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{{short description|United States Marine Corps general}}

{{Other people|James Conway}}
{{Other people|James Conway}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2011}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2011}}
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|rank= [[General (United States)|General]]
|rank= [[General (United States)|General]]
|unit=
|unit=
|commands= [[Commandant of the Marine Corps]]<br/>[[I Marine Expeditionary Force]]<br/>[[1st Marine Division (United States)|1st Marine Division]]<br/>[[The Basic School]]<br/>[[3rd Battalion 2nd Marines]]
|commands= [[Commandant of the United States Marine Corps|Commandant of the Marine Corps]]<br/>[[I Marine Expeditionary Force]]<br/>[[1st Marine Division (United States)|1st Marine Division]]<br/>[[The Basic School]]<br/>[[3rd Battalion 2nd Marines]]
|battles= [[Gulf War]]<br/>[[Iraq War]]
|battles= [[Gulf War]]<br/>[[Iraq War]]
* [[First Battle of Fallujah]]
* [[First Battle of Fallujah]]
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|laterwork=
|laterwork=
}}
}}
'''James Terry Conway''' (born December 26, 1947) is a retired [[United States Marine Corps]] [[General (United States)|general]] who served as the 34th [[Commandant of the Marine Corps]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://slsp.manpower.usmc.mil/gosa/biographies/rptBiography.asp?PERSON_ID=117&PERSON_TYPE=General |title=Official Biography:General James T. Conway |work=Biographies: General Officers & Senior Executives |publisher=United States Marine Corps |accessdate=August 20, 2007 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722224611/https://slsp.manpower.usmc.mil/gosa/biographies/rptBiography.asp?PERSON_ID=117&PERSON_TYPE=General |archivedate=July 22, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,118890,00.html|title=New Marine Corps Commandant Welcomed|date=November 14, 2006|agency=[[Military.com]]|accessdate=November 14, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=41483|title=Conway becomes Marine Corps Commandant|first=Jeff|last=Schogol|date=November 14, 2006|newspaper=[[Stars and Stripes (newspaper)|Stars and Stripes]]|accessdate=November 14, 2006|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927024749/http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=41483|archivedate=September 27, 2011|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Among his previous postings were Director of [[Operations (military staff)|Operations (J-3)]] on the [[Joint Chiefs of Staff]], Commanding General of [[1st Marine Division (United States)|1st Marine Division]] and [[I Marine Expeditionary Force]], taking part in the [[2003 invasion of Iraq]] and the [[First Battle of Fallujah]].
'''James Terry Conway''' (born December 26, 1947) is a retired [[United States Marine Corps]] [[General (United States)|four-star general]] who served as the 34th [[Commandant of the United States Marine Corps|Commandant of the Marine Corps]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://slsp.manpower.usmc.mil/gosa/biographies/rptBiography.asp?PERSON_ID=117&PERSON_TYPE=General |title=Official Biography:General James T. Conway |work=Biographies: General Officers & Senior Executives |publisher=United States Marine Corps |access-date=August 20, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722224611/https://slsp.manpower.usmc.mil/gosa/biographies/rptBiography.asp?PERSON_ID=117&PERSON_TYPE=General |archive-date=July 22, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,118890,00.html|title=New Marine Corps Commandant Welcomed|date=November 14, 2006|agency=[[Military.com]]|access-date=November 14, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=41483|title=Conway becomes Marine Corps Commandant|first=Jeff|last=Schogol|date=November 14, 2006|newspaper=[[Stars and Stripes (newspaper)|Stars and Stripes]]|access-date=November 14, 2006|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927024749/http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=41483|archive-date=September 27, 2011|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Among his previous postings were Director of [[Operations (military staff)|Operations (J-3)]] on the [[Joint Chiefs of Staff]], Commanding General of [[1st Marine Division (United States)|1st Marine Division]] and [[I Marine Expeditionary Force]], taking part in the [[2003 invasion of Iraq]] and the [[First Battle of Fallujah]].


==Early life==
==Early life and education==
Conway was born in [[Walnut Ridge, Arkansas]]. He graduated from Roosevelt High School in [[St. Louis, Missouri]] and then attended [[Southeast Missouri State University]], where he was a member of the [[Sigma Phi Epsilon]] fraternity, graduating in 1969 with a [[Bachelor of Science]] degree in [[psychology]]. He was commissioned as an [[infantry]] officer in 1970.
Conway was born in [[Walnut Ridge, Arkansas]]. He graduated from [[Roosevelt High School (Missouri)|Roosevelt High School]] in [[St. Louis, Missouri]],<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Encyclopedia of Arkansas |url=https://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/james-t-conway-15713/ |access-date=2023-12-07 |website=Encyclopedia of Arkansas |language=en-US}}</ref> and then attended [[Southeast Missouri State University]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Marine Corps University > Research > Marine Corps History Division > People > Who's Who in Marine Corps History > Abrell - Cushman > General James T. Conway |url=https://www.usmcu.edu/Research/Marine-Corps-History-Division/People/Whos-Who-in-Marine-Corps-History/Abrell-Cushman/General-James-T-Conway/ |access-date=2023-12-07 |website=www.usmcu.edu}}</ref> where he was a member of the [[Sigma Phi Epsilon]] fraternity, graduating in 1969 with a [[Bachelor of Science]] degree in [[psychology]]. Conway is a graduate of the Infantry Officers Advanced Course, the [[Marine Corps Command and Staff College]], and the [[Air War College]]. He was commissioned as an [[infantry]] officer in 1970.


