Bernard E. Trainor: Difference between revisions
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{{short description|United States Marine Corps general and journalist}} |
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{{Infobox Military Person |
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{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2012}} |
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|name=Bernard E. Trainor |
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{{Infobox military person |
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|born= {{birth date and age|1928|9|2}} |
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| honorific_prefix = |
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|died= |
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| name = Bernard E. Trainor |
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|placeofbirth= [[New York City]], [[New York]] |
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| honorific_suffix = |
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|placeofdeath= |
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| native_name = |
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|placeofburial= |
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| native_name_lang = |
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|image= [[Image:TrainorBE USMC.jpg|180px]] |
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| image = TrainorBE USMC.jpg |
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|caption=LtGen Bernard E. Trainor |
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| image_size = 250px |
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|nickname= |
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| alt = |
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|allegiance= [[United States|United States of America]] |
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| birth_date = {{birth date|1928|09|02}} |
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|branch=[[United States Marine Corps]] |
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| death_date = {{Death date and age|2018|06|02|1928|09|02}} |
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|serviceyears=1946-1985 |
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| birth_place = [[New York City]], [[New York (state)|New York]], U.S. |
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|rank= [[Lieutenant General (United States)|Lieutenant General]] |
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| death_place = [[Sterling, Virginia]], U.S. |
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|commands=[[1st Battalion, 5th Marines]]<br/>[[1st Reconnaissance Battalion]] |
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| placeofburial = |
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|unit= |
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| placeofburial_label = |
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|battles=[[Vietnam War]] |
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| placeofburial_coordinates = <!-- {{Coord|LAT|LONG|display=inline,title}} --> |
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|awards=[[Navy Distinguished Service Medal|Distinguished Service Medal]]<br/>[[Legions of Merit]] (2)<br/> [[Bronze Star Medal|Bronze Star]] |
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| nickname = |
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|laterwork= Journalist<br/>Television commentator |
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| birth_name = |
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}} |
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| allegiance = [[United States of America]] |
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'''Bernard E. Trainor''' (born September 2, 1928) is a retired [[United States Marine Corps|Marine Corps]] lieutenant general. At one time Gen. Trainor was Chief of Operations for the U.S. Marine Corps and a member of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff. At present Gen. Trainor is a military analyst for [[NBC]]. He worked for ''[[The New York Times]]'' as chief military correspondent from 1986 to 1990 and at [[Harvard]]'s [[John F. Kennedy School of Government]] as Director of the National Security Program from 1990 to 1996. Later he was a Senior Fellow for National Security at the [[Council on Foreign Relations]]. He and [[Michael Gordon (journalist)|Michael R. Gordon]] have written two books together: ''[[The Generals' War]]'', which covers the 1991 [[Gulf War]], and ''[[Cobra II]]'', which covers the [[Iraq War]] begun in 2003. |
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| branch = [[File:USMC logo.svg|23px]] [[United States Marine Corps]] |
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| serviceyears = 1946–1985 |
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| rank = [[Lieutenant general (United States)|Lieutenant General]] |
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| servicenumber = <!--Do not use data from primary sources such as service records.--> |
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| unit = |
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| commands = [[1st Battalion, 5th Marines]]<br />[[1st Reconnaissance Battalion]] |
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| battles = [[Vietnam War]]<br />[[Korean War]] |
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| battles_label = |
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| awards = [[Navy Distinguished Service Medal|Distinguished Service Medal]]<br />[[Legions of Merit]] (Valor, 2)<br /> [[Bronze Star Medal|Bronze Star]] (Valor)<br /> [[Navy Commendation Medal]] (Valor)<br /> [[Combat Action Ribbon]] |
