George B. Crist obit

Former USCENTCOM Commander, Gen. George B. Crist, Passes Away

 

He was not on the list.

TAMPA, Fla.- U.S. Central Command is saddened to learn of the death of Gen. George B. Crist, United States Marine Corps (Retired), former USCENTCOM Commander. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.

Gen. Crist was the first U.S. Marine appointed to head a unified command, serving as Commander in Chief, USCENTCOM from 1985 until his retirement in 1988.

Gen. Crist was born on January 23, 1931. After graduating cum laude from Villanova University, Crist was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1952. Throughout his career, Gen. Crist had many notable achievements. He was deployed to the Caribbean during the Cuban Missile Crisis, served in Vietnam as advisor to the Vietnamese Joint General Staff, and was aide-de-camp to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In 1985, Crist was promoted to General and assumed command of USCENTCOM.

While at USCENTCOM, Gen. Crist helped run Operation Earnest Will, the escort of reflagged Kuwaiti tankers, Operation Prime Chance, actions against Iranian forces, and Operation Praying Mantis, retaliation for the Iranian Mining of the USS Samuel B. Roberts. Gen. Crist retired in 1988 after more than 36 years of service.

“We mourn the loss of the former USCENTCOM Commander, and we will forever honor his sacrifice and extraordinary leadership. Our prayers are with George’s family, and we will forever remember his selfless service during his time at CENTCOM,” said Gen. Erik Kurilla, USCENTCOM Commander.