Earl B. Hailston

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, 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. 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.

Awards

SCUBA Diver badgeNaval Aviator BadgeDefense Distinguished Service Medal Silver StarLegion of MeritBronze Star w/ valor deviceDefense Meritorious Service MedalMeritorious Service Medal w/ 1 award starNavy and Marine Corps Commendation MedalCombat Action RibbonJoint Meritorious Unit AwardNavy Unit CommendationNavy Meritorious Unit CommendationNational Defense Service Medal w/ 1 service starVietnam Service Medal w/ 1 service starNavy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon w/ 3 service starsNavy & Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon w/ 2 service starsVietnam Gallantry Cross w/ gold starVietnam Armed Forces Honor MedalVietnam Gallantry Cross unit citationVietnam Civil Actions unit citationVietnam Campaign Medal