==Marine career==
==Marine career==
Conway's first assignment was command of a rifle [[platoon]] with [[3rd Battalion 1st Marines|3rd Battalion]] [[1st Marine Regiment (United States)|1st Marines]], based at [[Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton|Camp Pendleton]]. He also served as the [[battalion]]'s [[M40 recoilless rifle|106mm recoilless rifle]] platoon commander. Later, he served as Marine detachment [[executive officer]] aboard the aircraft carrier {{USS|Kitty Hawk|CV-63}} and as commanding officer of the Sea School at [[Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego]].
Conway's first assignment was command of a rifle [[platoon]] with [[3rd Battalion 1st Marines]], based at [[Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton|Camp Pendleton]]. He also served as the [[battalion]]'s [[M40 recoilless rifle|106mm recoilless rifle]] platoon commander. Later, he served as Marine detachment [[executive officer]] aboard the aircraft carrier {{USS|Kitty Hawk|CV-63}} and as commanding officer of the Sea School at [[Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego]].<ref name=":0" />


After graduating with honors from the [[United States Army|Army's]] Infantry Officers Advanced Course, Conway commanded two [[Company (military unit)|companies]] in the [[2nd Marine Regiment (United States)|2nd Marine Regiment's]] Operations and Security section. As a [[field officer|field grade officer]], he commanded two companies of students and taught tactics at [[The Basic School]]. He then went on to serve as operations officer for the [[31st Marine Expeditionary Unit|31st Marine Amphibious Unit]], with sea duty in the western Pacific and in [[Multinational Force in Lebanon|contingency operations]] off [[Beirut]], Lebanon.
After graduating with honors from the [[United States Army|Army's]] Infantry Officers Advanced Course, Conway commanded two [[Company (military unit)|companies]] in the [[2nd Marine Regiment (United States)|2nd Marine Regiment's]] Operations and Security section. As a [[field officer|field grade officer]], he commanded two companies of students and taught tactics at [[The Basic School]]. He then went on to serve as operations officer for the [[31st Marine Expeditionary Unit|31st Marine Amphibious Unit]], with sea duty in the western Pacific and in [[Multinational Force in Lebanon|contingency operations]] off [[Beirut]], Lebanon.
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Returning to the United States, Conway was assigned as [[Aide-de-camp|Senior Aide]] to the [[Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff]] for two years. After graduating from Marine Corps Command and Staff College with honors, he took command of [[3rd Battalion 2nd Marines]] through its eight-month deployment to [[Western Asia|Southwest Asia]] during the [[Gulf War]].
Returning to the United States, Conway was assigned as [[Aide-de-camp|Senior Aide]] to the [[Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff]] for two years. After graduating from Marine Corps Command and Staff College with honors, he took command of [[3rd Battalion 2nd Marines]] through its eight-month deployment to [[Western Asia|Southwest Asia]] during the [[Gulf War]].


After the war, he was promoted to [[Colonel (United States)|colonel]] and assigned command of The Basic School. Promoted to [[Brigadier general (United States)|brigadier general]] in December 1995, he again was assigned to the Joint Chiefs and later served as President of the [[Marine Corps University]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Biography of General James T. Conway, USMC (Retired)|url=https://www.mcu.usmc.mil/historydivision/Pages/Who%27s%20Who/A-C/Conway_JT.aspx|publisher=[[United States Marine Corps History Division]]|accessdate=9 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923043007/https://www.mcu.usmc.mil/historydivision/Pages/Who%27s%20Who/A-C/Conway_JT.aspx|archive-date=September 23, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> After being promoted to [[Major general (United States)|major general]], he served as commander of the [[1st Marine Division (United States)|1st Marine Division]] and as Deputy Commanding General of [[United States Marine Forces Central Command|Marine Forces Central]]. He was promoted to [[Lieutenant general (United States)|lieutenant general]] and assumed command of [[I Marine Expeditionary Force]] (I MEF) on November 16, 2002. He commanded I MEF during two combat tours in Iraq, with 60,000 troops under his command, including Marines, [[United States Army|soldiers]], [[United States Navy|sailors]], and [[British Army|British forces]]. In the book ''The Iraq War'', Conway was described as, "big, buff, well read and well educated ... he represented all that was best about the new United States Marine Corps, which General [[Alfred M. Gray, Jr.|Al Gray]] as the commandant had set up."<ref name=Murray2003>{{cite book|last=Murray|first=Williamson|author2=Scales, Robert H.|title=The Iraq War: A Military History|publisher=[[Harvard University Press]]|year=2003|page=[https://archive.org/details/iraqwarmilitary00murr/page/65 65]|isbn=0-674-01280-1|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/iraqwarmilitary00murr/page/65}}</ref>
After the war, he was promoted to [[Colonel (United States)|colonel]] and assigned command of The Basic School. In 1992–1993, he attended [[MIT Seminar XXI]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://semxxi.mit.edu/about/messages/from-the-director |title=From the Director: September, 2015 |last=Art |first=Robert |date=September 1, 2015 |website=MIT Seminar XXI |publisher=[[Massachusetts Institute of Technology]]}}; {{cite web |author=Massachusetts Institute of Technology|url=https://semxxi.mit.edu/alumni |title=Find Alumni |website=MIT Seminar XXI |publisher=[[Massachusetts Institute of Technology]]}}</ref> Promoted to [[Brigadier general (United States)|brigadier general]] in December 1995, he again was assigned to the Joint Chiefs and later served as president of the [[Marine Corps University]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Biography of General James T. Conway, USMC (Retired)|url=https://www.mcu.usmc.mil/historydivision/Pages/Who%27s%20Who/A-C/Conway_JT.aspx|publisher=[[United States Marine Corps History Division]]|access-date=9 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923043007/https://www.mcu.usmc.mil/historydivision/Pages/Who%27s%20Who/A-C/Conway_JT.aspx|archive-date=September 23, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> After being promoted to [[Major general (United States)|major general]], he served as commander of the [[1st Marine Division (United States)|1st Marine Division]] and as Deputy Commanding General of [[United States Marine Forces Central Command|Marine Forces Central]]. He was promoted to [[Lieutenant general (United States)|lieutenant general]] and assumed command of [[I Marine Expeditionary Force]] (I MEF) on November 16, 2002. He commanded I MEF during two combat tours in Iraq, with 60,000 troops under his command, including Marines, [[United States Army|soldiers]], [[United States Navy|sailors]], and [[British Army|British forces]]. In the book ''The Iraq War'', Conway was described as, "big, buff, well read and well educated ... he represented all that was best about the new United States Marine Corps, which General [[Alfred M. Gray, Jr.|Al Gray]] as the commandant had set up."<ref name=Murray2003>{{cite book|last=Murray|first=Williamson|author2=Scales, Robert H.|title=The Iraq War: A Military History|publisher=[[Harvard University Press]]|year=2003|page=[https://archive.org/details/iraqwarmilitary00murr/page/65 65]|isbn=0-674-01280-1|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/iraqwarmilitary00murr/page/65}}</ref>


