General Joseph F. Dunford, Jr., USMC (Ret.)
It is with deep respect and appreciation that the Naval Order of the United States is proud to announce that General Joseph Francis Dunford Jr., USMC (Ret.) has been selected to receive the Order’s Distinguished Sea Service Award for 2022.
General Dunford was born on December 23, 1955, in Boston, MA and raised in Quincy, MA. He received his bachelor’s degree from St. Michael’s College in 1977 and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the Marine Corps at the same time. During his 42 year career of active service in the Corps, he commanded at platoon, company, battalion, regiment, MEF and International Security Assistance Force levels, as well as serving at the Assistant Commandant, the 36th Commandant of the Marine Corps and the 19th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He is the only Marine to have served in the latter 3 capacities.
His additional academic credentials include graduation from the US Army War College and Master’s degrees from Georgetown University (government) and Tufts University (international relations). He retired from active service after serving two terms as CJCS (2015-2019). His senior awards include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal (2), and the Legion of Merit with 'V' for Valor, together with many campaign medals and honorary allied service recognitions.
The Award was presented in October at the Naval Order Congress for 2022 in Alexandria, Virginia.