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Fleet Marine Force, Pacific

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Not to be confused with United States Marine Corps Forces, Pacific.
Main article: Fleet Marine Force

Fleet Marine Force, Pacific
Active17 September 1944 – present
Country United States of America
Typemaritime general and special purpose landing force
RoleAmphibious warfare, expeditionary warfare
Part of United States Marine Corps
 United States Navy
Garrison/HQMCB Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii, U.S.
Commanders
Current
commander		LtGen James F. Glynn

The Fleet Marine Force, Pacific (FMFPAC) is the largest maritime landing force in the world. Its units are spread across the Pacific Ocean and reports to the United States Pacific Command. It is headquartered at MCB Camp H. M. Smith, HI and directs and commands all the subordinate elements of the Navy Expeditionary Strike Force and Marine Air-Ground Task Force components that follow under the 3rd, 5th, and 7th Fleet and the Marine Corps Forces, Pacific (MARFORPAC). The Commanding General of Marine Corps Forces, Pacific is dual-posted as the Commanding General of Fleet Marine Force, Pacific. FMFPAC is under operational control of the Commander, United States Pacific Fleet (COMPACFLT), when deployed.

FMFPAC was established by General 'Howling Mad' Smith in 1944 to assume command of very large Marine forces in the Pacific theatre of World War II, of the order of 500,000. Since then, the forces commanded by FMFPAC have been the largest field command in the Marine Corps, representing two-thirds of its combat strength.

History

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The provisional administrative headquarters of Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, was established on 12 June 1944 as the reformation of the V Amphibious Corps, and it formally was designated as Headquarters Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, on 17 September 1944. On 12 July of the same year, Holland Smith became Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, after being appointed by Admiral Chester Nimitz, the commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet.[1] The force grew to a strength of six divisions and five aircraft wings by the end of the war.[2]

The preceding units of the Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, were mainly from the original Fleet Marine Force, established on 7 December 1933 by the Secretary of the Navy, Claude A. Swanson.[3] It consisted of two brigades, one on the East Coast in Quantico, Virginia, and one on the West Coast in San Diego, California.[4] In 1941 the Fleet Marine Force was reduced to a training command in the continental United States during the war, while two amphibious forces, one in the Atlantic and one in the Pacific, were created as field commands. In 1943 the Amphibious Corps, Pacific Fleet, became V Amphibious Corps. In the spring of 1944, the commander of V Amphibious Corps had his role expanded to cover the III Amphibious Corps as well, and this position developed into the Headquarters, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, in September 1944. FMFPAC was created as a U.S. Navy type command responsible for organizing, training, and supporting Marine forces in the Pacific Fleet, as well as advising the Commander of the Pacific Fleet on all matters related to the Marine Corps.[5] In December 1946, the Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic (FMFLANT) was created as the East Coast counterpart to FMFPAC.[6]

In July 1992, the Marine Corps established two service component commands to geographic unified combatant commands, including the U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific (MARFORPAC). Since then, the Commander, MARFORPAC, has been dual-hatted as the Commanding General, FMFPAC.[1]

Marine units from FMFPAC were deployed to China during the Chinese Civil War, and participated in the Korean War and the Vietnam War. It also sent units to fight in Iraq and Afghanistan,[1] because before 2005 the area covered by the U.S. Central Command was in the jurisdiction of FMFPAC. The head of MARFORPAC and FMFPAC was also nominally the Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Central Command (MARCENT), from 1992 until 2005, when that role was given to the commanding general, II Marine Expeditionary Force.[7]

Organization

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Reporting directly to the Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific (CG FMFPAC) are the Commanding Generals of two Marine Expeditionary Forces (I MEF and III MEF), the Commanding Generals of two Marine Expeditionary Brigades (1st MEB and 3rd MEB), and the Commanding Officers of four Marine Expeditionary Units (11th, 13th, 15th, and 31st MEUs).