[[File:Gen James Terry Conway June 2005.jpg|left|thumb|upright|Conway responding to questions at a Pentagon briefing, June 2005]]
[[File:Gen James Terry Conway June 2005.jpg|left|thumb|upright|Conway responding to questions at a Pentagon briefing, June 2005]]

In a press interview on May 30, 2003, Conway was questioned about the failure at that point to locate [[Iraq and weapons of mass destruction|weapons of mass destruction in Iraq]]. He replied, in part:
{{quote|It was a surprise to me then, it remains a surprise to me now, that we have not uncovered weapons ... It's not for lack of trying. We've been to virtually every ammunition supply point between the Kuwaiti border and Baghdad, but they're simply not there ... What the regime was intending to do in terms of its use of the weapons, we thought we understood—or we certainly had our best guess, our most dangerous, our most likely courses of action that the intelligence folks were giving us. We were simply wrong. But whether or not we're wrong at the national level, I think, still very much remains to be seen.{{citation needed|date=February 2012}}|sign=|source=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-may-31-fg-wmd31-story.html}}


[[File:Conway takes oath, November 13, 2006.jpg|thumb|Conway is sworn in by General [[Peter Pace]], Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, on November 13, 2006]]
[[File:Conway takes oath, November 13, 2006.jpg|thumb|Conway is sworn in by General [[Peter Pace]], Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, on November 13, 2006]]


US Marines of the [[1st Marine Expeditionary Force]] under Conway's command constructed the military base "Camp Alpha" on top of ancient Babylonian ruins following the invasion. Though a US Military spokesman claimed that the project was discussed with the "head of the Babylon museum",<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.boston.com/news/world/middleeast/articles/2005/01/16/damage_seen_to_ancient_babylon/ |title=Damage seen to ancient Babylon |newspaper=The Boston Globe |date=January 16, 2005 | first1=Sue | last1=Leeman}}</ref> the construction of the base drew intense criticism from archaeologists, who contend that it caused irreparable damage to one of the most important sites in the world. Dr. John Curtis of the [[British Museum]]'s Near East department described how parts of the archaeological site were levelled and paved over to create a [[helipad]] as well as parking lots for heavy vehicles.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4461755.stm | title=History lost in dust of war-torn Iraq | work=BBC News | date=2005-04-25 | accessdate=2013-06-07 | author=Bajjaly, Joanne Farchakh}}</ref> Donny George, head of the Iraqi State Board for Heritage and Antiquities, stated that the "mess will take decades to sort out".<ref>[http://www.worldheritagealert.org/Pages/news.htm Heritage News from around the world] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202162256/http://www.worldheritagealert.org/Pages/news.htm |date=February 2, 2016 }}, ''World Heritage Alert!''. Retrieved April 19, 2008.</ref>
US Marines of the [[1st Marine Expeditionary Force]] under Conway's command constructed the military base "Camp Alpha" on top of ancient Babylonian ruins following the invasion. Though a US Military spokesman claimed that the project was discussed with the "head of the Babylon museum",<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.boston.com/news/world/middleeast/articles/2005/01/16/damage_seen_to_ancient_babylon/ |title=Damage seen to ancient Babylon |newspaper=The Boston Globe |date=January 16, 2005 | first1=Sue | last1=Leeman}}</ref> the construction of the base drew intense criticism from archaeologists, who contend that it caused irreparable damage to one of the most important sites in the world.


On June 13, 2006, Conway was nominated by President [[George W. Bush]] to become the 34th [[Commandant of the Marine Corps]];<ref>{{cite news|url=http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=politicsNews&storyID=2006-06-13T213646Z_01_N13455615_RTRUKOC_0_US-ARMS-USA-MARINES.xml&archived=False |first=Will |last=Dunham |title=Marine Corps to get a new top general |agency=[[Reuters]] |date=June 13, 2006 |accessdate=June 13, 2006 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060601030620/http://today.reuters.com/News/newsArticle.aspx?type=politicsNews |archivedate=June 1, 2006 }}</ref> the nomination was confirmed by the [[United States Senate|Senate]] on August 2, 2006.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/story.php?f=1-292925-1998645.php|title=Conway confirmed as new commandant|date=August 3, 2006|work=[[Marine Corps Times]]|accessdate=August 3, 2006|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060808201438/http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/story.php?f=1-292925-1998645.php|archivedate=August 8, 2006|df=mdy-all}}</ref> On November 13, Conway was promoted to the rank of [[General (United States)|general]] at [[Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C.]] and became the 34th Commandant of the Marine Corps. He was the first Commandant in nearly 40 years to have not served in the [[Vietnam War]].
On June 13, 2006, Conway was nominated by President [[George W. Bush]] to become the 34th [[Commandant of the United States Marine Corps|Commandant of the Marine Corps]];<ref>{{cite news|url=http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=politicsNews&storyID=2006-06-13T213646Z_01_N13455615_RTRUKOC_0_US-ARMS-USA-MARINES.xml&archived=False |first=Will |last=Dunham |title=Marine Corps to get a new top general |work=[[Reuters]] |date=June 13, 2006 |access-date=June 13, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060601030620/http://today.reuters.com/News/newsArticle.aspx?type=politicsNews |archive-date=June 1, 2006 }}</ref> the nomination was confirmed by the [[United States Senate|Senate]] on August 2, 2006.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/story.php?f=1-292925-1998645.php|title=Conway confirmed as new commandant|date=August 3, 2006|work=[[Marine Corps Times]]|access-date=August 3, 2006|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060808201438/http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/story.php?f=1-292925-1998645.php|archive-date=August 8, 2006|df=mdy-all}}</ref> On November 13, Conway was promoted to the rank of [[General (United States)|general]] at [[Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C.]], and became the 34th Commandant of the Marine Corps. He was the first Commandant in nearly 40 years to have not served in the [[Vietnam War]].


