George Ronald Christmas
Lieutenant General, U.S. Marine Corps

George Ronald Christmas was born in Philadelphia, PA, on 11 March 1940. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1962 and earned a Master of Science degree from Shippensburg University in 1982.

Military Career

Christmas was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve in 1962 through the NROTC program. After completion of The Basic School at MCB Quantico in Virginia, he was assigned as a platoon leader in Company L, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines, 2nd Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, NC. He later served as the Battalion Personnel Officer. In December 1963 while at Camp Lejeune, he was promoted to First Lieutenant. He augmented from the Reserve into the Regular Marine Corps in 1965.

In May 1965, he was assigned as the Executive Officer at the Marine Barracks, 8th & I in Washington, DC. After his promotion to Captain in June 1966, he was Commanding Officer, Headquarters and Service Company.

In October 1968, following recovery from his wounds, he was assigned to the staff of The Basic School in Quantico, VA. After that assignment, he graduated with distinction from the Amphibious Warfare School in July 1969. Subsequently, he was assigned as an instructor at the U.S. Army's John F. Kennedy Institute for Military Assistance, Fort Bragg, NC.

In July 1971, Christmas was transferred to Washington, DC, to serve at Headquarters Marine Corps as the Special Assistant and Aide to the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps. There he was promoted to Major in February 1972 and remained in that post until April 1973. He then returned to The Basic School where he served successively as the Company Tactics Chief; Commanding Officer, Student Company A; and the Tactics Group Chief. From The Basic School, he transferred to the Marine Corps Command and Staff College as a student.

Christmas reported for duty, in July 1975, as the Operations Officer and, later, Executive Officer, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, FMF, on Okinawa, Japan. Major Christmas returned to the U.S. in August 1976 for assignment as the Commanding Officer, Marine Barracks, Annapolis, MD. While there, he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in September 1978. From August 1979 until May 1981, he served as the Commanding Officer, First Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, SC.

LtCol Christmas was selected to attend the Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, PA, and participated in the Cooperative Degree Program at Shippensburg University, leading to his Master's Degree in Public Administration. In July 1982, He served for a year as a Naval Operations Officer, J3 Directorate, USCINCPAC, Camp H. M. Smith, HI, and upon his promotion to Colonel, assumed duties as Chief of Protocol, USCINCPAC. In September 1984, he was reassigned as Commanding Officer, 3rd Marine Regiment (Reinforced), 1st Marine Amphibious Brigade.

In July 1986, Col Christmas was assigned duty as Director, Amphibious Warfare School. He was advanced to the flag rank of Brigadier General on 13 May 1988, and assigned duty as the Assistant Division Commander, 3rd Marine Division, FMF/Commanding General, 9th Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Okinawa, Japan. in June 1988. He assumed command of the 3rd Force Service Support Group on 18 August 1989 and, on 18 May 1990, again took command of the 9th MEB in addition to his duties as Commanding General, 3rd FSSG.

After advancement to the two-star rank of Major General on 27 June 1991, Christmas was assigned duty as the Director for Operations (J3), U.S. Pacific Command, Camp H. M. Smith, HI on 26 July 1991. Following the receipt of his third star as a Lieutenant General on 8 July 1993, he assumed duty as Commanding General, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, CA, and served in that capacity until July 1994.

On 15 July 1994, he assumed his final active duty Marine Corps post as Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower and Reserve Affairs. Lieutenant General Christmas retired in 1996 after 34 years of active duty service.

Medals and Awards

Navy Cross *
Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Defense Superior Service Medal
Purple Heart
Meritorious Service Medal with 3 Gold Stars
Joint Service Achievement Medal
Combat Action Ribbon with Gold Star
Navy Presidential Unit Citation with Bronze Star
Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation
National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Service Star
Vietnam Service Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars
Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon
Navy & Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon
Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm
Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation
Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Citation
Vietnam Campaign Medal

* Navy Cross Citation

The Navy Cross is awarded to Captain George R. Christmas, United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving as the Commanding Officer of Company H, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine Division in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the afternoon of 5 February 1968 during Operation Hue City, Company H was attacking a complex of buildings known to be an enemy strong point consisting of mutually supporting bunkers, fighting holes, and trench lines. During the ensuing fire fight, two platoons seized the corner building of a city block, but intense hostile small-arms, automatic weapons, and B-40 rocket fire temporarily halted the advance. Realizing the seriousness of the situation and the urgent need to sustain the momentum of the attack, Captain Christmas, undaunted by the heavy volume of enemy fire, completely disregarded his own safety as he moved across thirty-five meters of open area to join the lead element and assess the situation. Returning across the fire-swept area, he rejoined the remaining platoon, issued an attack order, and then ran seventy meters across open terrain, ignoring automatic weapons fire, and satchel charges striking around him to reach a tank he had requested. Braving enemy fire and two B-40 rockets that hit the tank, he fearlessly stood atop the vehicle to direct accurate fire against the hostile positions until the intensity of enemy fire diminished. Immediately realizing the tactical advantage, he jumped from the tank, and directed his company in an aggressive assault on the hostile positions, personally leading his men in room-to-room fighting until the building complex was secured. In a large measure due to his bold initiative and courageous actions, he provided the impetus which inspired his men to aggressive action and enabled them to successfully accomplish the mission. By his dynamic leadership, unfaltering determination and selfless devotion to duty in the face of extreme personal danger, Captain Christmas upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

In Retirement

Christmas serves as a Director of Stone Energy Corporation in Louisiana; he also serves on the Board of Advisors of Recruit Military.
From 1996-2011, he served as the President and CEO of the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation.