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James Mattis
United States general and secretary of defense
Quick Facts
- Byname:
- Mad Dog
- Born:
- September 8, 1950, Pullman, Washington, U.S. (age 74)
- On the Web:
- PBS - James Mattis on why he left the Trump administration but won’t criticize it (Dec. 20, 2024)
James Mattis (born September 8, 1950, Pullman, Washington, U.S.) is a U.S. Marine Corps general who served as head of Central Command (Centcom; 2010–13) and who was later secretary of defense (2017–18) in the cabinet of U.S. Pres. Donald Trump. Mattis enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1969 and attended Central Washington University as part of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program. He earned a bachelor’s degree in 1971 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant the following year. He received a number of small unit commands during his time as a first lieutenant and later as a captain. ...(100 of 1046 words)