The Commanding General, I MEF, exercises operational control over the 1st Marine Division, the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, and the 1st Marine Logistics Group, while the Commanding General, III MEF, exercises operational control over the 3d Marine Division, the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, and the 3rd Marine Logistics Group.

Hierarchy of Fleet Marine Force units

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Commander, United States Pacific Fleet (COMPACFLT)

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Camp H. M. Smith
Aiea, Hawaii

Marine Forces, Pacific (MARFORPAC)

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Landing Force, Third Fleet (LF3F)
Task Force 36 Naval Base Point Loma
San Diego, CA
Task Force 39
I Marine Expeditionary Force MCB Camp Pendleton
California, United States
III Marine Expeditionary Force Camp Courtney
Okinawa, Japan

Marine Forces, Central (MARCENT)

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Landing Force, Fifth Fleet (LF5F)
Task Force 56 Naval Support Activity Bahrain
Kingdom of Bahrain
Task Force 59
I Marine Expeditionary Force MCB Camp Pendleton
California, United States

Marine Forces, Korea (MARFORK)

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Landing Force, Seventh Fleet (LF7F)
Task Force 76
U.S. Fleet Activities Yokosuka
Yokosuka, Japan
Task Force 79
III Marine Expeditionary Force Camp Courtney
Okinawa, Japan

