Lt. Gen. Vincent Stewart, USMC passed away April 28th, 2023. Let us honor his accomplishments and valuable contributions to our nation, the Marine Corps, and the world.
“Always speak truth to power, no matter the cost,” Stewart said. “There’s no shortage of opinion, informed or otherwise, in government and elsewhere, about how intelligence analysis should be conducted.” “Unless we are forthright, honest and candid we cannot fulfill our oath.”
Lieutenant General Vincent R. Stewart became the 20th Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency and the Commander, Joint Functional Component Command for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance on 23 January 2015. He formerly served as the Commander, Marine Forces Cyber. Lieutenant General Stewart received his baccalaureate degree from Western Illinois University, Macomb, IL, where he majored in History (1981). He also earned master’s degrees in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College, Newport, RI (1995) and in National Resource Strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, National Defense University, Washington, DC (2002).
His military education includes: The Basic School, Quantico, VA, (1981-82); The Armor Officer Basic Course, Fort Knox, KY, (1982); The Basic Communications Officer Course, Quantico, VA, (1985); The Cryptologic Division Officer’s Course, Washington, DC, (1986); The Amphibious Warfare School, Quantico, VA, (1988-1989); The Naval Command and Staff, Naval War College, Newport, RI, (1994-1995); The School of Advanced Warfighting, Quantico, VA, (1995-1996); and The Industrial College of the Armed Forces, Ft. McNair Washington, DC, (2001-2002).
Lieutenant General Stewart’s principal command tours include: Tank Platoon Leader with Company A, 1st Tank (1982-1983) and Executive Officer, Headquarters and Service Company, 1st Tank Battalion (1984-1985) Camp Pendleton, CA; Company Commander with Company I, Marine Support Battalion, Adak, Alaska, (1986-1988); Company Commander with Headquarters and Service Company, 2d Radio Battalion (1989-1990); Company Commander with Company E, Marine Support Battalion, Misawa Japan (1992- 1994); Commanding Officer, 1st Intelligence Battalion, Camp Pendleton, CA, (1999-2001); and Commanding Officer, Headquarters Battalion, 2d Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, NC, (2006-2008). His principal staff assignments include: Project Officer, Light Armored Vehicle, Anti-Tank, Twenty-Nine Palms, CA, (1983-1984); Assistant Signals Intelligence Officer, 4th Marine Expeditionary Brigade, (1990-1991); Assistant Operations Officer, 2d Radio Battalion, Camp Lejeune, NC, (1991-1992); Chief, Command, Control, Communications and Intelligence Officer, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force, Experimental, Quantico, VA, (1996-1999); Deputy Director, Intelligence Policy, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense, C3I (20012002); Deputy G-2, Marine Forces Central Command (2002); Senior Intelligence Planner, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence (2002-2005); Assistant Chief of Staff, Intelligence, Marine Corps Forces Command, Norfolk, VA, (2005-2006); Assistant Chief of Staff, Intelligence, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, NC, (2008-2009); and Director of Intelligence, HQMC, Washington, DC, (2009-2013).
Lieutenant General Stewart’s military decorations include: the Defense Superior Service Medal; the Legion of Merit with one gold star; the Bronze Star; the Meritorious Service Medal with one gold star; the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, with two gold stars; the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal; the Combat Action Ribbon; the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal; and various unit awards.
In the early 1990’s LtGen Vince Stewart, a captain at the time, was a very astute and conscientious Marine. I was a Major at the time when the first Gulf War started. Vince was in the Persian Gulf as a member of the amphibious assault force. One of my fellow Majors who was with him in the Gulf came back with a very laudatory impression of then Captain Stewart. ” He will be a general someday,” he said. Prophetic words were fulfilled. I believe LtGen Vincent Stewart was the first cryptologic officer in the Corp’s history to become a flag officer, aside from former CMC, General Al Gray, who had a stint in that capacity. Vincent Stewart, however, was an intelligence officer for the majority of his career. I am saddened by his passing so soon after retirement, as there were many other things he could have added to the security of our nation. God bless his family and his memory. Semper Fidelis