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| alma_mater = [[College of the Holy Cross]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])<br />[[University of Colorado Boulder]] ([[Master of Arts|MA]]) |
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| spouse = [[Margaret Trainor]] |
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| relations = Kathleen Trainor, Theresa Trainor, Saxon Trainor, Claire Trainor Leimone |
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| laterwork = Journalist<br/>Television commentator<br/>Author |
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| signature = |
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| website = <!-- {{URL|example.com}} --> |
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}} |
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'''Bernard E. Trainor''' (September 2, 1928 – June 2, 2018) was an American journalist and a [[United States Marine Corps]] [[Lieutenant general (United States)|lieutenant general]]. He served in the Marine Corps for 39 years in both staff and command capacities. After retiring from the Marine Corps, he began working as the chief military correspondent for ''[[The New York Times]]''. He was subsequently a military analyst for [[NBC]]. With [[Michael R. Gordon]], he was the author of three accounts of American wars in Iraq, ''The Generals War'' (1995); ''Cobra II'' (2006); and ''Endgame'' (2012). |
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==Early life and military career== |
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Lt. General Trainor has been awarded the [[Navy Distinguished Service Medal]], two [[Legions of Merit]], [[Bronze Star Medal|Bronze Star]] and two Navy Commendation Medals, all with Combat "V," the Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential and Navy Unit Citations, three Vietnamese Crosses of Gallantry (with silver stars), the Vietnamese Honor Medal (First Class). He wears the Navy-Marine parachute wings and holds two campaign stars for [[Korean War|Korea]] and four for [[Vietnam War|Vietnam]]. He is a graduate of the [[College of the Holy Cross]] and holds a masters degree in history from the [[University of Colorado at Boulder|University of Colorado]]. |
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Trainor was born on September 2, 1928, in the Bronx, New York City. |
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In 1946, Trainor enlisted in the United States Marine Corps after high school and served until his selection as a [[midshipman]] in the [[Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps]] (NROTC) in 1947. He then attended the [[College of the Holy Cross]], where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in history and was commissioned a Marine [[second lieutenant#United States|second lieutenant]] upon graduation in June 1951. |
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He then went to [[The Basic School]] in [[Marine Corps Base Quantico]], [[Virginia]], and after completion in December 1951, he was assigned to the [[1st Battalion 1st Marines]], [[1st Marine Division (United States)|1st Marine Division]] in [[Korea]], where he served as an infantry platoon commander. Returning to the United States in September 1952, he served with the [[8th Marine Regiment (United States)|8th Marines]], [[2nd Marine Division (United States)|2nd Marine Division]], [[Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune|Camp Lejeune]], [[North Carolina]]. |
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In June, 1953, he was assigned duties aboard the heavy cruiser {{USS|Columbus|CA-74|6}}, where he served consecutively as [[executive officer]] and [[commanding officer]] of the ship's Marine Detachment. During this two-year tour of duty, he was promoted to [[captain (United States)|captain]]. |
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Following sea duty, Trainor was assigned to the Personnel Department at [[Headquarters Marine Corps]] until 1958. He was then assigned as an [[exchange officer]] to the British [[Royal Marines|Royal Marine Commandos]]. After a period of training in the United Kingdom, he commanded a company in [[45 Commando]], [[3 Commando Brigade]], on [[Malta]]. |
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Upon completion of the exchange tour in 1959, he reported for duties with the 1st Marine Division, [[Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton|Camp Pendleton]], California, where he served consecutively as a company commander in [[United States Marine Corps Reconnaissance Battalions|reconnaissance]], [[List of United States Marine Corps battalions|anti-tank, and infantry battalions]]. |
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In 1961 he was ordered to duties as an instructor with the NROTC unit at the [[University of Colorado at Boulder|University of Colorado]], where he would also complete a [[Master of Arts]] degree in history. He was promoted to major in November, 1961. His next assignment returned him to Quantico, where he was a student at the Marine Corps [[Marine Corps Command and Staff College|Command and Staff College]]. Ordered to the [[Republic of Vietnam]] in July 1965, Major Trainor was assigned as an advisor to a Vietnamese special operations group. After a year in Vietnam, he was promoted to [[lieutenant colonel]] and returned to Quantico, where he served for three years as an instructor at the Command and Staff College. |
