Peter Pace

General Peter Pace is a retired United States Marine Corps officer who served as the 16th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, making history as the first Marine officer appointed to this position. Throughout his distinguished four-decade military career, General Pace held multiple four-star assignments, including serving as the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and as the Commander-in-Chief of United States Southern Command.

Commissioned in 1967, Pace was deployed to Vietnam, where he served as a platoon leader. Over the years, his leadership and strategic expertise led to assignments in various critical roles globally, culminating in his appointment as the nation's highest-ranking military officer under President George W. Bush from 2005 to 2007.

General Pace's highly decorated service is marked by numerous national and international awards, including the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Bronze Star with valor, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, reflecting his enduring contributions to national security and global stability.