
the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-02 .
^
"General Joseph J. Went, USMC" . Who's Who in Marine Corps History . History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from
the original on 2007-02-19. Retrieved 2009-07-02 .
^
"General John R. Dailey, USMC" . Who's Who in Marine Corps History . History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from
the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-02 .
^
"General Walter E. Boomer, USMC" . Who's Who in Marine Corps History . History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from
the original on 2011-05-16. Retrieved 2009-07-02 .
^
"General Richard D. Hearney, USMC" . Who's Who in Marine Corps History . History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from
the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-02 .
^
"General Richard I. Neal, USMC" . Who's Who in Marine Corps History . History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from
the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-02 .
^
"General Terrence R. Dake, USMC" . Who's Who in Marine Corps History . History Division, United States Marine Corps. Retrieved 2009-07-02 . [
permanent dead link ]
^
"General Michael J. Williams, USMC" . Who's Who in Marine Corps History . History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from
the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-02 .
^
"General William L. "Spider" Nyland, USMC" . Who's Who in Marine Corps History . History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from
the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-02 .
^
"General Robert Magnus, USMC" . Who's Who in Marine Corps History . History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from
the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-02 .
^
"General James F. Amos, USMC" . Who's Who in Marine Corps History . History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from
the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-02 .
^
"General Joseph F. Dunford Jr., USMC" . Who's Who in Marine Corps History . History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from
the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2010-10-25 .
^
"General John M. Paxton Jr., USMC" . Who's Who in Marine Corps History . History Division, United States Marine Corps. Retrieved 2012-12-15 .
^
"General Glenn M. Walters, USMC" . Who's Who in Marine Corps History . History Division, United States Marine Corps. Retrieved 2016-08-04 .
Leadership
Major commands Auxiliary Structure Personnel and training
Uniforms and equipment History and traditions