Earl B. Hailston

Infobox Military Person
name= Earl Hailston
born=
died=
placeofbirth=
placeofdeath=


caption= LtGen Earl Hailston, USMC(Ret)
nickname=
allegiance= United States of America
branch= United States Marine Corps
serviceyears= 1967 to 2003
rank= Lieutenant General
current position= Retired
commands=
unit=
battles=Vietnam War
awards=~ Defense Distinguished Service Medal ~ Silver Star ~ Legion of Merit ~ Bronze Star with Combat "V" ~ Defense Meritorious Service Medal ~ Meritorious Service Medal with Gold Star ~ Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal ~ Combat Action Ribbon
laterwork= Earl B. Hailston is a retired Marine Corps Lieutenant General. He was Commanding General of United States Marine Corps Forces Pacific, U.S. Marine Forces Central Command, United States Marine Corps Forces Pacific, and U.S. Marine Corps Bases Pacific.

Early career

Hailston began his career in the Marine Corps as an enlisted infantry rifleman in 1967. After completing boot camp, LtGen Hailston reported to the 2nd Marine Division for duty as an infantry rifleman. Shortly after, Hailston entered the Enlisted Commissioning Program and received his commission in 1968. After completing The Basic School, Hailston received assignment as a rifle platoon commander with India Company "I", 3rd Battalion, 27th Marines.

Vietnam Service

From July 1969 to January 1971, Hailston served in the Republic of Vietnam attached to the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division.

General career

In May 1994, Hailston was promoted to the rank of Brigader General and received command of the 3rd Force Service Support Group, FMF, Pacific, Okinawa, Japan. Further commands included:

*July 1996 - Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff, Installations and Logistics (Facilities), Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Washington, D.C.
*March 1997 to June 1999 – Promotion to Major General U.S. Pacific Command Director of Strategic Plans and Policy (J-5).
*June 1999 - III Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Corps Bases Japan. Promotion to Lietenant General in June 1999.
*August 2001 to Retirement - Component Commander for the U.S. Pacific Command and U.S. Central Command. In mid January 2002 General Tommy Franks forward deployed General Hailston's command to Bahrain

Okinawa Email Controversy

While serving as Commanding General of the III Marine Expeditionary Force, General Hailston drafted an email to 13 USMC officers in which he called the local Okinawa officials "nuts" and "wimps". The email followed a January 2001 incident where a Marine was arrested for lifting up the dress of an Okinawan schoolgirl. LtGen Hailston later made a former apology stating:

"The message was an attempt, in a very emotional manner, to gain the strict attention of my commanders. If my remarks in the e-mail are construed as suggesting anything else, then I am deeply sorry and apologize for the misunderstanding."

ee also

References

* [http://www.usmc.mil/genbios2.nsf/0/373B128EE39C7FE98525680800446D90?opendocument Official Biography for Earl B. Hailston]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/1155935.stm BBC E-mail provokes Okinawa fury, Feb 6, 2001]