Terrence R. Dake
General, U.S. Marine Corps

Terrance R. Dake was born on 22 July 1944 in Omaha, NE. He was raised in the Missouri Ozarks. He earned undergraduate degrees from the College of the Ozarks and the University of Arkansas. He holds a Master of Arts degree from Pepperdine University. He was commissioned a second lieutenant upon graduation from Officer Candidate School in October 1966. Dake was designated a Naval Aviator at Naval Air Station Pensacola, FL, on 25 January 1968.

Dake logged more than 6,000 flight hours in military aircraft. Significant flying tours include a combat tour in Vietnam in 1968-69 flying CH-53A helicopters; Commanding Officer of Marine Helicopter Squadron One, designated as the President's helicopter pilot, 1983-85; Commanding General of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, July 1995 - July 1996. General Dake has flown helicopters in every aircraft wing in the Marine Corps. Additionally, he served as the Assistant Chief of Staff of Operations, G-3, for the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing in Desert Shield and Desert Storm, the largest aircraft wing ever fielded in combat by the Marine Corps.

Dake served as the Director of Joint Training and Doctrine with the Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Atlantic Command from July 1987 - July 1990.

Promoted to Brigadier General in March 1992, Dake's assignments as a general officer were: Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff of Aviation; Inspector General of the Marine Corps; Deputy Commanding General, Marine Corps Combat Development Command; Commanding General, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and Deputy Chief of Staff for Aviation.

Dake was advanced to the rank of General and assigned as the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps on 5 September 1998.

General Dake retired from the Marine Corps on 7 September 2000.

Medals and Awards

Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit w/ 1 Award Star
Air Medal w/ Valor Device, Strike/Flight Numeral "31"
Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal
Combat Action Ribbon
Navy Presidential Unit Citation
Navy Unit Commendation
Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation
National Defense Service Medal w/ 1 Service Star
Vietnam Service Medal w/ 4 Service Stars
Southwest Asia Service Medal
Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon
Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/ Bronze Star
Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation
Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Citation
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)

Badges

Naval Aviator Badge