LtGen Frederick McCorkle, USMC (ret.)

Fred McCorkle retired from the United States Marine Corps on October 1, 2001. Fred last served as the Deputy Commandant for Aviation, Headquarters, Marine Corps, Washington, D.C. He is currently serving on the Board of Directors and as a Senior Advisor for GKN Aerospace Services. He, additionally serves on the Rolls-Royce North America Board of Directors, and is a member of the Board of Directors of Lord Corporation. Fred also serves on two tax-exempt charity foundation boards: the Navy and Marine Association and the Marine Corps-Law Enforcement Foundation.

He was born on 9 November 1944 in San Francisco, California, and was raised in Harriman, Tennessee. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from East Tennessee State University in 1966 and a Masters in Administration from Pepperdine University in 1979. After completion of Officer Candidates School and The Basic School in Quantico, Virginia (1967), he attended Naval Flight School, Pensacola, Florida, and was designated a Naval Aviator in January, 1969. He served in Viet Nam with HMM-262 during 1969-1970, and flew over 1,500 combat missions. Throughout his career, he accumulated over 6,500 flight hours in over 55 different series of aircraft.

Operational assignments included billets as Commanding Officer, Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1), (1986-1988); Head of Operations, First Marine Aircraft Wing, Okinawa, Japan (1988-1989); Head of Operations Second Marine Aircraft Wing, Cherry Point, North Carolina (1989-1990); and as Commanding Officer, Marine Aircraft Group Twenty Nine (MAG-29), Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS), New River, North Carolina (1990-1992). As a general officer, he served as Commander, Marine Corps Air Bases Eastern Area and Commanding General, MCAS, Cherry Point, North Carolina (1993-1996). He, additionally, served as the Commanding General, Third Marine Aircraft Wing, MCAS, El Toro, California (1996-1998). Fred assumed the duties as Deputy Commandant for Aviation on 28 June 1998 and was advanced to the grade of Lieutenant General on 21 August 1998.

Military schools included: The Basic School, Quantico, Virginia (1967); Naval Flight School, Pensacola, Florida (1967-1969); Marine Corps Command and Staff College, Quantico, Virginia (1979-1980); and the National War College, Fort McNair, Washington, D.C. (1984-1985).

Personal decorations included: the Distinguished Service Medal; The Legion of Merit with three gold stars in lieu of second through fourth awards; the Distinguished Flying Cross with gold star in lieu of second award; the Purple Heart; the Air Medal with Single Mission Award and 76 Strike/Flight Awards; Navy Commendation Medal with Combat “V”; and the Navy Achievement Medal.