SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
The Congress finds the following: 
(1) James N. Mattis was born in Pullman, 
Washington, on September 8, 1950. 
(2) James N. Mattis graduated from Columbia 
High School in 1968 and began his military career 
the following year, enlisting in the United States 
Marine Corps Reserve. 
(3) In 1971, James N. Mattis earned a Bach-
elor of Arts in history from Central Washington 
State College. He earned a Master of Arts in inter-
national security affairs from National Defense Uni-
versity’s National War College in 1994. 
(4) On January 1, 1972, James N. Mattis was 
commissioned as a second lieutenant through the 
Marine Corps Platoon Leaders Course. As a lieuten-
ant, he commanded infantry platoons and, as a cap-
tain, commanded both rifle and weapons companies 
in the 1st Marine Brigade in Hawaii. Promoted to 
major, he served as battalion officer at the Naval 
Academy Preparatory School in Newport, Rhode Is-
land, and commanded Recruiting Station Portland, 
Oregon. 
(5) During the Gulf War, James N. Mattis 
served as lieutenant colonel and commanded the 1st 
Battalion, 7th Marines. Promoted to colonel, he 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
03:53 Nov 01, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4867.IH
H4867
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
commanded the 7th Marine Regiment at Twentynine 
Palms, California, and served as the Executive Sec-
retary to the Department of Defense for Secretaries 
William Perry and Bill Cohen. 
(6) Following the September 11, 2001, attacks 
on America, then-Brigadier General James N. 
Mattis led Task Force 58 through a series of oper-
ations in southern Afghanistan, making him the first 
United States Marine Corps officer to command a 
Naval Task Force. 
(7) James N. Mattis, as major general, com-
manded the 1st Marine Division during the 2003 in-
vasion of Iraq. He continued in this role until 2004, 
when he was promoted to lieutenant general and as-
sumed command of the Marine Corps Combat Devel-
opment Command. The Pentagon announced on 
May 31, 2006, that he was chosen to take command 
of the I Marine Expeditionary Force, based out of 
Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, and all Ma-
rines assigned to the United States Central Com-
mand. 
(8) James N. Mattis relinquished command of 
the I Marine Expeditionary Force on November 5, 
2007. Four days later, on November 9, 2007, he 
was promoted to four-star general to command 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
03:53 Nov 01, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4867.IH
H4867
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
United States Joint Forces Command (JFCOM), 
concurrently serving as NATO’s Supreme Allied 
Commander Transformation (SACT). He trans-
ferred his role as SACT on September 9, 2009, 
while continuing to command JFCOM. 
(9) After a recommendation from Defense Sec-
retary Robert Gates, James N. Mattis was formally 
nominated as commander of United States Central 
Command by President Barack Obama, effective 
July 21, 2010. 
(10) United States Central Command an-
nounced the resignation of James N. Mattis on April 
27, 2012, and his retirement from the United States 
Marine Corps was finalized on June 1, 2013. 
(11) On December 1, 2016, President Donald 
Trump announced that he would nominate James N. 
Mattis for United States Secretary of Defense. He 
was confirmed by the United States Senate on Janu-
ary 20, 2017, and served until December 31, 2018. 
(12) James N. Mattis, prior to and since his re-
tirement from the United States Marine Corps, has 
been awarded many awards and commendations, in-
cluding— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
03:53 Nov 01, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4867.IH
H4867
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
(A) the Center for National Policy ‘‘Ed-
mund S. Muskie Distinguished Public Service 
Award’’ (2009); 
(B) the Atlantic Council ‘‘Distinguished 
Military Leadership Award’’ (2010); 
(C) the World Affairs Council of Greater 
Hampton Roads ‘‘Ryan C. Crocker Global Cit-
izen of the Year’’ Award (2013); 
(D) the Marine Corps University Founda-
tion ‘‘Semper Fidelis Award’’ (2014); 
(E) the Washington Policy Center ‘‘Cham-
pion of Freedom Award’’ (2016); 
(F) the ‘‘Dwight D. Eisenhower Distin-
guished Service Award’’ (2019); 
(G) the OSS Society ‘‘William J. Donovan 
Award’’ (2019); and 
(H) the Washington Policy Center ‘‘Co-
lumbia Award’’ (2019). 
(13) James N. Mattis is a native of Washington 
State and devoted resident of the Pacific Northwest. 
He exemplifies a deep love and commitment for his 
hometown of Richland, Washington, and the greater 
Tri-Cities through his enthusiastic involvement in 
the community and long-time volunteer service with 
the Tri-Cities Food Bank. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
03:53 Nov 01, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4867.IH
H4867
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
(14) James N. Mattis is the published author 
of ‘‘Call Sign Chaos: Learning to Lead’’. 
(15) James N. Mattis demonstrates the Amer-
ican principles of hard work, patriotism, and integ-
rity. His distinguished military and civilian service 
and his devotion to defending and upholding the 
Constitution are an inspiration to all Americans. 
SEC. 3. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL. 
(a) PRESENTATION AUTHORIZED.—The Speaker of 
the House of Representatives and the President pro tem-
pore of the Senate shall make appropriate arrangements 
for the presentation, on behalf of Congress, of a gold 
medal of appropriate design to General James N. Mattis, 
in recognition of his distinguished military career, his 
steadfast moral character and patriotism, and his 
unyielding devotion to the protection of this Nation. 
(b) DESIGN AND STRIKING.—For the purposes of the 
presentation referred to in subsection (a), the Secretary 
of the Treasury (referred to in this Act as the ‘‘Sec-
retary’’) shall strike a gold medal with suitable emblems, 
devices, and inscriptions to be determined by the Sec-
retary. 
(c) SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Following the award of the 
gold medal under subsection (a), the gold medal 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
03:53 Nov 01, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4867.IH
H4867
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS