WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen announced that the President has nominated Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Peter Pace for appointment to the grade of general and assignment as Commander-in-Chief, United States Southern Command.
Pace currently commands more than 92,000 Marines and Sailors as the Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Atlantic; Commanding General, Fleet Marine Forces, Atlantic; Commander, Marine Corps Bases, Atlantic; Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Europe; Commanding General, Fleet Marine Forces Europe; and Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South in Miami.
If confirmed by the Senate, Pace will succeed Marine General Charles E. Wilhelm who will retire later this Fall.
Pace was born Nov. 5, 1945 in Brooklyn, N.Y., and raised in Teaneck, New Jersey. He was commissioned in June 1967 following graduation from the United States Naval Academy and holds a masters degree in Business Administration from George Washington University (1972).
Pace has served in a variety of staff and command tours. His first assignment was a rifle platoon leader and assistant operations officer, 2d Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division in the Republic of Vietnam; other assignments include Executive Officer to the Assistant Chief of Staff, C/J/G3, United Nations Command/Combined Forces Command/United States Forces Korea/Eighth United States Army; Commanding Officer, Marine Barracks Washington, D.C.; Deputy Commander, Marine Forces, Somalia; Deputy Commander, Joint Task Force Somalia; and Director for Operations (J-3), Joint Staff, Washington, D.C.
Pace attended Harvard University in the program for Senior Executives in National and International Security.
Pace's personal decorations include: Defense Distinguished Service Medal; Defense Superior Service Medal; the Legion of Merit; Bronze Star Medal with Combat V; the Defense Meritorious Service Medal; Meritorious Service Medal with gold star; Navy Commendation Medal with Combat V; Navy Achievement Medal with gold star; and the Combat Action Ribbon.