Ronald S. Coleman
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant General
Ronald S. Coleman is a retired United States Marine
. LtGen Coleman, advanced in rank to lieutenant general
on October 27, 2006, became the second African-American in the Marine Corps to reach the 3-star rank.
Upon graduating from Darby-Colwyn Senior High School, Darby, Pennsylvania, General Coleman joined the United States Navy
in April 1968 and was discharged upon his return from Danang, Republic of Vietnam
in June 1970. Upon graduation from Cheyney State University
in 1973, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in December 1974. Following the Basic School in 1975, he reported to Camp Lejeune
with 2nd Marine Regiment and served as the Regimental Supply Officer, Platoon Commander, and S-4A.
In November 1977, he transferred to 3rd Force Service Support Group, Okinawa, Japan, and deployed with Landing Support Unit Foxtrot.
In November 1978, he reported to Officer Candidate School
and served as the S-4, Supply Officer, Candidate Platoon Commander and Director, Non-Commissioned Officer School. He attended Amphibious Warfare School during the 1981-82 academic year and was then transferred to HQMC
Officer Assignment Branch, and served as a company grade monitor and Administrative Assistant to the Director, Personnel Management Division. In August 1985, Major Coleman was assigned as an Instructor at Amphibious Warfare School. In 1987, he attended the Marine Corps Command and Staff College
.
In 1988, he returned to Okinawa and served as the Operations Officer, 3rd Landing Support Battalion; Executive Officer, 3rd Maintenance Battalion; and Commanding Officer, Combat Service Support Detachment 35, Contingency Marine Air Group Task Force 4-90.
In June 1991, he reported to HQMC and served as the Logistics Project Officer and Head, Maintenance Policy Section, Installations and Logistics Branch. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in May 1992.
In June 1993, he assumed duty as Commanding Officer, 2nd Maintenance Battalion, 2nd Force Service Support Group, and in December 1994, was reassigned as the Group Deputy Operations Officer. In August 1995, he reported to the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, National Defense University
.
In 1996, he reported to the Pentagon
in the Logistics Directorate J-4, as Deputy Division Chief, Logistic Readiness Center.
He was promoted to colonel in July 1997 and returned to Camp Lejeune in 1998 for duty with the 2nd Marine Division as the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-4. In April 1999, he deployed to the Balkan Region and served as J-4, Joint Task Force Shining Hope. He assumed command of 2nd Supply Battalion in July 1999. In June 2001 he reported to HQMC as the Assistant Deputy Commandant Installations and Logistics (Facilities) and was promoted to brigadier general in November 2002.
General Coleman reported to 2nd Force Service Support Group in June 2003 and deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as Commanding General Special Purpose MAGTF until November 2003. He deployed again from February 2004 until June 2004 as Commanding General, Combined Joint Task Force Haiti, in support of Operation Secure Democracy. For his leadership in Haiti, the French government awarded him the Gold Medal of French Defense.
General Coleman was assigned as the Director, Personnel Management Division on July 1, 2005 and was advanced in rank to Major General in May 2006.
On September 29, 2006, General Coleman was assigned as Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs and selected for appointment to the rank of Lieutenant General. Coleman received his third star on October 27, 2006. He is only the second African American to attain the rank of Lieutenant General in the United States Marine Corps.
In December 2009, Coleman returned and turned his post over to LtGen Richard C. Zilmer.
Lieutenant General (United States)
In the United States Army, the United States Air Force and the United States Marine Corps, lieutenant general is a three-star general officer rank, with the pay grade of O-9. Lieutenant general ranks above major general and below general...
Ronald S. Coleman is a retired United States Marine
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...
. LtGen Coleman, advanced in rank to lieutenant general
Lieutenant General (United States)
In the United States Army, the United States Air Force and the United States Marine Corps, lieutenant general is a three-star general officer rank, with the pay grade of O-9. Lieutenant general ranks above major general and below general...
on October 27, 2006, became the second African-American in the Marine Corps to reach the 3-star rank.
