Keith J. Stalder Explained

Keith J. Stalder
Birth Place:Venezuela
Placeofburial Label:Place of burial
Allegiance:United States of America
Serviceyears:1973–2010
Rank:Lieutenant General
Branch:United States Marine Corps
Commands:VMFA-531
3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade
Training and Education Command
II Marine Expeditionary Force
Marine Forces Pacific
Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One
Battles:Cold War
Operation Enduring Freedom
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Awards:Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Defense Superior Service Medal (2)
Legion of Merit
Meritorious Service Medal
Air Medal
Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2)

Lieutenant General Keith J. Stalder is a retired United States Marine Corps general, who last commanded the United States Marine Corps Forces Pacific from August 22, 2008, to September 2, 2010.

Biography

Keith Stalder was born in Venezuela and grew up in Alaska. A 1984 graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, he holds a master's degree in Aeronautics. He is also a graduate of Marine Corps Command and Staff College, the Armed Forces Staff College, and the NATO Defense College in Rome, Italy.

He has flown the F-4 Phantom II and the F/A-18 Hornet with VMFA-333, VMFA-235, VMFA-115, the Navy's VFA-125, VMFA-531 and Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1). He also served at Headquarters, European Command, Stuttgart, Germany as the Operations Division Chief for the military-to-military contact program for Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. He led the Marine Corps' F/A-18 Hornet Introduction Team (HIT) in the early 1980s, commanded VMFA-531 and MAWTS-1 and was the deputy director for Plans and Policy, United States Central Command, during Operation Enduring Freedom.

Stalder also previously served as the Commanding General, 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade[1] and Deputy Commanding General, I Marine Expeditionary Force, in Operation Iraqi Freedom I. Later, he became the Wing Commander, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing during a second tour in the Iraq war[2] [3] and

Stalder commanded the Training and Education Command starting in 2005.[4] He relinquished command to MajGen George J. Flynn on July 21, 2006.[5] In 2006, Stalder become Commanding General of the II Marine Expeditionary Force, and relinquished command to LtGen Dennis J. Hejlik on July 25, 2008.[6]

On February 8, 2008, Stalder was nominated for appointment as the commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific; commanding general, Fleet Marine Forces Pacific; and commander, Marine Corps Bases Pacific, and for reappointment to the rank of lieutenant general.[7] He assumed command on August 23, 2008.[8] [9] He relinquished command and retired on September 2, 2010.

Decorations

His personal decorations include:

Naval Aviator Badge
1st RowNavy Distinguished Service MedalDefense Superior Service Medal w/ 1 oak leaf cluster
2nd RowLegion of MeritMeritorious Service MedalAir Medal with 2 Strike/Flight awardsNavy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal w/ 1 award star
3rd RowNavy and Marine Corps Achievement MedalNavy Presidential Unit CitationJoint Meritorious Unit AwardNavy Unit Commendation
4th RowNavy Meritorious Unit CommendationNational Defense Service Medal w/ 2 service starsIraq Campaign MedalGlobal War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
5th RowGlobal War on Terrorism Service MedalKorea Defense Service MedalNavy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon w/ 7 service starsNavy & Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon w/ 1 service star

Notes

  1. Web site: Commando's general speaks. https://archive.today/20120805151823/http://www.marines.mil/units/marforpac/imef/Pages/2003/Commandoand%2039;s%20general%20speaks.aspx. dead. August 5, 2012. Cpl. Walker. Kyle J.. May 3, 2003. United States Marine Corps. 2008-10-18.
  2. Web site: 3rd MAW changes commanding generals in Iraq. https://archive.today/20120805054412/http://www.marines.mil/units/marforpac/imef/3rdmaw/Pages/2004/3rd%20MAW%20changes%20commanding%20generals%20in%20Iraq.aspx. dead. August 5, 2012. SSgt White Jr.. Houston F.. May 29, 2004. United States Marine Corps. 2008-10-18.
  3. Web site: 2007-01-11 . Aviation Continues to Aid Fallujah Mission . Jim Garamone . DefenseLINK News . . December 14, 2004 . https://web.archive.org/web/20061228132945/http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Dec2004/n12142004_2004121411.html . 2006-12-28 . dead .
  4. Web site: 3rd MAW commanding general relinquishes reins. https://archive.today/20120805071821/http://www.marines.mil/units/mciwest/mcasmiramar/Pages/2005/3rd%20MAW%20commanding%20general%20relinquishes%20reins;.aspx. dead. August 5, 2012. Cpl. Teslevich. Jonathan K.. August 5, 2005. United States Marine Corps. 2008-10-18.
  5. Web site: 2007-01-11. TECOM change of command. LCpl. Travis J. Crewdson. Quantico Sentry. Marine Corps Base Quantico, United States Marine Corps. August 3, 2006.
  6. News: 2008-08-23 . II MEF Change Of Command . Marine Corps Gazette . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20081122012352/http://mca-marines.org/gazette/2mef_coc.asp . November 22, 2008 .
  7. News: 2008-08-23 . Military News: General Officer Announcements . February 8, 2008 . The Conservative Voice . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080213172434/http://www.theconservativevoice.com/article/30711.html . February 13, 2008.
  8. Web site: 2008-08-23 . New commander for Marine Forces Pacific . August 23, 2008 . Cole, William . The Honolulu Advertiser . MarineCorpsTimes.com . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120213204824/http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2008/08/gns_newcommander_082308/ . February 13, 2012.
  9. Official Marien Corps Biography, 2008.

References