List of commanders

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No. Commander Term Ref
Portrait Name Took office Left office Term length
Commanding General FMFPAC
1
Holland Smith
Smith, HollandLieutenant General
Holland Smith
(1882–1967)		17 September 19443 July 1945289 days[1][5]: 31 
2
Roy Geiger
Geiger, RoyLieutenant General
Roy Geiger
(1885–1947)		3 July 194515 November 19461 year, 135 days[8]
3
Allen Turnage
Turnage, AllenLieutenant General
Allen Turnage
(1891–1971)		15 November 19461 January 19481 year, 47 days[9]
4
Thomas E. Watson
Watson, Thomas E.Lieutenant General
Thomas E. Watson
(1892–1966)		1 January 19481 July 19502 years, 181 days[10]
5
Lemuel C. Shepherd Jr.
Shepherd, Lemuel C.Lieutenant General
Lemuel C. Shepherd Jr.
(1896–1990)		1 July 1950January 19521 year, 184 days[11]
6
Franklin A. Hart
Hart, Franklin A.Lieutenant General
Franklin A. Hart
(1894–1967)		January 19521 August 19542 years, 212 days[12]
7
Robert H. Pepper
Pepper, Robert H.Lieutenant General
Robert H. Pepper
(1895–1968)		1 August 19549 September 19551 year, 39 days[13]
8
William O. Brice
Brice, William O.Lieutenant General
William O. Brice
(1898–1972)		9 September 19551 September 1956358 days[14]
9
Edwin A. Pollock
Pollock, Edwin A.Lieutenant General
Edwin A. Pollock
(1899–1982)		1 September 195610 December 19571 year, 100 days[15]
10
Vernon E. Megee
Megee, Vernon E.Lieutenant General
Vernon E. Megee
(1900–1992)		10 December 195730 October 19591 year, 324 days[16]
11
Thomas Wornham
Wornham, Thomas A.Lieutenant General
Thomas Wornham
(1903–1984)		30 October 19591 April 19611 year, 153 days[17]
12
Alan Shapley
Lieutenant General
Alan Shapley
(1903–1973)		1 April 19611 June 19621 year, 61 days[18]
13
Carson A. Roberts
Roberts, Carson A.Lieutenant General
Carson A. Roberts
(1905–1983)		1 June 19621 March 19641 year, 274 days[19][20]
14
Victor Krulak
Krulak, Victor H.Lieutenant General
Victor Krulak
(1913–2008)		1 March 196431 May 19684 years, 91 days[21]
15
Henry W. Buse Jr.
Buse, Henry W.Lieutenant General
Henry W. Buse Jr.
(1912–1988)		31 May 19681 July 19702 years, 31 days[22]
16
William K. Jones
Jones, William K.Lieutenant General
William K. Jones
(1916–1998)		1 July 19701 September 19722 years, 62 days[23]
17
Louis H. Wilson Jr.
Wilson, Louis H.Lieutenant General
Louis H. Wilson Jr.
(1920–2005)		1 September 1972May 19752 years, 212 days[24]
-
Thomas H. Miller
Miller, Thomas H.Major General
Thomas H. Miller
(1923–2007)
Acting		May 1975August 197592 days[25]
18
John N. McLaughlin
McLaughlin, John N.Lieutenant General
John N. McLaughlin
(1918–2002)		August 19751 July 19771 year, 334 days[26]
19
Leslie E. Brown
Brown, Leslie E.Lieutenant General
Leslie E. Brown
(1920–1997)		1 July 19771 October 19781 year, 92 days[27]
20
Andrew W. O'Donnell Sr.
O'Donnel, Andrew W.Lieutenant General
Andrew W. O'Donnell Sr.
(1924–1997)		October 197830 June 19812 years, 272 days[28]
21
John K. Davis
Davis, John K.Lieutenant General
John K. Davis
(1927–2019)		30 June 19811 July 19832 years, 1 day[28]
22
Charles G. Cooper
Cooper, Charles G.Lieutenant General
Charles G. Cooper
(1927–2009)		1 July 198331 July 19852 years, 30 days[29]
23
D'Wayne Gray
Gray, D'wayneLieutenant General
D'Wayne Gray
(1932–2014)		31 July 198516 September 19872 years, 47 days[30][31]
-
Richard M. Cooke
Cooke, Richard M.Major General
Richard M. Cooke
(1930–2019)
Acting		16 September 19872 October 198716 days[30]
24
Edwin J. Godfrey
Milligan, Robert F.Lieutenant General
Edwin J. Godfrey
(1932–2002)		2 October 198728 September 19891 year, 361 days[30]
25
Robert F. Milligan
Milligan, Robert F.Lieutenant General
Robert F. Milligan
(born 1932)		28 September 198922 August 19911 year, 328 days[32]
26
Royal N. Moore Jr.
Moore, Royal N.Lieutenant General
Royal N. Moore Jr.
(born 1935)		22 August 19919 July 1992322 days[33][34]
Commanding General FMFPAC / Commander MARFORPAC / Commander MARCENT
27
Hank Stackpole
Stackpole, Hank C.Lieutenant General
Hank Stackpole
(1935–2020)		9 July 199222 July 19941 year, 356 days[35][36]
28
Charles Krulak
Krulak, Charles C.Lieutenant General
Charles Krulak
(born 1942)		22 July 199415 June 1995342 days[37]
29
Jefferson D. Howell
Howell, Jefferson D.Lieutenant General
Jefferson D. Howell		29 September 1995
Acting: 15 June 1995		7 May 19982 years, 220 days[38][39]
30
Carlton W. Fulford Jr.
Fulford, Carlton W.Lieutenant General
Carlton W. Fulford Jr.
(born 1944)		7 May 199822 June 19991 year, 46 days[40]
31
Frank Libutti
Libutti, FrankLieutenant General
Frank Libutti
(born 1945)		22 June 199916 August 20012 years, 55 days[41]
32
Earl B. Hailston
Hailston, Earl B.Lieutenant General
Earl B. Hailston
(born 1947)		16 August 20011 August 20031 year, 350 days[42]