Military service
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
in April 1968 and was discharged upon his return from Danang, Republic of Vietnam
South Vietnam
South Vietnam was a state which governed southern Vietnam until 1975. It received international recognition in 1950 as the "State of Vietnam" and later as the "Republic of Vietnam" . Its capital was Saigon...
in June 1970. Upon graduation from Cheyney State University
Cheyney University of Pennsylvania
Cheyney University of Pennsylvania is a public, co-educational historically black university that is a part of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. Cheyney University has a campus that is located in the Cheyney community within Thornbury Township, Chester County and Thornbury...
in 1973, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in December 1974. Following the Basic School in 1975, he reported to Camp Lejeune
Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune
Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune is a United States military training facility in North Carolina. The base's of beaches make it a major area for amphibious assault training, and its location between two deep-water ports allows for fast deployments.The main base is supplemented by five satellite...
with 2nd Marine Regiment and served as the Regimental Supply Officer, Platoon Commander, and S-4A.
In November 1977, he transferred to 3rd Force Service Support Group, Okinawa, Japan, and deployed with Landing Support Unit Foxtrot.
In November 1978, he reported to Officer Candidate School
Officer Candidate School (U.S. Marine Corps)
The United States Marine Corps Officer Candidates School is the entry-level training for Marine officers, equivalent to recruit training for enlisted Marines. Located at Marine Corps Base Quantico, the school trains, screens, and evaluates potential Marine Corps officers...
and served as the S-4, Supply Officer, Candidate Platoon Commander and Director, Non-Commissioned Officer School. He attended Amphibious Warfare School during the 1981-82 academic year and was then transferred to HQMC
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...
Officer Assignment Branch, and served as a company grade monitor and Administrative Assistant to the Director, Personnel Management Division. In August 1985, Major Coleman was assigned as an Instructor at Amphibious Warfare School. In 1987, he attended the Marine Corps Command and Staff College
Command and Staff College
The Command and Staff College was established in 1907 at Quetta, Balochistan, British Raj, now in Pakistan, and is the oldest and the most prestigious institution of the Pakistan Army. It was established in 1905 in Deolali and moved to its present location at Quetta in 1907 under the name of Quetta...
.
In 1988, he returned to Okinawa and served as the Operations Officer, 3rd Landing Support Battalion; Executive Officer, 3rd Maintenance Battalion; and Commanding Officer, Combat Service Support Detachment 35, Contingency Marine Air Group Task Force 4-90.
In June 1991, he reported to HQMC and served as the Logistics Project Officer and Head, Maintenance Policy Section, Installations and Logistics Branch. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in May 1992.
In June 1993, he assumed duty as Commanding Officer, 2nd Maintenance Battalion, 2nd Force Service Support Group, and in December 1994, was reassigned as the Group Deputy Operations Officer. In August 1995, he reported to the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, National Defense University
National Defense University
The National Defense University is an institution of higher education funded by the United States Department of Defense, intended to facilitate high-level training, education, and the development of national security strategy. It is chartered by the Joint Chiefs of Staff, with Navy Vice Admiral...
.
In 1996, he reported to the Pentagon
The Pentagon
The Pentagon is the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense, located in Arlington County, Virginia. As a symbol of the U.S. military, "the Pentagon" is often used metonymically to refer to the Department of Defense rather than the building itself.Designed by the American architect...
in the Logistics Directorate J-4, as Deputy Division Chief, Logistic Readiness Center.
He was promoted to colonel in July 1997 and returned to Camp Lejeune in 1998 for duty with the 2nd Marine Division as the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-4. In April 1999, he deployed to the Balkan Region and served as J-4, Joint Task Force Shining Hope. He assumed command of 2nd Supply Battalion in July 1999. In June 2001 he reported to HQMC as the Assistant Deputy Commandant Installations and Logistics (Facilities) and was promoted to brigadier general in November 2002.
General Coleman reported to 2nd Force Service Support Group in June 2003 and deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as Commanding General Special Purpose MAGTF until November 2003. He deployed again from February 2004 until June 2004 as Commanding General, Combined Joint Task Force Haiti, in support of Operation Secure Democracy. For his leadership in Haiti, the French government awarded him the Gold Medal of French Defense.
General Coleman was assigned as the Director, Personnel Management Division on July 1, 2005 and was advanced in rank to Major General in May 2006.
On September 29, 2006, General Coleman was assigned as Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs and selected for appointment to the rank of Lieutenant General. Coleman received his third star on October 27, 2006. He is only the second African American to attain the rank of Lieutenant General in the United States Marine Corps.
