Earl B. Hailston (born May 27, 1947) is a retired Marine Corps lieutenant general. He was Commanding General of
United States Marine Corps Forces Pacific,
U.S. Marine Forces Central Command
The United States Marine Corps Forces Central Command is headquartered at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida.
The Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Central Command (COMUSMARCENT), is designated as the Marine Corps service component comm ...
, and U.S. Marine Corps Bases Pacific.
Early career
Hailston began his career in the Marine Corps as an enlisted infantry rifleman in 1967.
After completing boot camp, he reported to the 2nd Marine Division for duty as an infantry rifleman.
Shortly after, Hailston entered the Enlisted Commissioning Program and received his commission in 1968.
After completing The Basic School, Hailston received assignment as a rifle platoon commander with India Company "I",
3rd Battalion, 27th Marines.
Vietnam Service
From July 1969 to January 1971, Hailston served in the Republic of Vietnam assigned to the
1st Reconnaissance Battalion
1st Reconnaissance Battalion (abbreviated as 1st Recon Bn) is a reconnaissance battalion in the United States Marine Corps. It is a stand-alone battalion with no parent regiment. Instead, it falls directly under the command of the 1st Marine ...
1st Marine Division.
Later career
He attended flight training in Pensacola, Florida, receiving his wings in June 1973.
Other training schools attended include Amphibious Warfare School and the Air Command And Staff College. He earned his bachelor's degree from
Troy State University
Troy University is a public university in Troy, Alabama. It was founded in 1887 as Troy State Normal School within the Alabama State University System, and is now the flagship university of the Troy University System. Troy University is accredi ...
.
In May 1994, Hailston was promoted to the rank of brigadier general and was commander of the 3rd Force Service Support Group, FMF, Pacific, Okinawa, Japan. Further commands included:
*July 1996 – Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff, Installations and Logistics (Facilities), Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Washington, D.C.
*March 1997 to June 1999 – Promotion to major general U.S. Pacific Command Director of Strategic Plans and Policy (J-5).
*June 1999 – III Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Corps Bases Japan. Promotion to lieutenant general in June 1999.
*August 2001 to retirement – Component Commander for the U.S. Pacific Command and U.S. Central Command.
In mid January 2002, General Tommy Franks forward deployed Hailston's command to Bahrain.
Okinawa Email controversy
While serving as commanding general of the III Marine Expeditionary Force, General Hailston drafted an email to 13 USMC officers in which he called the local Okinawa officials "all nuts and a bunch of wimps". The email followed a January 2001 incident where a Marine was arrested for lifting up the dress of an Okinawan schoolgirl.
Hailston later made an apology stating:
The message was an attempt, in a very emotional manner, to gain the strict attention of my commanders. If my remarks in the e-mail are construed as suggesting anything else, then I am deeply sorry and apologize for the misunderstanding.
In retirement
He serves as Chairman of the Air Warrior Courage Foundation.
Awards
References
External links
Official Biography for Earl B. Hailston
1947 births
Living people
United States Marine Corps personnel of the Vietnam War
Recipients of the Silver Star
Recipients of the Legion of Merit
Recipients of the Gallantry Cross (Vietnam)
United States Marine Corps generals
Recipients of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal
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