Wallace Gregson

Wallace "Chip" Gregson Jr. (born March 31, 1946) is an American foreign policy writer and retired lieutenant general. He was the assistant defense secretary for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs from 2009 to 2011. His last post before retiring from the military was as commander, United States Marine Corps Forces, Pacific; and commanding general, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific; from 2003 to 2005.

Gregson graduated from the United States Naval Academy and received his commission in the United States Marine Corps in 1968. He also holds master's degrees from the Naval War College and the Salve Regina College. Gregson was deployed during the Vietnam War. His notable commands included the 1st Battalion, 5th Marines; the 7th Marine Regiment; and III Marine Expeditionary Force.

Early life and education Gregson was born on March 31, 1946, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is a 1964 graduate of Valley Forge Military Academy and a 1968 graduate of the United States Naval Academy.

Civilian education includes a bachelor's degree from the U.S. Naval Academy, master's degrees in strategic planning from the Naval War College and international relations from Salve Regina College. Professional military education assignments after the Basic School included the U.S. Army Infantry Officers Advanced Course, Marine Corps Command and Staff College, the Naval War College, and a tour as a Military Fellow with the Council on Foreign Relations. He is a distinguished graduate of the Infantry Officers Advanced Course and the Naval War College.

Later career After retiring from the military in 2005, he worked as an independent consultant and was the chief operating officer of the U.S. Olympic Committee, before entering the government.

Gregson is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, the United States Naval Institute, and the Marine Corps Association.

Awards and decorations His decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, three awards of the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V", and the Purple Heart. Foreign awards include the Japanese Order of the Rising Sun, the South Korean Order of National Security Merit, and the Taiwanese Order of Brilliant Star.