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In 1969, Trainor attended the [[Air War College]], [[Maxwell Air Force Base]], [[Alabama]]. During his War College course he was awarded the Anderson Memorial Award for the "best paper dealing with politico-military thought" and designated a "Distinguished Graduate" upon completion of the course in June 1970. He then served another tour in the Republic of Vietnam, where he commanded the [[1st Battalion 5th Marines]], and later the [[1st Reconnaissance Battalion]] of the 1st Marine Division. |
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Following his return to the United States in 1971, Trainor was assigned to Headquarters Marine Corps, where he served as a plans officer. During this tour, he was promoted to colonel on January 3, 1972. From July 1974 through June 1975, he served as Deputy Director of the [[military recruitment|1st Marine Corps District]], headquartered in New York. On July 1, 1975, he assumed duties as Director and held this post until his advancement to brigadier general in April 1976. At this time, he assumed duties as assistant depot commander, [[Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island]], [[South Carolina]]. |
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On April 14, 1978, he assumed the duties of deputy for education/director, education center, [[United States Marine Corps Training and Education Command|Marine Corps Development and Education Command]], Quantico. During this tour of duty, he was promoted to major general. He was subsequently transferred to Headquarters Marine Corps in April 1981 and assigned duty as director, Plans Division, Plans, Policies and Operations Department. Upon promotion to lieutenant general on June 15, 1983, he was assigned duty as the deputy chief of staff for plans, policies and operations, Headquarters Marine Corps. He served in this capacity until his retirement on July 1, 1985. |
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==Journalism career== |
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General Trainor worked for ''[[The New York Times]]'' as chief military correspondent from 1986 to 1990, covering events in Central America and Africa. He then joined [[Harvard University]]'s [[John F. Kennedy School of Government]] as Director of the National Security Program from 1990 to 1996. |
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Later, he was a Senior Fellow for National Security for the [[Council on Foreign Relations]]. During that time, Trainor appeared frequently on national news media as an expert on military and foreign affairs. He covered the invasion of Iraq for NBC and MSNBC. He and [[Michael Gordon (journalist)|Michael R. Gordon]] have written three books together: ''[[The Generals' War]]'', which covers the 1991 [[Gulf War]], ''[[Cobra II]]'', which covers the [[Iraq War]] begun in 2003 and concludes with ''[[The Endgame: The Inside Story of the Struggle for Iraq, from George W. Bush to Barack Obama]]''. |
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==Awards and honors== |
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{| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;" |
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|colspan="4"| |
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|- |
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| colspan="16"|[[File:U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps Parachutist Insignia-redone.png|220px]] |
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|- |
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|colspan="4"|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Navy Distinguished Service ribbon.svg|width=106}} {{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=award-star|other_device=nv|ribbon=Legion of Merit ribbon.svg|width=106}} {{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|other_device=nv|ribbon=Bronze Star ribbon.svg|width=106}} |
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|- |
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|{{Ribbon devices|number=2|type=award-star|other_device=nv|ribbon=Navy and Marine Corps Commendation ribbon.svg|width=106}} |
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|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Combat Action Ribbon.svg|width=106}} |
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|{{Ribbon devices|number=3|type=service-star|ribbon=Navy Unit Commendation ribbon.svg|width=106}} |
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|{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon.svg|width=106}} |
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|- |
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|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=World War II Victory Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |
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|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Army of Occupation ribbon.svg|width=106}} |
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|{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |
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|{{Ribbon devices|number=2|type=service-star|ribbon=Korean_Service_Medal_-_Ribbon.svg|width=106}} |
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|- |
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|{{Ribbon devices|number=4|type=service-star|ribbon=Vietnam Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |
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|{{Ribbon devices|number=3|type=award-star|ribbon=Vietnamese Gallantry Cross ribbon.svg|width=106}} |
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|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal ribbon-Second Class.svg|width=106}} |
