Wayne Rollings

Major General Wayne Evan Rollings (January 11, 1941 - January 3, 2022), USMC, was Commanding General, II Marine Expeditionary Force, III Marine Expeditionary Force and a recipient of the Navy Cross.

Early career Rollings was born on January 11, 1941, in Orangeburg, South Carolina. He began his career in the Marines by enlisting in 1960. After completing recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, he served as an infantryman in the Fleet Marine Force at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and Okinawa, Japan. In 1963, he completed Drill Instructor School, also at Parris Island, and served there as a Drill Instructor until he completed his enlistment in 1965. Following his separation from active duty, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserve and enrolled at the University of Georgia.

In 1968, Rollings graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in history and following attendance at Officer Candidate School was commissioned as a second lieutenant. He attended The Basic School for 6 months at Marine Corps Base Quantico (a school he would later command) where new lieutenants learn the art and science of being a Marine officer. Following graduation, he served as a platoon commander in 1st Force Reconnaissance Company on a deployment to South Vietnam.

Navy Cross In Vietnam, Rollings earned the Navy's second-highest honor for valor and heroism in combat, the Navy Cross (second only to the Medal of Honor). The citation that accompanied the medal:

"The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Wayne E. Rollings (107099), First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism on 18 September 1969 as a patrol leader with the First Force Reconnaissance Company, First Reconnaissance Battalion, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, during operations against enemy forces in the Republic of Vietnam. While First Lieutenant Rollings was leading a long-range reconnaissance patrol deep into enemy-controlled territory in Quang Nam Province, the point man spotted twelve enemy soldiers in almost hidden emplacements and immediately fired at the hostile troops. Observing that the point man's weapon had become inoperable, First Lieutenant Rollings dashed across the fire-swept terrain and positioned himself between the point man and the enemy. Although small-arms fire tore his clothing and ripped his gas mask, and fragments of an enemy grenade struck him in the face and legs, First Lieutenant Rollings continued to deliver suppressive fire, accounting for several enemy casualties and forcing the remainder of the hostile troops to withdraw. Assuming the dangerous point position, and once again faced with intense enemy fire, he charged up an enemy-held knoll in a fiercely determined assault, resulting in the complete routing of the enemy. Despite the pain of his injuries, First Lieutenant Rollings continued to expose himself to fire from the retreating enemy while he skillfully directed air strikes upon all possible routes of egress. Through his courage, dynamic leadership, and unfaltering devotion to duty, he contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his patrol's mission and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service." He later beat his own record with 40,000 consecutive sit-ups over the course of 16 hours when assigned as the Marine Officer Instructor, Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps, University of South Carolina in April 1981. He also participated in one of three combat parachute jumps conducted by Marines during the Vietnam War.

Awards

Note: The gold US Navy Parachute Rigger badge was worn unofficially by USMC personnel in place of the US Army parachutist badge from 1942–1963 before it officially became the Navy and Marine Corps Parachutist insignia on July 12, 1963, per Bureau of Naval Personnel Notice 1020. Members of the Marine Corps who attended jump school before 1963 were issued the silver Army parachutist badge but may be depicted wearing the gold Navy Parachute Rigger badge as it was common practice during this time period.