On June 11, 2009, Conway spoke at the [[National Press Club (United States)|National Press Club]] about the importance of maintaining the [[Amphibious assault ship]]s to lift two [[Marine Expeditionary Brigade]]s and the time "at home" away from the current wars to train for amphibious assault.<ref>[http://press.org/wire/article.cfm?id=1070 Marine Commandant Says Corps Fulfilled its Mission in Iraq] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100613141241/http://press.org/wire/article.cfm?id=1070 |date=June 13, 2010 }}</ref>
On June 11, 2009, Conway spoke at the [[National Press Club (United States)|National Press Club]] about the importance of maintaining the [[Amphibious assault ship]]s to lift two [[Marine Expeditionary Brigade]]s and the time "at home" away from the current wars to train for amphibious assault.<ref>[http://press.org/wire/article.cfm?id=1070 Marine Commandant Says Corps Fulfilled its Mission in Iraq] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100613141241/http://press.org/wire/article.cfm?id=1070 |date=June 13, 2010 }}</ref>


[[File:USMC-091126-M-3612M-001.jpg|thumb|Conway talks to his Marines, September 2005]]
[[File:USMC-091126-M-3612M-001.jpg|thumb|Conway talks to his Marines, September 2005]]
Conway was reported to have had "major reservations" about the repeal of "[[don't ask, don't tell]]", in contrast to the Pentagon opinion that the younger rank and file of the military did not have such reservations about serving with openly gay servicemembers.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/01/us/politics/01military.html|title=Forces Pushing Obama on 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'|first=Elisabeth|last=Bumiller|date=January 31, 2010|work=the New York Times|accessdate=February 5, 2010}}</ref> Conway, along with [[Chief of Naval Operations]], Admiral [[Gary Roughead]], and [[Chief of Staff of the United States Army]], General [[George W. Casey, Jr.|George Casey]], supported running a one-year study on the effects of a possible repeal.<ref name="MCT DADT">{{cite news|url=http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2010/02/marine_dontask_022409w/|title=Conway: Study needed before DADT repeal|last=Lamothe|first=Dan|date=February 24, 2010|newspaper=[[Marine Corps Times]]|accessdate=February 25, 2010|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308060349/http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2010/02/marine_dontask_022409w/|archivedate=March 8, 2012|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Conway said that if gay Marines are allowed to serve openly, he might need to change the policy that requires unmarried Marines to share rooms.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/26/AR2010032604415.html|title=Gay, straight Marines wouldn't share rooms with don't ask' repeal, general says|last=Whitlock|first=Craig|date=March 27, 2010|work=The Washington Post|accessdate=January 7, 2011}}</ref> The [[Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010|policy was repealed]] on December 22, 2010, after his tenure as Commandant had ended.
Conway was reported to have had "major reservations" about the repeal of "[[don't ask, don't tell]]", in contrast to the Pentagon opinion that the younger rank and file of the military did not have such reservations about serving with openly gay service members.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/01/us/politics/01military.html|title=Forces Pushing Obama on 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'|first=Elisabeth|last=Bumiller|date=January 31, 2010|work=the New York Times|access-date=February 5, 2010}}</ref> Conway, along with [[Chief of Naval Operations]], Admiral [[Gary Roughead]], and [[Chief of Staff of the United States Army]], General [[George W. Casey, Jr.|George Casey]], supported running a one-year study on the effects of a possible repeal.<ref name="MCT DADT">{{cite news|url=http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2010/02/marine_dontask_022409w/|title=Conway: Study needed before DADT repeal|last=Lamothe|first=Dan|date=February 24, 2010|newspaper=[[Marine Corps Times]]|access-date=February 25, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308060349/http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2010/02/marine_dontask_022409w/|archive-date=March 8, 2012|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Conway said that if gay Marines are allowed to serve openly, he might need to change the policy that requires unmarried Marines to share rooms.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/26/AR2010032604415.html|title=Gay, straight Marines wouldn't share rooms with don't ask' repeal, general says|last=Whitlock|first=Craig|date=March 27, 2010|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=January 7, 2011}}</ref> The [[Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010|policy was repealed]] on December 22, 2010, after his tenure as Commandant had ended.


On October 22, 2010, Conway turned the position of Commandant over to General [[James F. Amos]], his [[Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps|Assistant Commandant]], at a ceremony at [[Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C.]],<ref name="Amos">{{cite web|url=http://www.marines.mil/unit/barracks/Pages/TakingthereinsMarineCorpswelcomesnewcommandant.aspx |title=Taking the Reins: Marine Corps Welcomes New Commandant |last=Shea |first=Sgt Jimmy D. |date=October 22, 2010 |work=[[Headquarters Marine Corps]] |publisher=United States Marine Corps |accessdate=October 22, 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101026014216/http://www.marines.mil/unit/barracks/Pages/TakingthereinsMarineCorpswelcomesnewcommandant.aspx |archivedate=October 26, 2010 }}</ref> Defense secretary [[Robert Gates]] presented Conway with his third [[Defense Distinguished Service Medal]] during the change-in-command.<ref name="Amos"/> He then retired on November 1.
On October 22, 2010, Conway turned the position of Commandant over to General [[James F. Amos]], his [[Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps|Assistant Commandant]], at a ceremony at [[Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C.]],<ref name="Amos">{{cite web|url=http://www.marines.mil/unit/barracks/Pages/TakingthereinsMarineCorpswelcomesnewcommandant.aspx |title=Taking the Reins: Marine Corps Welcomes New Commandant |last=Shea |first=Sgt Jimmy D. |date=October 22, 2010 |work=[[Headquarters Marine Corps]] |publisher=United States Marine Corps |access-date=October 22, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101026014216/http://www.marines.mil/unit/barracks/Pages/TakingthereinsMarineCorpswelcomesnewcommandant.aspx |archive-date=October 26, 2010 }}</ref> Defense Secretary [[Robert Gates]] presented Conway with his third [[Defense Distinguished Service Medal]] during the change-in-command.<ref name="Amos"/> He then retired on November 1.