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|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Presidential Unit Citation (Korea).svg|width=106}} |
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|- |
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|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Vietnam gallantry cross unit award-3d.svg|width=106}} |
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|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=VNCivilActionsRibbon-2.svg|width=106}} |
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|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=United Nations Service Medal Korea ribbon.svg|width=106}} |
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|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Vietnam Campaign Medal ribbon with 60- clasp.svg|width=106}} |
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|- |
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|} |
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{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;" |
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|- |
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|colspan="13"|[[Parachutist Badge (United States)|Navy and Marine Corps Parachutist Insignia]] |
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|- |
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!1st Row |
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|colspan="4" align="right" |[[Navy Distinguished Service Medal]] |
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|colspan="4"|[[Legion of Merit]] w/ 1 [[award star]] & [[valor device]] |
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|colspan="4" align="left" |[[Bronze Star Medal|Bronze Star]] w/ valor device |
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|- |
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!2nd Row |
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|colspan="3"|[[Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal]] w/ 1 award star & valor device |
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|colspan="3"|[[Combat Action Ribbon]] |
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|colspan="3"|[[Navy Unit Commendation]] w/ 3 [[service star]]s |
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|colspan="3"|[[Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation]] w/ 1 service star |
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|- |
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!3rd Row |
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|colspan="3"|[[World War II Victory Medal (United States)|World War II Victory Medal]] |
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|colspan="3"|[[Navy Occupation Service Medal]] |
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|colspan="3"|[[National Defense Service Medal]] w/ 1 service star |
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|colspan="3"|[[Korean Service Medal]] w/ 2 service stars |
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|- |
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!4th Row |
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|colspan="3"|[[Vietnam Service Medal]] w/ 4 service stars |
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|colspan="3"|[[Gallantry Cross (Vietnam)|Vietnam Gallantry Cross]] w/ 3 gold stars |
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|colspan="3"|[[Armed Forces Honor Medal|Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal]] |
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|colspan="3"|[[Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation|Korean Presidential Unit Citation]] |
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|- |
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!5th Row |
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|colspan="3"|[[Gallantry Cross (Vietnam)|Vietnam Gallantry Cross unit citation]] |
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|colspan="3"|[[Civil Actions Medal|Vietnam Civil Actions unit citation]] |
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|colspan="3"|[[United Nations Korea Medal]] |
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|colspan="3"|[[Vietnam Campaign Medal]] |
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|- |
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|} |
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==Additional Awards== |
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In addition to his military service awards, General Trainor received the [https://www.holycross.edu/sanctae-crucis-awards Sanctae Crucis Award for Christian Leadership] from the College of the Holy Cross in 2008. In 2013 the American Veterans Center chose him to receive the [https://www.marshallfoundation.org/newsroom/awards-programs/andrew-j-goodpaster-award/ Andrew J. Goodpaster Award] for military thought and performance. The Foreign Policy Research Institute established the [https://www.fpri.org/news/2017/02/fpri-announces-lt-gen-bernard-e-trainor-usmc-veterans-fellowship/ Lt. Gen. Bernard E. Trainor USMC Veterans Fellowship] in 2017. In May 2018 the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion Association and the Marine Corps Gazette announced the Lt Gen Bernard E. "Mick" Trainor Military Writing Award. |
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==Bibliography== |
==Bibliography== |
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*'' |
*''The Endgame: The Inside Story of the Struggle for Iraq, from George W. Bush to Barack Obama'' (2013) {{ISBN|9780307388940}} {{OCLC|819383400}} |
