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First Name: Joseph

Last Name: Went

Birthplace: New Milford, CT, USA

Gender: Male

Branch: Marines (present)



Middle Name: J.



Date of Birth: 16 September 1930



Rank: General

Years Served: 1952-1990
Joseph J. Went

   
Engagements:
•  Vietnam War (1960 - 1973)

Biography:

Joseph J. Went
General, U.S. Marine Corps

Joseph J. Went was born on 16 September 1930 in New Milford, CT. In 1953, he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry from the University of Connecticut. He received a master's degree in Business Administration from George Washington University in 1963, and graduated with distinction from the Naval War College in June 1972.

Marine Corps Career

Went entered the Marine Corps in July 1952 and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in December 1952. Following completion of The Basic School in June 1953, he underwent flight training at Naval Air Station Pensacola. FL. Went was promoted to First Lieutenant on 18 August 1954, and was designated a Naval Aviator a month later.

He was promoted to Captain on 1 July 1956; to Major on 1 November 1963; to Lieutenant Colonel on 1 October 1967; and to Colonel on 1 July 1974. During these years, he served with Marine Attack, Reconnaissance, Transport and Fighter Squadrons. He commanded Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 12; Marine Attack Squadron 214; Marine Aircraft Group 24; 3rd Force Service Support Group; and the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. He also had extensive experience in operational and joint planning, financial management and logistics.

Colonel Went assumed duty as Chief of Staff, 1st Marine Brigade, Hawaii, in April 1976. While serving in this capacity, he was selected in February 1978 for promotion to Brigadier General. He assumed duty as Deputy Fiscal Director of the Marine Corps on 1 April and was advanced to Brigadier General on 1 August 1978. In June 1980, he was assigned duty as Commanding General, 3rd Force Service Support Group (Rein), FMF, Pacific, Okinawa, Japan. He was advanced to Major General on 2 June 1982 and assigned duty as Commanding General, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, FMF, Pacific, Okinawa, Japan. Went served in this capacity until May 1983. On 6 June 1983, he was assigned duty as the Deputy Commander, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, Camp H. M. Smith, Hawaii. During June 1984, Major General Went reported to Headquarters Marine Corps where he was assigned as Deputy Chief of Staff for Reserve Affairs. On 6 June 1985, he became Deputy Chief of Staff for Installations and Logistics and was promoted to Lieutenant General on 1 August 1985.

Went was appointed to the four-star rank of General and reassigned as the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps on 1 July 1988. He assumed additional duties as the Chief of Staff on 6 October 1988 and served in both these capacities until 31 July 1990.

General Went retired from the Marine Corps on 1 August 1990 after 38 years of military service.

Medals and Awards

Legion of Merit w/ Valor Device
Air Medal w/ Strike/Flight Numeral "3"
Navy Unit Commendation
Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal
National Defense Service Medal w/ 1 Service Star
Vietnam Service Medal w/ 3 Service Stars
Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation
Vietnam Campaign Medal

Badges

Naval Aviator Badge

In Retirement

General Went is on the board of directors of the Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) which provides support services to military service members and their families.



Honoree ID: 429   Created by: MHOH

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