John Admire

John H. Admire is a retired U.S. Marine major general. Admire is a decorated veteran of Vietnam War and previously served as commanding general of 1st Marine Division.

Marine career Admire was commissioned in the United States Marine Corps as a second lieutenant after graduation from University of Oklahoma in 1967. He graduated from The Basic School at Marine Corps Base Quantico and served as Infantry Platoon Leader in Republic of Vietnam with 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines. He later became an Infantry Battalion Advisor to the Vietnamese Marine Corps. He served as company commander in 2nd Marine Division. Colonel Admire served as commanding officer of 3rd Marine Regiment/ Task Force Taro during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm.

His staff assignments include Marine detachment, Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba; Training Officer for the 1st Marine Division; Marine Corps Legislative Liaison to the United States Congress; Headquarters Marine Corps, Washington, D.C.; Senior White House Military Aide for President Jimmy Carter; branch chief for the Operations Directorate at the United States European Command Headquarters in Germany; and Vice Director for Strategic Plans and Policy Joint Staff at the Pentagon, in Washington, D.C. Upon promotion to major general, Admire served as Commanding General, 1st Marine Division. Admire retired after 33 years of service in 1998. Author: Darker Than Dark, a story of the Vietnam War and four young Marines, 2015.

Awards and decorations U.S. military decorations Defense Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit with Combat Distinguishing Device and gold award star Bronze Star Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device and gold award starPurple HeartDefense Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster Meritorious Service Medal Joint Service Commendation Medal Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device Joint Service Achievement MedalNavy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal Combat Action Ribbon with gold award starU.S. Unit AwardsPresidential Unit CitationNavy Unit Commendation Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation U.S. Service (Campaign) Medals and Service and Training Ribbons National Defense Service Medal with bronze service starArmed Forces Expeditionary Medal Vietnam Service Medal Southwest Asia Service Medal with two bronze campaign stars Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with four bronze service stars Overseas Service Ribbon Recruiting Service Ribbon Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal ribbon - Second Class Vietnam Gallantry Cross Vietnam Civil Actions Medal Inter-American Defense Board Medal Vietnam Campaign Medal Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia) Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)U.S. badges, patches and tabs 100px Scuba Diver Badge 200px Navy and Marine Corps Parachutist Insignia 100px Rifle Expert Badge 100px Pistol Expert Badge