In December 2009, Coleman returned and turned his post over to LtGen Richard C. Zilmer.
Awards
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| 1st Row | Defense Superior Service Medal Defense Superior Service Medal The Defense Superior Service Medal is a senior United States military decoration of the Department of Defense, awarded to members of the United States armed forces who perform "superior meritorious service in a position of significant responsibility."... |
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... |
Defense Meritorious Service Medal Defense Meritorious Service Medal The Defense Meritorious Service Medal is the third-highest award bestowed upon members of the United States military by the United States Department of Defense... |
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| 2nd Row | Meritorious Service Medal Meritorious Service Medal (United States) The Meritorious Service Medal is a military decoration presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969... 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... |
Joint Service Commendation Medal Commendation Medal The Commendation Medal is a mid-level United States military decoration which is presented for sustained acts of heroism or meritorious service. For valorous actions in direct contact with an enemy force, but of a lesser degree than required for the award of the Bronze Star, the Valor device may... |
Joint Meritorious Unit Award Joint Meritorious Unit Award The Joint Meritorious Unit Award is a military award that was established on June 4, 1981 by Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger and was implemented by Department of Defense Directive 1348.27 dated July 22, 1982... |
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... 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... |
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| 3rd Row | 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/ 2 service stars |
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal is a military award of the United States military, which was first created in 1961 by Executive Order of President John Kennedy... |
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/ 3 service stars |
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| 4th Row | Kosovo Campaign Medal Kosovo Campaign Medal The Kosovo Campaign Medal is a military award of the United States armed forces established by Executive Order 13154 of President Bill Clinton on May 3, 2000... |
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal is a United States armed forces military award created by George W. Bush on March 12, 2003 by Executive Order 13289. It recognizes those military service members who have deployed overseas in direct service to the War on Terror from September 11,... |
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Global War on Terrorism Service Medal The Global War on Terrorism Service Medal is a military award of the United States military which was created by Executive Order 13289 of President George W. Bush on March 12, 2003... |
Armed Forces Service Medal Armed Forces Service Medal The Armed Forces Service Medal is a military award of the United States military which was created on January 11, 1996 by President Bill Clinton under... |
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| 5th Row | Humanitarian Service Medal Humanitarian Service Medal The Humanitarian Service Medal is a military service medal of the United States armed forces which was created on January 19, 1977 by President Gerald Ford under... |
Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon Sea Service Ribbon A Sea Service Ribbon is an award of the United States Navy, United States Coast Guard and the United States Army which recognizes those service members who have performed military duty while stationed on a vessel at sea.... w/ 5 service stars |
Marine Corps Drill Instructor Ribbon Drill Instructor Ribbon A Drill Instructor Ribbon is a military award of the United States Armed Forces which is issued by the Navy, Air Force and United States Marine Corps... |
French Medal of National Defense Ribbons of the French military and civil awards This is a list of the ribbons of the French military and civil awards.-French National Orders:-French Ministerial Orders:-The principal French military awards:-The French commemorative awards:- Medals of Honor :-The other awards:... , Gold |
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| 7th Row | 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 Civil Actions unit citation Vietnam Civil Actions Medal The Vietnam Civil Actions Medal was a decoration of South Vietnam which was first established in 1964. The decoration is a mid-level service award which was awarded to any member of the Vietnamese military who performed outstanding civic service to the state or who participated in civil service... |
NATO Medal for Kosovo NATO Medal The NATO Medal is an international military decoration which is awarded to various militaries of the world under the authority of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization . It is manufactured by Eekelers - Centini, International, of Hemiksem, Belgium... |
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... |
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| Office of the Secretary of Defense Identification Badge Office of the Secretary of Defense Identification Badge The Office of the Secretary of Defense Identification Badge is a military badge issued to members of the United States armed forces who are permanently assigned to the Office of the Secretary of Defense and its subordinate offices, and in addition, to some of the Defense Agencies and Department of... |
Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge The Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge is a U.S. Military badge presented to the members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff upon appointment to position as either a Service Head, Vice Chairman, or Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The decoration is also authorized to staff and... |
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External links
- Manpower & Reserve Affairs Department, United States Marine Corps. Retrieved 2006-10-27.