Stephen G. Olmstead

Stephen Goodwin Olmstead (10 November 1929 – 20 July 2022) was a highly decorated officer in the United States Marine Corps with a rank of Lieutenant General. His last assignment was Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Drug Policy and Enforcement and the Director of the Department of Defense Task Force on Drug Enforcement.

Early career

Stephen G. Olmstead was born on 10 November 1929, in Albany, New York, to Leo Henry Olmstead and Charlotte Boody.

He was subsequently sent back to the United States and selected for the Basic School at Quantico, Virginia. Olmstead completed the school in June 1951 and was commissioned second lieutenant. He then remained at Marine Corps Base Quantico and served consecutively as Platoon leader and Company Executive Officer within the School's Demonstration Troops until early 1953.

Olmstead was transferred to the Headquarters Marine Corps at the end of June 1982 and assumed duty as Deputy Chief of Staff for Reserve Affairs. He served in this capacity until July 1984, when he assumed duty as Commanding General, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina. While in this capacity, he held additional duty as Commanding general, Eastern Recruiting Region and served in this assignment until 1 July 1986, when he retired from active duty. Olmstead was decorated with Navy Distinguished Service Medal during his retirement ceremony.

He served in this assignment until June 1989, when he retired from active duty for second time, completing 41 years of service. Olmstead received Defense Distinguished Service Medal for service as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Drug Policy and Enforcement and the Director of the Department of Defense Task Force on Drug Enforcement.

Olmstead died on 20 July 2022, following a brief hospital stay. He was survived by his wife of seventy years, the former Vera L. Mead and their three children: Barbara J., Elizabeth A. and Stephen G., also a Marine officer.