President
LtGen G. R. (Ron) Christmas, USMC (Ret)
President and CEO of Marine Corps Heritage Foundation
LtGen Christmas is currently the President and CEO of the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation. He was commissioned into the Marine Corps through the NROTC program at the University of Pennsylvania in 1962. He served in various infantry command and staff assignments as a company grade officer including command of Company H, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines in Vietnam. He was seriously wounded during the battle for Hue City during Tet ’68 and for his actions there was awarded the Navy Cross. Some of his key assignments include CO, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, MCRD Parris Island; CO, 3rd Marines; CG, 9th MEB; CG, 3rd FSSG; CG, I MEF; Director, J-3, USCINCPAC. He retired from the Corps in 1996 after 34 years active duty. His final assignment was Deputy Chief of Staff, Manpower and Reserve Affairs.
From September 1996 until December 2006, as well as being President of the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, he served as a Senior Mentor, MAGTF Staff Training Program; and the Joint Forces Command. Other projects during the period included Adjunct Staff, RAND Corporation; Consultant, Harris Corporation; Member, Board of Advisors, Recruit Military, LLC; Ex-Officio Trustee, Marine Corps University Foundation; and Ex-Officio Governor, Marine Corps Association. With the growth of the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation’s mission and enterprises, Gen Christmas now devotes his full time to these efforts.
LtGen Christmas is married to the former Sherry Lownds. They have 4 children and 12 grandchildren.