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Conway is married to Anette Conway and together they have three children, two sons, currently serving in the Marine Corps, and a daughter.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-01-20 |title=Gen James T. Conway, USMC (Ret) {{!}} Marine Corps University Foundation |url=https://mcufoundation.org/mcuf-bio/gen-james-t-conway-usmc-ret/ |access-date=2023-12-07 |language=en-US}}</ref>
Conway is a graduate of the Infantry Officers Advanced Course, the [[Marine Corps Command and Staff College]], and the [[Air War College]]. He is married to Annette Conway, née Drury, and they have three children. His two sons are Marine officers (infantry and reconnaissance), and his daughter is married to a Marine helicopter pilot.<ref>{{cite video|people=James T. Conway|date=October 22, 2010|title=The Passage of the Commandants – Gen. Conway says goodbye to the Corps|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EypZvtlTa4&feature=channel|medium=video broadcast|publisher=United States Marine Corps|location=Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C.|accessdate=November 23, 2010|time=8:13–10:36}}</ref>

Post-retirement, Conway has held many different positions including a board member seat for Textron, Colt Firearms, General Dynamics, and the Center for Naval Analysis, and xG technologies.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Seck |first=Hope Hodge |date=2015-01-13 |title=New position for former commandant Conway |url=https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/your-marine-corps/2015/01/13/new-position-for-former-commandant-conway/ |access-date=2023-12-07 |website=Marine Corps Times |language=en}}</ref> He sits on the Board of Directors for Warriors & Quiet Waters<ref>{{Cite web |last=Incorporated |first=Prime |title=James T. Conway |url=https://warriorsandquietwaters.org/board/james-t-conway |access-date=2023-12-07 |website=Warriors & Quiet Waters |language=en}}</ref> and is a member of the board of trustees for the Marine Corps University Foundation.

Conway served as an adjunct faculty member of Georgetown University.<ref name=":0" />


==Awards and decorations==
==Awards and decorations==
Conway has been decorated for service, to include: <center>
Conway has been decorated for service, to include:
{| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
{|
|-
|-
|colspan="4" align="center" |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Defense Distinguished Service ribbon.svg|width=106}}<span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -73px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg|22px]]</span><span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -53px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg|22px]]</span>
|colspan="4"|{{Ribbon devices|number=2|type=oak|ribbon=Defense Distinguished Service ribbon.svg|width=106}}

|rowspan="7" align="center" |[[File:Joint Chiefs of Staff seal.svg|150px]]
|rowspan="7" align="center" |[[File:Joint Chiefs of Staff seal.svg|150px]]
|-
|-
Line 70: Line 74:
|[[File:Legion of Merit ribbon.svg|106px]]
|[[File:Legion of Merit ribbon.svg|106px]]
|[[File:Defense Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svg|106px]]
|[[File:Defense Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svg|106px]]
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}<span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -76px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:1 golden star.svg|23px]]</span><span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -53px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:1 golden star.svg|23px]]</span>
|{{Ribbon devices|number=2|type=award-star|ribbon=Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}

|-
|-
|[[File:Navy and Marine Corps Commendation ribbon.svg|106px]]
|[[File:Navy and Marine Corps Commendation ribbon.svg|106px]]
Line 77: Line 82:
|[[File:United States Navy Presidential Unit Citation ribbon.svg|106px]]
|[[File:United States Navy Presidential Unit Citation ribbon.svg|106px]]
|-
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Joint Meritorious Unit Award-3d.svg|width=106}}<span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -73px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg|22px]]</span><span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -53px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg|22px]]</span>
|{{Ribbon devices|number=2|type=oak|ribbon=Joint Meritorious Unit Award-3d.svg|width=106}}

|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Navy Unit Commendation ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Navy Unit Commendation ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|[[File:Marine Corps Expeditionary ribbon.svg|106px]]
|[[File:Marine Corps Expeditionary ribbon.svg|106px]]
|-
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}<span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -71px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Bronze-service-star-3d.png|18px]]</span><span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -52px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Bronze-service-star-3d.png|18px]]</span>
|{{Ribbon devices|number=2|type=service-star|ribbon=National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}

|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Southwest Asia Service Medal ribbon (1991-2016).svg|width=106}}<span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -79px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Bronze-service-star-3d.png|18px]]</span><span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -61px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Bronze-service-star-3d.png|18px]]</span><span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -43px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Bronze-service-star-3d.png|18px]]</span>
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Iraq Campaign Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}<span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -71px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Bronze-service-star-3d.png|18px]]</span><span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -52px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Bronze-service-star-3d.png|18px]]</span>
|{{Ribbon devices|number=3|type=service-star|ribbon=Southwest Asia Service Medal ribbon (1991-2016).svg|width=106}}

|{{Ribbon devices|number=2|type=service-star|ribbon=Iraq Campaign Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}

|[[File:Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary ribbon.svg|106px]]
|[[File:Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary ribbon.svg|106px]]
|-
|-
|[[File:Global War on Terrorism Service ribbon.svg|106px]]
|[[File:Global War on Terrorism Service ribbon.svg|106px]]
|[[File:Korea Defense Service ribbon.svg|106px]]
|[[File:Korea Defense Service ribbon.svg|106px]]
|{{Ribbon devices|number=3|type=service-star|ribbon=Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.svg|width=106}}<span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -79px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Bronze-service-star-3d.png|18px]]</span><span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -61px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Bronze-service-star-3d.png|18px]]</span><span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -43px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Bronze-service-star-3d.png|18px]]</span>
|[[File:Marine Corps Drill Instructor Ribbon.svg|106px]]
|[[File:Marine Corps Drill Instructor Ribbon.svg|106px]]
|-
|-
Line 97: Line 106:
|[[File:Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait) ribbon.svg|106px]]
|[[File:Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait) ribbon.svg|106px]]
|-
|-
|colspan="2" align="center"|[[File:USMC Rifle Expert badge.png|150px]]
|colspan="2"|[[File:USMC Rifle Expert badge.png|150px]]
|colspan="2" align="center"|[[File:USMC Pistol Expert badge.png|150px]]
|colspan="2"|[[File:USMC Pistol Expert badge.png|150px]]
|-
|-
|} </center>
|}
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
!1st row
!1st row
|colspan="4" align="center" |[[Defense Distinguished Service Medal]] w/ 2 [[oak leaf cluster]]s
|colspan="4"|[[Defense Distinguished Service Medal]] w/ 2 [[oak leaf cluster]]s
|rowspan="7" align="center" |[[Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge]]
|rowspan="7" align="center" |[[Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge]]
|-
|-
Line 138: Line 147:
!7th row
!7th row
|The Khalifyyeh Order of Bahrain, Knight
|The Khalifyyeh Order of Bahrain, Knight
|[[Legion of Honour|Legion of Honor, Commander]]<ref name="LDH">{{cite web|url=http://www.marines.mil/unit/marforeur/Pages/CommandantoftheMarineCorpsawardedFrenchLegionofHonourbyFrenchArmyChiefofStaff.aspx|title=Commandant of the Marine Corps awarded French Legion of Honour by French Army Chief of Staff|last=DeFilippis|first=Sgt. Rocco|date=December 4, 2009|accessdate=December 11, 2009|location=Paris|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629161139/http://www.marines.mil/unit/marforeur/Pages/CommandantoftheMarineCorpsawardedFrenchLegionofHonourbyFrenchArmyChiefofStaff.aspx|archivedate=June 29, 2011|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
|[[Legion of Honour|Legion of Honor, Commander]]<ref name="LDH">{{cite web|url=http://www.marines.mil/unit/marforeur/Pages/CommandantoftheMarineCorpsawardedFrenchLegionofHonourbyFrenchArmyChiefofStaff.aspx|title=Commandant of the Marine Corps awarded French Legion of Honour by French Army Chief of Staff|last=DeFilippis|first=Sgt. Rocco|date=December 4, 2009|access-date=December 11, 2009|location=Paris|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629161139/http://www.marines.mil/unit/marforeur/Pages/CommandantoftheMarineCorpsawardedFrenchLegionofHonourbyFrenchArmyChiefofStaff.aspx|archive-date=June 29, 2011|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
|[[Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)]]
|[[Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)]]
|[[Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)]]
|[[Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)]]
Line 156: Line 165:
{{Commons category|James T. Conway}}
{{Commons category|James T. Conway}}
{{Marine Corps}}
{{Marine Corps}}
*{{cite web|url=http://www.marines.mil/units/hqmc/cmc/Pages/default.aspx|title=Official Homepage of the Commandant of the Marine Corps|publisher=United States Marine Corps|accessdate=January 21, 2009}}
*{{cite web|url=http://www.marines.mil/units/hqmc/cmc/Pages/default.aspx|title=Official Homepage of the Commandant of the Marine Corps|publisher=United States Marine Corps|access-date=January 21, 2009|archive-date=January 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121203328/https://www.marines.mil/units/hqmc/cmc/Pages/default.aspx|url-status=dead}}
*{{cite news|url=http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/special/mideast.nsf/0/640DFF288571695286256CC7007B57B8?OpenDocument |title=Preparing for war with Iraq |format=Biographical sketch of Gen. Conway |author=Ron Harris |work=[[St. Louis Post-Dispatch]] |date=February 8, 2003 |accessdate=June 24, 2006 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060808200113/http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/special/mideast.nsf/0/640DFF288571695286256CC7007B57B8?OpenDocument |archivedate=August 8, 2006 }}
*{{cite news|url=https://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/special/mideast.nsf/0/640DFF288571695286256CC7007B57B8?OpenDocument |title=Preparing for war with Iraq |format=Biographical sketch of Gen. Conway |author=Ron Harris |work=[[St. Louis Post-Dispatch]] |date=February 8, 2003 |access-date=June 24, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060808200113/http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/special/mideast.nsf/0/640DFF288571695286256CC7007B57B8?OpenDocument |archive-date=August 8, 2006 }}
*{{cite web|accessdate=January 7, 2011|url=http://www.tecom.usmc.mil/HD/Whos_Who/CONWAY_JT.htm|work=Who's Who in Marine Corps History|publisher=[[United States Marine Corps History Division]]|title=General James T. Conway, USMC|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101103023930/http://www.tecom.usmc.mil/HD/Whos_Who/CONWAY_JT.htm|archive-date=November 3, 2010|url-status=dead}}
*{{cite web|access-date=January 7, 2011|url=http://www.tecom.usmc.mil/HD/Whos_Who/CONWAY_JT.htm|work=Who's Who in Marine Corps History|publisher=[[United States Marine Corps History Division]]|title=General James T. Conway, USMC|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101103023930/http://www.tecom.usmc.mil/HD/Whos_Who/CONWAY_JT.htm|archive-date=November 3, 2010|url-status=dead}}
*{{cite magazine|last=Shea|first=Sgt Jimmy D.|date=December 8, 2010|title=General James T. Conway Reflects on Four Years, Two Wars|magazine=Marines magazine|publisher=United States Marine Corps|issue=Jul/Aug/Sept 2010|pages=14–19|url=http://marinesmagazine.dodlive.mil/2010/12/08/general-james-t-conway-reflects-on-four-years-two-wars/|accessdate=January 7, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101225055728/http://marinesmagazine.dodlive.mil/2010/12/08/general-james-t-conway-reflects-on-four-years-two-wars/|archive-date=December 25, 2010|url-status=dead}}
*{{cite magazine|last=Shea|first=Sgt Jimmy D.|date=December 8, 2010|title=General James T. Conway Reflects on Four Years, Two Wars|magazine=Marines magazine|publisher=United States Marine Corps|issue=Jul/Aug/Sept 2010|pages=14–19|url=http://marinesmagazine.dodlive.mil/2010/12/08/general-james-t-conway-reflects-on-four-years-two-wars/|access-date=January 7, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101225055728/http://marinesmagazine.dodlive.mil/2010/12/08/general-james-t-conway-reflects-on-four-years-two-wars/|archive-date=December 25, 2010|url-status=dead}}


