Francis L. Donovan is a
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps (USMC), also referred to as the United States Marines, is the maritime land force service branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for conducting expeditionary and amphibious operations through combi ...
lieutenant general
Lieutenant general (Lt Gen, LTG and similar) is a three-star military rank (NATO code OF-8) used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages, where the title of lieutenant general was held by the second-in-command on the ...
who serves as the vice commander of the
United States Special Operations Command. He has served as the
commanding general of the 2nd Marine Division from 2020 to 2022.
As a LtCol, Donovan served as Executive Officer of Marine Corps Special Operations Command Detachment One (
Det One
The Marine Corps Special Operations Command Detachment One, also simply known as Det One, was a pilot program of attaching a permanent unit of the United States Marine Corps to the United States Special Operations Command. It was commanded by Col ...
) from 16 April 2005 to 10 March 2006. He later served as the Assistant Commanding General,
Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC). Prior to JSOC, Major General Donovan spent two years as the Commanding General of Naval Amphibious Forces, Task Force 51 / 5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade - known as Task Force 51/5.
Donovan earned a B.A. degree in geography from
Towson University. He later received a Master of Military Studies degree from the
Marine Corps Command and Staff College and a Master of Strategic Studies degree the
U.S. Army War College.
After division command, he served as the director of Marine Corps Communication.
In September 2022, Donovan was nominated for promotion to lieutenant general with assignment as vice commander, U.S. Special Operations Command. He was confirmed December 15, 2022.
Awards and decorations
References
External links
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Year of birth missing (living people)
Living people
Place of birth missing (living people)
Towson University alumni
Recipients of the Silver Star
Marine Corps University alumni
United States Army War College alumni
Recipients of the Meritorious Service Medal (United States)
Recipients of the Legion of Merit
United States Marine Corps generals
Recipients of the Defense Superior Service Medal
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