Peter Pace | |
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Born | New York City, New York, U.S. | November 5, 1945
Allegiance | United States |
Service/ | United States Marine Corps |
Years of service | 1967–2007 |
Rank | General |
Commands | Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff U.S. Southern Command Marine Forces Atlantic 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines |
Battles/wars | Vietnam War Operation Restore Hope |
Awards | Defense Distinguished Service Medal (4) Navy Distinguished Service Medal Army Distinguished Service Medal Air Force Distinguished Service Medal Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit Bronze Star Medal with valor Defense Meritorious Service Medal |
Peter Pace (born November 5, 1945) is a retired United States Marine Corps general who served as the 16th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Pace was the first Marine officer appointed as chairman and the first Marine officer to be appointed to three different four-star assignments; the others were as the sixth vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from October 1, 2001, to August 12, 2005, and as Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Southern Command from September 8, 2000, to September 30, 2001. Appointed chairman by President George W. Bush, Pace succeeded U.S. Air Force General Richard Myers on September 30, 2005.
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates announced on June 8, 2007, that he would advise the President to not renominate Pace for a second term. Pace retired from the Marine Corps and stepped down as chairman on October 1, 2007. He was replaced by Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Michael Mullen.[1][2]