John Admire

Admire was commissioned in the United States Marine Corps as a second lieutenant after graduation from University of Oklahoma in 1967. He graduated from The Basic School at Marine Corps Base Quantico and served as Infantry Platoon Leader in Republic of Vietnam with 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines. He later became an Infantry Battalion Advisor to the Vietnamese Marine Corps.^[1] He served as company commander in 2nd Marine Division. Colonel Admire served as commanding officer of 3rd Marine Regiment/ Task Force Taro during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm.

His staff assignments include Marine detachment, Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba; Training Officer for the 1st Marine Division; Marine Corps Legislative Liaison to the United States Congress; Headquarters Marine Corps, Washington, D.C.; Senior White House Military Aide for President Jimmy Carter; branch chief for the Operations Directorate at the United States European Command Headquarters in Germany; and Vice Director for Strategic Plans and Policy Joint Staff at the Pentagon, in Washington, D.C.^[2] Upon promotion to major general, Admire served as Commanding General, 1st Marine Division. Admire retired after 33 years of service in 1998. Author: Darker Than Dark, a story of the Vietnam War and four young Marines, 2015.