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*''[[ |
*''[[Cobra II: The Inside Story of the Invasion and Occupation of Iraq]]'' (2006) (co-written with [[Michael Gordon (journalist)|Michael R. Gordon]]) {{ISBN|0-375-42262-5}} |
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*''[https://www.amazon.com/Generals-War-Inside-Story-Conflict/dp/0316321001/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1528119020&sr=1-1&keywords=trainor+gordon+general%27s+war The Generals' War: The Inside Story of the Conflict in the Gulf]'' (1995) {{ISBN|0-316-32100-1}} |
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*''[[A History of the Marine Corps]]'' ([[Rand McNally]], 1968) |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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{{Portal|Biography}} |
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*[[List of Korean War veterans who are recipients of the Bronze Star]] |
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==References== |
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{{Marine Corps}} |
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*{{cite web|url=https://slsp.manpower.usmc.mil/GOSA/Biographies/rptBiography.asp?PERSON_ID=339&PERSON_TYPE=General|title=Lieutenant General Bernard E. Trainor – Retired|work=General Officer biographies|publisher=[[United States Marine Corps]]|accessdate=February 27, 2009|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120220042857/https://slsp.manpower.usmc.mil/GOSA/Biographies/rptBiography.asp?PERSON_ID=339&PERSON_TYPE=General|archivedate=February 20, 2012|df=mdy-all}} |
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*{{cite web|url=http://www.tecom.usmc.mil/HD/Whos_Who/Trainor_BE.htm|title=LIEUTENANT GENERAL BERNARD E. TRAINOR, USMC (RETIRED)|work=Who's Who in Marine Corps History|publisher=USMC Historical Division|accessdate=February 27, 2009}} |
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*[https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/04/obituaries/bernard-e-trainor-dead.htmld "Bernard E. Trainor, 89, General Turned Military Analyst, Is Dead"] New York Times, 6/4/2018 |
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*[https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/bernard-e-trainor-marine-lieutenant-general-turned-journalist-dies-at-89/2018/06/04/a295e796-6801-11e8-9e38-24e693b38637_story.html "Bernard E. Trainor, Marine lieutenant general turned journalist, dies at 89"] Washington Post, 6/6/2018 |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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*{{C-SPAN|16767}} |
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*[http://www.usmc.mil/genbios2.nsf/biographies/6C81D322C9DE7F7D8525707C005241E7?opendocument Official Marine Corps Bio] |
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*{{ |
*{{IMDb name|id=0870709|name=Bernard E. Trainor}} |
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{{Authority control}} |
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{{Persondata |
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|NAME= Trainor, Bernard E. |
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|ALTERNATIVE NAMES= |
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|SHORT DESCRIPTION= |
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|DATE OF BIRTH= |
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|PLACE OF BIRTH= [[New York City]], [[New York]] |
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|DATE OF DEATH= |
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|PLACE OF DEATH= |
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}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Trainor, Bernard E.}} |
{{DEFAULTSORT:Trainor, Bernard E.}} |
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[[Category:1928 births]] |
[[Category:1928 births]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:2018 deaths]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Military personnel from New York City]] |
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[[Category:American military personnel of the Korean War]] |
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[[Category:Recipients of the Distinguished Service Medal]] |
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[[Category:Recipients of the Legion of Merit]] |
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[[Category:Recipients of the Bronze Star medal]] |
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[[Category:Recipients of the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry]] |
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[[Category:United States Marine Corps generals]] |
[[Category:United States Marine Corps generals]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:United States Marine Corps personnel of the Korean War]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:United States Marine Corps personnel of the Vietnam War]] |
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[[Category:Recipients of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal]] |
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[[Category:Recipients of the Legion of Merit]] |
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[[Category:American recipients of the Gallantry Cross (Vietnam)]] |
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[[Category:The New York Times journalists]] |
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[[Category:Harvard Kennedy School faculty]] |
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[[Category:College of the Holy Cross alumni]] |
[[Category:College of the Holy Cross alumni]] |