33
Wallace C. Gregson
Gregson, Wallace C.Lieutenant General
Wallace C. Gregson
(born 1946)		1 August 20035 August 20052 years, 4 days[43][44]
Commanding General FMFPAC / Commander MARFORPAC
34
John F. Goodman
Goodman, John F.Lieutenant General
John F. Goodman
(born 1945)		5 August 200522 August 20083 years, 17 days[45]
35
Keith J. Stalder
Stalder, Keith J.Lieutenant General
Keith J. Stalder		23 August 20082 September 20102 years, 10 days
36
Duane D. Thiessen
Thiessen, Duane D.Lieutenant General
Duane D. Thiessen
(born 1951)		2 September 20102 August 2012~1 year, 335 days[46]
37
Terry G. Robling
Robling, Terry G.Lieutenant General
Terry G. Robling		2 August 201215 August 20142 years, 13 days[46][47]
38
John A. Toolan
Toolan, John A.Lieutenant General
John A. Toolan
(born 1954)		15 August 201426 August 20162 years, 11 days[48][49]
39
David H. Berger
Berger, David H.Lieutenant General
David H. Berger
(born 1959)		26 August 20168 August 20181 year, 347 days[50]
40
Lewis A. Craparotta
Craparotta, Lewis A.Lieutenant General
Lewis A. Craparotta
(born 1960)		8 August 201816 July 20201 year, 343 days
41
Steven R. Rudder
Rudder, Steven R.Lieutenant General
Steven R. Rudder
(born c. 1962)		16 July 20207 September 20222 years, 53 days
42
William M. Jurney
Jurney, WilliamLieutenant General
William M. Jurney		7 September 202212 September 20242 years, 5 days[51]
43
James F. Glynn
Glynn, JamesLieutenant General
James F. Glynn		12 September 2024Incumbent56 days[52]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d MARINE CORPS FORCES PACIFIC. Marine Corps University. Published 15 September 2006. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
  2. ^ FMFPac celebrates 40th anniversary. Hawaii Marine, Vol. 13, No. 37. Published 13 September 1984. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  3. ^ Swanson, Claude A. (7 December 1933). The Fleet Marine Force. Marine Corps University. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  4. ^ Heinl, R.D., Jr. (November 1947). The U. S. Marine Corps: Author of Modern Amphibious War. Proceedings of the United States Naval Institute, Vol. 73/11/537.
  5. ^ a b Garand, George W.; Strobridge, Truman R. (1971). Western Pacific Operations: History of U.S. Marine Corps Operations in World War II (Volume IV). Marine Corps History Division. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  6. ^ MARINE CORPS FORCES COMMAND. Marine Corps University. Published 6 June 2016. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  7. ^ Dawson, David A. (12 May 2010). The Evolution of U.S. Central Command from Operational to Strategic Headquarters. U.S. Army War College – p. 28. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  8. ^ General Roy Stanley Geiger (archived). Marine Corps History Division. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  9. ^ Wellons, James B. (June 2007). GENERAL ROY S. GEIGER, USMC: MARINE AVIATOR, JOINT FORCE COMMANDER. Air Command and Staff College. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  10. ^ Lieutenant General Thomas Eugene Watson (archived). Marine Corps History Division. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  11. ^ General Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr. Marine Corps University. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  12. ^ General Franklin A. Hart (archived). Marine Corps History Division. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  13. ^ Gen. Harte's Finale. Hawaii Marine. Published 6 August 1954. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  14. ^ Parade and Review to Honor Gen. Brice. Hawaii Marine. Published 31 August 1956. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  15. ^ Lt. Gen. Megee Arrives in HawaiiTues.; Assumes Duty as CG, FMFPac. Hawaii Marine. Published 6 December 1957. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  16. ^ Retirement Parade Honors Lt. Gen. Megee Tomorrow. Hawaii Marine. Published 30 October 1959. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  17. ^ Lt. Gen. Shapley Assigned As FMFPac Commander. Hawaii Marine. Published 31 March 1961. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  18. ^ Lieutenant General Alan Shapley. Marine Corps University. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  19. ^ Lieutenant General Carson Abel Roberts. Marine Corps University. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  20. ^ New FMFPac CG Takes Helm Tomorrow. Hawaii Marine. Published 28 February 1964. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  21. ^ Lieutenant General Victor H. Krulak. Marine Corps University. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  22. ^ Change of Command Ceremony Tomorrow. Hawaii Marine. Published 30 May 1968. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  23. ^ LtGen Wilson takes reins of FMFPac. Published 1 September 1972. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  24. ^ LtGen. Wilson selected as new Commandant. Hawaii Marine. Published 2 May 1975. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  25. ^ "Official Biography: Lieutenant General Thomas H. Miller". Archived from the original on March 18, 2012. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
