Thirty-second Commandant,
30 June 1999 - 13 January 2003

James L. Jones was born on 19 December 1943 in Kansas City, Missouri. He graduated in 1966 from the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service with a Bachelor of Science degree, and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps in January 1967. Upon completion of The Basic School in October 1967, he was ordered to the Republic of Vietnam, where he served as a platoon and company commander.

Returning to the United States in December 1968, General Jones served as a company commander both at Camp Pendleton, and later, at Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C. From July 1973 until June 1974, he was a student at the Amphibious Warfare School, Quantico, Virginia. In November 1974, he reported to Okinawa, where he served as the Commander of Company H, 2d Battalion, 9th Marines. In January 1976, General Jones returned to Washington, where he served in the Officer Assignments Section. He remained in Washington as the Marine Corps Liaison Officer to the United States Senate, where he served until July 1984.

He was selected to attend the National War College in Washington, D.C, and following graduation in June 1985, was assigned to command the 3d Battalion, 9th Marines. In August 1987, General Jones returned to Headquarters, Marine Corps, and served as Senior Aide to the Commandant of the Marine Corps. He became the Military Secretary to the Commandant in February 1989. During August 1990, he was assigned as Commanding Officer, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, and participated in Operation Provide Comfort in Northern Iraq and Turkey. He was advanced to brigadier general in April 1992, and assigned during July 1992 as Deputy Director, J-3, U.S. European Command, Stuttgart, Germany. During this tour of duty, he was reassigned as Chief of Staff, Joint Task Force Provide Promise, for operations in Bosnia Herzegovina and Macedonia.

Returning to the United States, he was advanced to the rank of major general in July 1994, and assigned as Commanding General, 2d Marine Division, Marine Forces Atlantic. He served during 1996 as Director, Expeditionary Warfare Division, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. In July 1996, he was promoted to lieutenant general, and in January 1997 was appointed as the Military Assistant to the Secretary of Defense, Washington, D.C.

General Jones was promoted to general 29 June 1999, and assumed duties as the 32nd Commandant of the Marine Corps on 30 June 1999.