Kenneth McLennan General Kenneth McLennan ( May 31 , 1925 – September 20 , 2005 ) was the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps from 1979 to 1981 . In recognition of his distinguished service as Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps and Chief of Staff , the general was presented the Distinguished Service Medal by the Commandant of the Marine Corps upon his retirement on July 1 , 1981 . Biography . Kenneth McLennan was born on May 31 , 1925 , in Vancouver , B . C . , Canada . In 1943 , he graduated from Lowell High School , San Francisco , California . He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of San Francisco in 1948 . He also holds a M . B . A . degree in Transportation Management from the University of California at Los Angeles ( 1961 ) . McLennan enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve in January 1943 and was commissioned a second lieutenant on July 18 , 1945 . He was promoted to first lieutenant in July 1948 , while on inactive duty status and was recalled to active duty in March 1951 . From March to June 1951 , McLennan underwent training at Camp Pendleton , California . He attended the Special Basic Officers School , Quantico , Virginia , from July to November 1951 , and in December began a tour at Marine Corps Recruit Depot , San Diego , California , as a recruit company commander . He was promoted to captain in June 1952 . McLennan participated in combat operations in Korea as the S - 4 Officer , 3rd Battalion , 5th Marine Regiment , 1st Marine Division from January to July 1953 . He later served as Commanding Officer , Company I , 3rd Battalion , 5th Marines and as Assistant S - 3 Officer , 5th Marines . He integrated into the regular Marine Corps in March 1953 . He returned to the United States in February 1954 , and served as Assistant Division Embarkation Officer , 2nd Marine Division , Camp Lejeune , North Carolina until June 1955 , when he was transferred to Salt Lake City , Utah as Inspector - Instructor , 21st Rifle Company , USMCR . He was promoted to major in July 1956 , and in August 1957 , he attended the Amphibious Warfare School , Junior Course , Quantico , graduating in July 1958 . From August 1958 until June 1961 , McLennan served as a Marine Officer Instructor with the Naval Reserve Officer Training Unit , at the University of California at Los Angeles . He was reassigned to Camp Pendleton , in June 1961 , and served as S - 4 , and later as S - 3 Officer , 5th Marines . He also commanded the 3d Battalion , 7th Marines , prior to his transfer to Okinawa in April 1963 , where he served as Commanding Officer , 1st Battalion , 9th Marine Regiment , 3rd Marine Division . He was promoted to lieutenant colonel in July 1963 . Upon his return to the United States he commanded the 3rd Battalion , 5th Marines . General McLennan was then assigned as the Director , Services Division , and later , Head , Warehouse and Traffic Branch , Material Division , Marine Corps Supply Center , Albany , Georgia , from June 1964 through July 1966 . In June 1967 , he completed the Naval War College Newport , Rhode Islandm and was ordered to Headquarters Marine Corps , Washington , D . C . , as Head , General Training Section , Training and Education Branch , G - 3 Division . He was promoted to colonel in July 1968 and assigned as Head , Operations Branch G - 3 Division . He was assigned as Division Inspector , 3rd Marine Division , on Okinawa in December 1969 , and also was Chief of Staff , 11th Marine Expeditionary Brigade . From May to December 1970 , he served in Vietnam as Deputy G - 4 , and later , as Assistant Chief of Staff , G - 4 , III Marine Amphibious Force . He was reassigned in December 1970 as Assistant G - 4 ( Plans Officer ) , Headquarters , Fleet Marine Force , Pacific , and subsequently became Commanding Officer , Camp H . M . Smith , in Hawaii . Following his advancement to brigadier general in September 1972 , General McLennan became Marine Corps Liaison Officer ( OP - 09M ) , in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations , Washington , D . C . He remained in that billet until June 1974 when he became Director , Manpower Plans and Policy Division , Headquarters Marine Corps , Washington , D . C . He was advanced to major general on July 3 , 1975 , and was assigned as the Commanding General , 2nd Marine Division on June 30 , 1976 . He was assigned as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower , Headquarters Marine Corps on July 1 , 1978 . General McLennan assumed duties as the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps and Chief of Staff on July 1 , 1979 . He was promoted to general on July 2 , 1979 . He served in this capacity until his retirement on July 1 , 1981 . While Assistant Commandant , McLennan also served as president of the Marine Corps Association ( the professional association for Marines ) . General McLennan died as a result of lung cancer on September 20 , 2005 at the age of 80 . He was cremated and his ashes scattered at sea . Decorations and awards . General McLennan ' s personal decorations and awards include :