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[[Category:University of Colorado Boulder alumni]] |
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{{US-journalist-1920s-stub}} |
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{{USMC-bio-stub}} |
Latest revision as of 02:34, 2 November 2024
Bernard E. Trainor | |
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Born | New York City, New York, U.S. | September 2, 1928
Died | June 2, 2018 Sterling, Virginia, U.S. | (aged 89)
Allegiance | United States of America |
Service | United States Marine Corps |
Years of service | 1946–1985 |
Rank | Lieutenant General |
Commands | 1st Battalion, 5th Marines 1st Reconnaissance Battalion |
Battles / wars | Vietnam War Korean War |
Awards | Distinguished Service Medal Legions of Merit (Valor, 2) Bronze Star (Valor) Navy Commendation Medal (Valor) Combat Action Ribbon |
Alma mater | College of the Holy Cross (BA) University of Colorado Boulder (MA) |
Spouse(s) | Margaret Trainor |
Relations | Kathleen Trainor, Theresa Trainor, Saxon Trainor, Claire Trainor Leimone |
Other work | Journalist Television commentator Author |
Bernard E. Trainor (September 2, 1928 – June 2, 2018) was an American journalist and a United States Marine Corps lieutenant general. He served in the Marine Corps for 39 years in both staff and command capacities. After retiring from the Marine Corps, he began working as the chief military correspondent for The New York Times. He was subsequently a military analyst for NBC. With Michael R. Gordon, he was the author of three accounts of American wars in Iraq, The Generals War (1995); Cobra II (2006); and Endgame (2012).
Early life and military career
[edit]Trainor was born on September 2, 1928, in the Bronx, New York City.
In 1946, Trainor enlisted in the United States Marine Corps after high school and served until his selection as a midshipman in the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) in 1947. He then attended the College of the Holy Cross, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in history and was commissioned a Marine second lieutenant upon graduation in June 1951.
He then went to The Basic School in Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, and after completion in December 1951, he was assigned to the 1st Battalion 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division in Korea, where he served as an infantry platoon commander. Returning to the United States in September 1952, he served with the 8th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
In June, 1953, he was assigned duties aboard the heavy cruiser USS Columbus, where he served consecutively as executive officer and commanding officer of the ship's Marine Detachment. During this two-year tour of duty, he was promoted to captain.
Following sea duty, Trainor was assigned to the Personnel Department at Headquarters Marine Corps until 1958. He was then assigned as an exchange officer to the British Royal Marine Commandos. After a period of training in the United Kingdom, he commanded a company in 45 Commando, 3 Commando Brigade, on Malta.
Upon completion of the exchange tour in 1959, he reported for duties with the 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, California, where he served consecutively as a company commander in reconnaissance, anti-tank, and infantry battalions.
In 1961 he was ordered to duties as an instructor with the NROTC unit at the University of Colorado, where he would also complete a Master of Arts degree in history. He was promoted to major in November, 1961. His next assignment returned him to Quantico, where he was a student at the Marine Corps Command and Staff College. Ordered to the Republic of Vietnam in July 1965, Major Trainor was assigned as an advisor to a Vietnamese special operations group. After a year in Vietnam, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel and returned to Quantico, where he served for three years as an instructor at the Command and Staff College.
In 1969, Trainor attended the Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. During his War College course he was awarded the Anderson Memorial Award for the "best paper dealing with politico-military thought" and designated a "Distinguished Graduate" upon completion of the course in June 1970. He then served another tour in the Republic of Vietnam, where he commanded the 1st Battalion 5th Marines, and later the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion of the 1st Marine Division.
Following his return to the United States in 1971, Trainor was assigned to Headquarters Marine Corps, where he served as a plans officer. During this tour, he was promoted to colonel on January 3, 1972. From July 1974 through June 1975, he served as Deputy Director of the 1st Marine Corps District, headquartered in New York. On July 1, 1975, he assumed duties as Director and held this post until his advancement to brigadier general in April 1976. At this time, he assumed duties as assistant depot commander, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina.
On April 14, 1978, he assumed the duties of deputy for education/director, education center, Marine Corps Development and Education Command, Quantico. During this tour of duty, he was promoted to major general. He was subsequently transferred to Headquarters Marine Corps in April 1981 and assigned duty as director, Plans Division, Plans, Policies and Operations Department. Upon promotion to lieutenant general on June 15, 1983, he was assigned duty as the deputy chief of staff for plans, policies and operations, Headquarters Marine Corps. He served in this capacity until his retirement on July 1, 1985.
