Carl Epting Mundy, Jr.
General, U.S. Marine Corps
30th Commandant 1991-1995

Carl Epting Mundy, Jr. was born on 16 July 1935 in Atlanta, GA. His family moved frequently when he was a young child, settling in Waynesville, NC, when Mundy was about 10 years old. He graduated from Sidney Lanier High School in Montgomery, AL. At age 18, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.

Marine Corps Service

While attending college in December 1953, an 18-year old Mundy enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and enrolled in the Navy ROTC Program. He served in the 38th Special Infantry Company, Montgomery, AL, and rose to the rank of Sergeant. Following graduation from Auburn University in June 1957, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant. His later military education included the Command and General Staff College and the Naval War College.

His early assignments included service in the 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division; duty aboard the aircraft carrier USS Tarawa (CV-40) and the cruiser USS Little Rock (CG-4); instructor at The Basic School; and as Officer Selection Officer, Raleigh, NC. In 1966-67, Mundy served in Vietnam as Operations and Executive Officer of the 3rd Battalion, 26th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, and as an Intelligence Officer in the Headquarters, III Marine Amphibious Force.

After Vietnam, his principal assignments were:

● Aide-de-Camp to the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps
● Inspector Instructor, 4th Air-Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, Miami, FL
● Commanding Officer, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 3rd Marine Division
● Plans Officer, Headquarters Marine Corps
● Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence, 2nd Marine Division
● Chief of Staff, Sixth Marine Amphibious Brigade
● Commanding Officer, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, and 36th and 38th Marine Amphibious Units

Following advancement to Brigadier General in April 1982, Mundy's assignments as a general officer were:

● Director of Personnel Procurement, Headquarters Marine Corps
● Commanding General, Landing Force Training Command, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, and Commanding General, 4th Marine Amphibious Brigade
● Advanced to Major General in April 1986
● Director of Operations, Headquarters Marine Corps
● Advanced to Lieutenant General in March 1988
● Deputy Chief of Plans, Policies and Operations, Headquarters Marine Corps Operations Deputy to the Joint Chiefs of Staff
● Commanding General of the Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic, the II Marine Expeditionary Force, the Allied Command Atlantic Marine Striking Force, and designated to command Fleet Marine Forces which might be employed in Europe.
● Promoted to General on 1 July 1991
● 30th Commandant of the Marine Corps from 1 July 1991 to 30 June 1995

General Mundy retired from active Marine service on 30 June 1995.

Remarks on Minority Officers

In a 31 October 1993 segment on the CBS program 60 Minutes on the dearth of minority promotions in the Marine Corps, General Mundy was quoted as saying, "In the military skills, we find that the minority officers do not shoot as well as the non-minorities. They don't swim as well. And when you give them a compass and send them across the terrain at night in a land navigation exercise, they don't do as well at that sort of thing." Mundy, noted for being blunt, though possibly the "victim of selective editing," apologized for "any offense that may have been taken" from his remarks. According to The Times, the general elaborated on this question at a 1993 commemoration of the Battle of Iwo Jima, when commenting on Ira Hayes, he said "Were Ira Hayes here today ... I would tell him that although my words on another occasion have given the impression that I believe some Marines ... because of their color ... are not as capable as other Marines ... that those were not the thoughts of my mind ... and that they are not the thoughts of my heart."

WASHINGTON - The Pentagon issued an apology Tuesday for remarks made by Gen. Carl E. Mundy Jr., commandant of the Marine Corps, who said in a televised interview that black officers and those of other minority groups do not shoot, swim or read compasses as well as whites.

In a statement to reporters, Navy Capt. Michael Doubleday said that Mundy "regrets any offense that may have been taken by his statements," which were televised Sunday on the CBS program "60 Minutes" as part of a segment on problems minority officers have receiving promotions.

Position on Married Marines

Mundy issued an order in 1993 to cut down (and eventually eliminate) the recruitment category for married Marines; the order was rescinded following a public outcry.

Medals and Awards

Defense Distinguished Service Medal
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 w/ Valor Device and 1 Award Star
Bronze Star Medal w/ Valor Device
Purple Heart Medal
Meritorious Service Medal
Navy Commendation Medal w/ 1 Valor Device and Award Star
Navy Achievement Medal
Combat Action Ribbon w/ 1 Award Star
Navy Presidential Unit Citation
Navy Unit Commendation
National Defense Service Medal w/ 2 Service Stars
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Vietnam Service Medal w/ 2 Service Stars
Sea Service Ribbon w/ 5 Service Stars
Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry w/ 1 Gold Star
Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry Unit Citation
French Legion of Honor, Grade of Commander
Argentinian Order of the Liberator General San Martin, Grand Cross
Royal Norwegian Order of Merit, Grand Cross
Netherlands Medal of Merit
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Colombian Distinguished Service
Spanish Grand Cross of Naval Merit
Swedish Order of the Polar Star

Badges

Naval Parachutist Badge
Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge

In Retirement

From 1996 to 2000, Mundy served as President and CEO of the USO. He is Chairman of the Marine Corps University Foundation. He also serves on the boards of directors of Schering-Plough and General Dynamics, as well as serving on the Board of Advisors for Veterans Direct.

Remarks on Gays Serving in the Military

Mundy was signatory to an open letter delivered to President Barack Obama and Members of Congress expressing support for the 1993 law stating that self-identified homosexuals are not eligible to serve in the military, commonly referred to as "Don't ask, don't tell." The letter said in part, "We believe that imposing this burden on our men and women in uniform would undermine recruiting and retention, impact leadership at all echelons, have adverse effects on the willingness of parents who lend their sons and daughters to military service, and eventually break the All-Volunteer Force." However unlike the 34th Commandant, Gen. James T. Conway, Mundy has said that if the restriction were repealed the troops should not be segregated.

Personal

General Mundy is married and has three children; two sons and a daughter. Both sons are U.S. Marine Corps officers.

Death and Burial

General Carl Epting Mundy, Jr. died on 2 April 2014 at Alexandria, VA. He is buried at Green Hill Cemetery in Waynesville, Haywood County, NC.