==External links==
==External links==
*{{C-SPAN|jamestconway02}}
*{{C-SPAN|77545}}


{{s-start}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-mil}}
{{s-mil}}
{{succession box|before=[[Michael Hagee]]|title=[[Commandant of the Marine Corps]]|years=2006–2010|after=[[James F. Amos]]}}
{{succession box|before=[[Michael Hagee]]|title=[[Commandant of the United States Marine Corps|Commandant of the Marine Corps]]|years=2006–2010|after=[[James F. Amos]]}}
{{s-end}}
{{s-end}}
{{CMC}}
{{CMC}}
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[[Category:1947 births]]
[[Category:1947 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American Marine Corps personnel of the Gulf War]]
[[Category:United States Marine Corps personnel of the Gulf War]]
[[Category:American Marine Corps personnel of the Iraq War]]
[[Category:United States Marine Corps personnel of the Iraq War]]
[[Category:People from Walnut Ridge, Arkansas]]
[[Category:People from Walnut Ridge, Arkansas]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Legion of Merit]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Legion of Merit]]
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[[Category:Joint Chiefs of Staff]]
[[Category:Joint Chiefs of Staff]]
[[Category:United States Marine Corps Commandants]]
[[Category:United States Marine Corps Commandants]]
[[Category:Commandeurs of the Légion d'honneur]]
[[Category:Commanders of the Legion of Honour]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal]]
[[Category:Members of the Jewish Institute for National Security of America]]

Latest revision as of 16:24, 26 October 2024

For other people named James Conway, see James Conway (disambiguation).

James Terry Conway
34th Commandant of the Marine Corps
Born (1947-12-26) December 26, 1947 (age 76)
Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, U.S.
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service / branchUnited States Marine Corps
Years of service1970–2010
RankGeneral
CommandsCommandant of the Marine Corps
I Marine Expeditionary Force
1st Marine Division
The Basic School
3rd Battalion 2nd Marines
Battles / warsGulf War
Iraq War
AwardsDefense Distinguished Service Medal (3)
Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Legion of Merit
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal (3)
Commander of the Legion of Honour (France)

James Terry Conway (born December 26, 1947) is a retired United States Marine Corps four-star general who served as the 34th Commandant of the Marine Corps.[1][2][3] Among his previous postings were Director of Operations (J-3) on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Commanding General of 1st Marine Division and I Marine Expeditionary Force, taking part in the 2003 invasion of Iraq and the First Battle of Fallujah.

Early life and education

[edit]

Conway was born in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas. He graduated from Roosevelt High School in St. Louis, Missouri,[4] and then attended Southeast Missouri State University,[5] where he was a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, graduating in 1969 with a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology. Conway is a graduate of the Infantry Officers Advanced Course, the Marine Corps Command and Staff College, and the Air War College. He was commissioned as an infantry officer in 1970.

Marine career

[edit]

Conway's first assignment was command of a rifle platoon with 3rd Battalion 1st Marines, based at Camp Pendleton. He also served as the battalion's 106mm recoilless rifle platoon commander. Later, he served as Marine detachment executive officer aboard the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) and as commanding officer of the Sea School at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego.[4]

After graduating with honors from the Army's Infantry Officers Advanced Course, Conway commanded two companies in the 2nd Marine Regiment's Operations and Security section. As a field grade officer, he commanded two companies of students and taught tactics at The Basic School. He then went on to serve as operations officer for the 31st Marine Amphibious Unit, with sea duty in the western Pacific and in contingency operations off Beirut, Lebanon.

Returning to the United States, Conway was assigned as Senior Aide to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for two years. After graduating from Marine Corps Command and Staff College with honors, he took command of 3rd Battalion 2nd Marines through its eight-month deployment to Southwest Asia during the Gulf War.

After the war, he was promoted to colonel and assigned command of The Basic School. In 1992–1993, he attended MIT Seminar XXI.[6] Promoted to brigadier general in December 1995, he again was assigned to the Joint Chiefs and later served as president of the Marine Corps University.[7] After being promoted to major general, he served as commander of the 1st Marine Division and as Deputy Commanding General of Marine Forces Central. He was promoted to lieutenant general and assumed command of I Marine Expeditionary Force (I MEF) on November 16, 2002. He commanded I MEF during two combat tours in Iraq, with 60,000 troops under his command, including Marines, soldiers, sailors, and British forces. In the book The Iraq War, Conway was described as, "big, buff, well read and well educated ... he represented all that was best about the new United States Marine Corps, which General Al Gray as the commandant had set up."[8]

Conway responding to questions at a Pentagon briefing, June 2005
Conway is sworn in by General Peter Pace, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, on November 13, 2006

US Marines of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force under Conway's command constructed the military base "Camp Alpha" on top of ancient Babylonian ruins following the invasion. Though a US Military spokesman claimed that the project was discussed with the "head of the Babylon museum",[9] the construction of the base drew intense criticism from archaeologists, who contend that it caused irreparable damage to one of the most important sites in the world.

On June 13, 2006, Conway was nominated by President George W. Bush to become the 34th Commandant of the Marine Corps;[10] the nomination was confirmed by the Senate on August 2, 2006.[11] On November 13, Conway was promoted to the rank of general at Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C., and became the 34th Commandant of the Marine Corps. He was the first Commandant in nearly 40 years to have not served in the Vietnam War.

On June 11, 2009, Conway spoke at the National Press Club about the importance of maintaining the Amphibious assault ships to lift two Marine Expeditionary Brigades and the time "at home" away from the current wars to train for amphibious assault.[12]

Conway talks to his Marines, September 2005

Conway was reported to have had "major reservations" about the repeal of "don't ask, don't tell", in contrast to the Pentagon opinion that the younger rank and file of the military did not have such reservations about serving with openly gay service members.[13] Conway, along with Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Gary Roughead, and Chief of Staff of the United States Army, General George Casey, supported running a one-year study on the effects of a possible repeal.[14] Conway said that if gay Marines are allowed to serve openly, he might need to change the policy that requires unmarried Marines to share rooms.[15] The policy was repealed on December 22, 2010, after his tenure as Commandant had ended.

On October 22, 2010, Conway turned the position of Commandant over to General James F. Amos, his Assistant Commandant, at a ceremony at Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C.,[16] Defense Secretary Robert Gates presented Conway with his third Defense Distinguished Service Medal during the change-in-command.[16] He then retired on November 1.

Personal life

[edit]

Conway is married to Anette Conway and together they have three children, two sons, currently serving in the Marine Corps, and a daughter.[17]

Post-retirement, Conway has held many different positions including a board member seat for Textron, Colt Firearms, General Dynamics, and the Center for Naval Analysis, and xG technologies.[18] He sits on the Board of Directors for Warriors & Quiet Waters[19] and is a member of the board of trustees for the Marine Corps University Foundation.

Conway served as an adjunct faculty member of Georgetown University.[4]

Awards and decorations

[edit]

Conway has been decorated for service, to include:

Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Gold star
Gold star
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
1st row Defense Distinguished Service Medal w/ 2 oak leaf clusters Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge
2nd row Navy Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit Defense Meritorious Service Medal Meritorious Service Medal w/ 2 award stars
3rd row Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal Combat Action Ribbon Navy Presidential Unit Citation
4th row Joint Meritorious Unit Award w/ 2 oak leaf clusters Navy Unit Commendation Meritorious Unit Commendation w/ 1 service star Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal
5th row National Defense Service Medal w/ 2 service stars Southwest Asia Service Medal w/ 3 campaign stars Iraq Campaign Medal w/ 2 campaign stars Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
6th row Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Korea Defense Service Medal Sea Service Deployment Ribbon w/ 3 service stars Marine Corps Drill Instructor Ribbon
7th row The Khalifyyeh Order of Bahrain, Knight Legion of Honor, Commander[20] Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia) Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)
  • He also holds 7 expert awards in both rifle and pistol marksmanship badges. In 2010, Conway was the recipient of the distinguished "Keeper of the Flame" award.[citation needed]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ "Official Biography:General James T. Conway". Biographies: General Officers & Senior Executives. United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on July 22, 2011. Retrieved August 20, 2007.
  2. ^ "New Marine Corps Commandant Welcomed". Military.com. November 14, 2006. Retrieved November 14, 2006.
  3. ^ Schogol, Jeff (November 14, 2006). "Conway becomes Marine Corps Commandant". Stars and Stripes. Archived from the original on September 27, 2011. Retrieved November 14, 2006.
  4. ^ a b c "Encyclopedia of Arkansas". Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
  5. ^ "Marine Corps University > Research > Marine Corps History Division > People > Who's Who in Marine Corps History > Abrell - Cushman > General James T. Conway". www.usmcu.edu. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
  6. ^ Art, Robert (September 1, 2015). "From the Director: September, 2015". MIT Seminar XXI. Massachusetts Institute of Technology.; Massachusetts Institute of Technology. "Find Alumni". MIT Seminar XXI. Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
  7. ^ "Biography of General James T. Conway, USMC (Retired)". United States Marine Corps History Division. Archived from the original on September 23, 2015. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  8. ^ Murray, Williamson; Scales, Robert H. (2003). The Iraq War: A Military History. Harvard University Press. p. 65. ISBN 0-674-01280-1.
  9. ^ Leeman, Sue (January 16, 2005). "Damage seen to ancient Babylon". The Boston Globe.
  10. ^ Dunham, Will (June 13, 2006). "Marine Corps to get a new top general". Reuters. Archived from the original on June 1, 2006. Retrieved June 13, 2006.
  11. ^ "Conway confirmed as new commandant". Marine Corps Times. August 3, 2006. Archived from the original on August 8, 2006. Retrieved August 3, 2006.
  12. ^ Marine Commandant Says Corps Fulfilled its Mission in Iraq Archived June 13, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  13. ^ Bumiller, Elisabeth (January 31, 2010). "Forces Pushing Obama on 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'". the New York Times. Retrieved February 5, 2010.
  14. ^ Lamothe, Dan (February 24, 2010). "Conway: Study needed before DADT repeal". Marine Corps Times. Archived from the original on March 8, 2012. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
  15. ^ Whitlock, Craig (March 27, 2010). "Gay, straight Marines wouldn't share rooms with don't ask' repeal, general says". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 7, 2011.
  16. ^ a b Shea, Sgt Jimmy D. (October 22, 2010). "Taking the Reins: Marine Corps Welcomes New Commandant". Headquarters Marine Corps. United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on October 26, 2010. Retrieved October 22, 2010.
  17. ^ "Gen James T. Conway, USMC (Ret) | Marine Corps University Foundation". January 20, 2021. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
  18. ^ Seck, Hope Hodge (January 13, 2015). "New position for former commandant Conway". Marine Corps Times. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
  19. ^ Incorporated, Prime. "James T. Conway". Warriors & Quiet Waters. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
  20. ^ DeFilippis, Sgt. Rocco (December 4, 2009). "Commandant of the Marine Corps awarded French Legion of Honour by French Army Chief of Staff". Paris. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved December 11, 2009.

References

[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to James T. Conway.

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps.

[edit]
Military offices
Preceded by Commandant of the Marine Corps
2006–2010 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=James_T._Conway&oldid=1253555073"