Journalism career
[edit]General Trainor worked for The New York Times as chief military correspondent from 1986 to 1990, covering events in Central America and Africa. He then joined Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government as Director of the National Security Program from 1990 to 1996.
Later, he was a Senior Fellow for National Security for the Council on Foreign Relations. During that time, Trainor appeared frequently on national news media as an expert on military and foreign affairs. He covered the invasion of Iraq for NBC and MSNBC. He and Michael R. Gordon have written three books together: The Generals' War, which covers the 1991 Gulf War, Cobra II, which covers the Iraq War begun in 2003 and concludes with The Endgame: The Inside Story of the Struggle for Iraq, from George W. Bush to Barack Obama.
Awards and honors
[edit]Navy and Marine Corps Parachutist Insignia | ||||||||||||
1st Row | Navy Distinguished Service Medal | Legion of Merit w/ 1 award star & valor device | Bronze Star w/ valor device | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2nd Row | Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal w/ 1 award star & valor device | Combat Action Ribbon | Navy Unit Commendation w/ 3 service stars | Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation w/ 1 service star | ||||||||
3rd Row | World War II Victory Medal | Navy Occupation Service Medal | National Defense Service Medal w/ 1 service star | Korean Service Medal w/ 2 service stars | ||||||||
4th Row | Vietnam Service Medal w/ 4 service stars | Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/ 3 gold stars | Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal | Korean Presidential Unit Citation | ||||||||
5th Row | Vietnam Gallantry Cross unit citation | Vietnam Civil Actions unit citation | United Nations Korea Medal | Vietnam Campaign Medal |
Additional Awards
[edit]In addition to his military service awards, General Trainor received the Sanctae Crucis Award for Christian Leadership from the College of the Holy Cross in 2008. In 2013 the American Veterans Center chose him to receive the Andrew J. Goodpaster Award for military thought and performance. The Foreign Policy Research Institute established the Lt. Gen. Bernard E. Trainor USMC Veterans Fellowship in 2017. In May 2018 the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion Association and the Marine Corps Gazette announced the Lt Gen Bernard E. "Mick" Trainor Military Writing Award.
Bibliography
[edit]- The Endgame: The Inside Story of the Struggle for Iraq, from George W. Bush to Barack Obama (2013) ISBN 9780307388940 OCLC 819383400
- Cobra II: The Inside Story of the Invasion and Occupation of Iraq (2006) (co-written with Michael R. Gordon) ISBN 0-375-42262-5
- The Generals' War: The Inside Story of the Conflict in the Gulf (1995) ISBN 0-316-32100-1
- A History of the Marine Corps (Rand McNally, 1968)
See also
[edit]References
[edit]This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps.
- "Lieutenant General Bernard E. Trainor – Retired". General Officer biographies. United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on February 20, 2012. Retrieved February 27, 2009.
- "LIEUTENANT GENERAL BERNARD E. TRAINOR, USMC (RETIRED)". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. USMC Historical Division. Retrieved February 27, 2009.
- "Bernard E. Trainor, 89, General Turned Military Analyst, Is Dead" New York Times, 6/4/2018
- "Bernard E. Trainor, Marine lieutenant general turned journalist, dies at 89" Washington Post, 6/6/2018
External links
[edit]- 1928 births
- 2018 deaths
- Military personnel from New York City
- United States Marine Corps generals
- United States Marine Corps personnel of the Korean War
- United States Marine Corps personnel of the Vietnam War
- Recipients of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal
- Recipients of the Legion of Merit
- American recipients of the Gallantry Cross (Vietnam)
- The New York Times journalists
- Harvard Kennedy School faculty
- College of the Holy Cross alumni
- University of Colorado Boulder alumni