Fred McCorkle

 

Lieutenant General (Retired)(USMC)

Fred McCorkle

Raised in Harriman, TN, Lt Gen (Ret) Fred McCorkle graduated from East Tennessee State University in 1966 and completed Officer Candidate School the following year before attending The Basic School and Naval Flight School, and being designated a Naval Aviator in January 1969.  Flying more than 1500 combat missions in Vietnam, he would eventually accumulate over 6500 flight hours in more than 60 different series of aircraft.

During a distinguished career spanning 35 years, he served throughout the United States and overseas, to include numerous key command assignments.  From 1996-1998 he led more than 17,000 Marines as Commanding General of the Third Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Corps Air Station, El Toro, California – the largest aircraft wing in the Corps.  Assuming duties as Deputy Commandant for Aviation in June of 1998, he was advanced to the grade of lieutenant general two months later. 

Lt Gen (Ret) McCorkle is a graduate of the Marine Corps Test Pilot School, the Marine Corps Command and Staff College, and the National War College; he also earned a master’s degree from Pepperdine University.  He is the recipient of numerous military decorations, including the Distinguished Service Medal; the Legion of Merit with three Gold Stars; the Distinguished Flying Cross with Gold Star; the Purple Heart; the Air Medal with Single Mission Award and 76 Strike/Flight Awards; the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat “V” device; and the Navy Achievement Medal.

Having retired from the United States Marine Corps in 2001, he currently serves on the board of directors and as a senior advisor for GKN Aerospace Services.  He is also on the board of directors for a number of corporations - including Rolls-Royce North America, JURA Corporation, Lord Corporation, and Atlas Air World Wide Holdings, Inc. – and for several tax-exempt charity foundations.  He has been married (since June 1966) to the former Kathy Schwartz of Johnson City, Tennessee.