Robert E . Cleary Robert E . Cleary was the tenth Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps , serving in this position between 1983 – 1987 . He was the last Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps to have served in the Korean War . Early life . Robert Cleary was born in Tewksbury , Massachusetts on 2 June 1931 , and graduated from Holyoke Trade High School in May 1949 . Military service . Cleary enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on 24 October 1951 . He underwent recruit training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island , then attended a nine - week Demolition Specialist Course at Schools Battalion , Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune , where he was promoted to private first class . Upon completion of the school , he was assigned as the Battalion Demolition Specialist , Company B , 7th Engineer Battalion at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton . Promoted to corporal , he remained with the 7th Engineer Battalion until April 1953 . Cleary transferred overseas , where he joined the 1st Marine Division in Korea , as a Squad Leader and Right Guide with Company I , 3rd Battalion . While in this assignment , he was promoted to sergeant . Returning from overseas , he reported to the 1st Rifle Company at the Navy and Marine Corps Reserve Training Center , Springfield , Massachusetts . In early 1958 , he returned to Camp Pendleton , for duty as a military police man with the Military Police Company . In May 1958 , he was promoted to staff sergeant , and continued to serve in this assignment until April 1961 , when he transferred to the Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego for duty as a drill instructor . Upon completion of his tour as a drill instructor , Sergeant Major Cleary joined Headquarters and Service Company , 2nd Battalion 5th Marines for duty as a Section Leader , and later , Platoon Sergeant in the 81 mm Motor Platoon . In February 1965 , he transferred to H & S Company , 3rd Battalion , 3rd Marine Division , as a Platoon Sergeant and Platoon Leader . This assignment was followed by his first tour in Vietnam as a Platoon Leader , Company G , 2nd Battalion 1st Marines , where he was promoted to gunnery sergeant . In August 1966 , he transferred to Company F , 2nd Battalion 27th Marines , 5th Marine Division , for duty as Company Gunnery Sergeant . For his combat service in Vietnam , he was awarded the Silver Star , the Navy Commendation Medal with valor device , and two awards of the Purple Heart . He returned to San Diego for a short tour as a drill instructor in August 1967 , at which time he was selected for promotion to first sergeant . He was reassigned to the 27th Marine Regiment as the Company First Sergeant . During March 1968 , he returned to Vietnam , serving as the First Sergeant of Battery C , 1st LAAM Battalion , MACC - 19 , 1st Marine Aircraft Wing . Subsequently , he served as Company First Sergeant of Company G , 28th Marine Regiment . Cleary then reported to H & S Company , 2nd Battalion 7th Marines as the Company First Sergeant , followed by his third tour in Vietnam as the Squadron Sergeant Major of HMM - 165 . Upon his return from overseas in May 1973 , he was assigned to VMA - 223 at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma , where he attained his present grade and served as the Squadron Sergeant Major . In September , he was reassigned to the 2nd LAAM Battalion . He reported to Headquarters Marine Corps in September 1974 for duty as the Battalion Sergeant Major of Marine Security Guard Battalion , followed by duty as Personnel Sergeant Major . His next assignment was as the 3rd Marine Division Sergeant Major in July 1979 , then returned to Marine Security Guard Battalion . On 1 January 1982 , Sergeant Major Cleary was selected as the Sergeant Major of Marine Corps Development and Education Command in Quantico , Virginia . He was selected as the 10th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps on 25 May 1983 , and assumed the post on 28 June 1983 . He retired in 1987 . Awards and honors . His personal decorations include :