On 11 September 2007, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates announced that President George W. The Pentagon announced on that Lieutenant General Mattis was chosen to take command of I Marine Expeditionary Force, based out of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. This phrase became widely publicized during the investigation into the conduct of Lieutenant Ilario Pantano, a Platoon Commander serving under General Mattis. General Mattis popularized the slogan "no better friend, no worse enemy," (originally coined by the Roman Sulla as his own epitaph in 78 BC) for his command. Following a Pentagon survey that showed only 55% of soldiers and 40% of Marines would report a colleague for abusing civilians, Mattis told his Marines in May 2007, "Whenever you show anger or disgust toward civilians, it's a victory for Al Qaeda and other insurgents." Reflecting an understanding of the need for restraint in war as key to defeating an insurgency, he added that, "Every time you wave at an Iraqi civilian, Al Qaeda rolls over in its grave." I'll be right upfront with you, I like brawling." Mattis's remarks sparked controversy and General Michael Hagee, Commandant of the Marine Corps, issued a statement suggesting that Mattis should have chosen his words more carefully, but would not be disciplined. So it's a hell of a lot of fun to shoot them. You know, guys like that ain't got no manhood left anyway. On 1 February 2005, speaking ad libitum at a forum in San Diego, he said "You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil. Mattis played a key role in the April 2004 battle of Fallujah, Operation Vigilant Resolve, by negotiating with the insurgent command inside of the city, as well as playing an important part in planning the subsequent Operation Phantom Fury in November.Īfter being promoted to Lieutenant General, Mattis took Command of Marine Corps Combat Development Command. As a Major General, he commanded the 1st Marine Division during the 2003 invasion of Iraq and subsequent stability operations during the Iraq War. As the Commander of TF-58, he became the first Marine to command a Naval Task Force in combat. As a Brigadier General he Commanded 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade and Task Force 58 during Operation Enduring Freedom in southern Afghanistan. As a Colonel, he commanded 7th Marine Regiment. Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, he commanded 1st Battalion 7th Marines one of Task Force Ripper's Assault Battalions in the Gulf War. As a Major he Commanded Recruiting Station Portland. As a Captain, he Commanded a Rifle Company and a Weapons Company in the 1st Marine Brigade. After completing Officer Candidate School he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant on 1 January 1972.Īs a Lieutenant, he served as a Rifle and Weapons Platoon Commander in the 3rd Marine Division. He graduated from Richland High School in 1968 and attended Central Washington University. Mattis was born on 8 September 1950 in Pullman, WA. Iraq War (Operation Iraqi Freedom) (2003 - 2011).Afghanistan War (Operation Enduring Freedom) (2001 - present).
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