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.

John H. Admire
Allegiance	United States of America
Service / branch	United States Marine Corps
Years of service	1967-1998
Rank	Major General
Commands	1st Marine Division
Battles / wars	Operation Desert Storm Vietnam War
Awards	Legion of Merit Bronze Star Medal

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. He served during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. As a major, Admire joined the 5th Marine Regiment as the executive officer.

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 star Purple Heart Defense 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 Medal Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal Combat Action Ribbon with gold award star U.S. Unit Awards Presidential Unit Citation Navy Unit Commendation Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation U.S. Service (Campaign) Medals and Service and Training Ribbons National Defense Service Medal with bronze service star Armed 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 Scuba Diver Badge Navy and Marine Corps Parachutist Insignia Rifle Expert Badge Pistol Expert Badge