In Memoriam, Gen. Crist, 1st Marine Commander of CENTCOM, Dies > United States Marine Corps Flagship > Show News

The Marine Corps remembers the legacy of General George Brainard Crist who passed away on July 26 in Beaufort, SC

Gen. Crist was born in Hartford, Connecticut, on January 23, 1931. He attended Villanova University and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps in 1952. He retired in 1988.

During his 36 years of service, Gen. Crist served in all three Marine divisions and several major conflicts, including the Korean War, the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Vietnam War. He held key positions at every level, including White House Aide, Assistant Chief of Staff and Battalion Commander.

“His two legacies were really being the first Marine to lead a joint command and Operation Earnest Will.” David B. Crist, son of General Crist

Gen. Crist brought a wealth of experience and knowledge, particularly in joint operations, which led him to become commander of U.S. Central Command – the first Marine general ever to be named combatant commander.

“His two legacies were really becoming the first Marine to lead a unified command and Operation Earnest Will,” said David B. Crist, Gen. Crist’s son and executive director of the Joint History and Research Office, Office of the Director, Joint Staff. “Operation Earnest Will was our first sustained military operation in the Middle East that culminated in the largest surface deployment of the Navy since World War II.”

His innovative leadership style and willingness to collaborate while commanding U.S. Central Command set the precedent for the modern, collaborative way of waging war through Combatant Commands. The success of Operation Earnest Will was crucial to maintaining free trade in the Persian Gulf.

General Crist’s vision during Operation Earnest Will laid the foundation for later joint operations and his impact lives on in modern military leaders.