  26. ^ Gen McLaughlin to retire soon. Hawaii Marine. Published 10 June 1977. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  27. ^ New CG slated for FMFPac post. Hawaii Marine. Published 8 September 1978. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  28. ^ a b Command changes hands. Hawaii Marine, Vol. 10, No. 25. Published 24 June 1981. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  29. ^ Cooper takes helm of FMFPac. Hawaii Marine, Vol. 12. No. 22. Published 1 June 1983. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  30. ^ a b c LtGen Godfrey takes command. Hawaii Marine, Vol. 16, No. 41. Published 8 October 1987. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  31. ^ Lieutenant General D'Wayne Gray. Marine Corps University. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  32. ^ Command of Pacific Marines set to change hands Monday. Hawaii Marine, Vol. 18, No. 38. Published 28 September 1989. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  33. ^ FMFPac colors to change hands. Hawaii Marine, Vol. 20, No. 33. Published 22 August 1991. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  34. ^ Marine Corps Says a General Cheated on His Flight Test. New York Times. Published 5 April 1992. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  35. ^ Stackpole assumes command. Hawaii Marine, Vol. 21, No. 26. Published 9 July 1992.
  36. ^ Lieutenant General H.C. Stackpole III. Marine Corps University. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  37. ^ LtGen. Krulak assumes command of MarForPac. Hawaii Marine, Vol. 22, No. 30. Published 28 July 1994.
  38. ^ Okinawa receives LtGen. Howell, Jr. Hawaii Marine, Vol 23. No. 44. Published 16 November 1995.
  39. ^ Evening parade Honors Assistant Commandant bids Aloha to Commander Marine Forces Pacific. Hawaii Marine, Vol. 23, No. 21. Published 15 June 1995
  40. ^ Change of command. Hawaii Marine, Vol. 27, No. 17. Published 7 May 1998.
  41. ^ Lt. General Frank Libutti, USMC (Ret.). Flagofficers.us. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  42. ^ MarForPac changes command. Hawaii Marine, Vo. 30, No. 32. Published 16 August 2001.
  43. ^ Force leadership change. Hawaii Marine, Vol. 32. No. 30. Published 1 August 2003.
  44. ^ Allen, David (16 May 2003). Bush taps Gregson for top Pacific Marine slot. Stars and Stripes. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
  45. ^ Marion, Brian A. (22 August 2008). Goodman relinquishes command of MARFORPAC. U.S. Marines. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
  46. ^ a b Robling tapped to lead Marine forces in Pacific. Stars and Stripes. Published 18 April 2012. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  47. ^ Karstan, Kristian (7 August 2012). USMC Lt. Gen. Thiessen Retirement/MARFORPAC COC. Defense Visual Information Distribution Service. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  48. ^ Anderson, Sarah (August 15, 2014). "MARFORPAC bids farewell to Robling, welcomes Toolan". DVIDS. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  49. ^ "MARINE CORPS BASE KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii - Sgt. Maj. Paul G. McKenna, the sergeant major of U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, marches with the colors during a change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Aug. 26, 2016. During the ceremony, Lt. Gen. John A. Toolan relinquished command of MARFORPAC to Lt. Gen. David H. Berger". U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. August 26, 2016.
  50. ^ Werner, Ben (August 10, 2018). "Lt. Gen. Lewis Craparotta Relieves Lt. Gen. David Berger As MARFORPAC Commander". USNI News. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  51. ^ Little, Chuck (September 7, 2022). "U.S Marine Corps Forces, Pacific Change of Command". DVIDS. U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific. Retrieved September 8, 2022.
  52. ^ "Webcast: MARFORPAC Change of Command Ceremony". DVIDS. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
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