United States Marine Corps

United States Marine Corps (Ret.) Major General Harold G. Glasgow


At the time of his retirement, Major General Harold G. Glasgow was the Commanding General, Marine Corps Recruit Depot/Commanding General, Eastern Recruiting Region, Parris Island, South Carolina. General Glasgow received his B.S. degree in Physical Education from the University of Alabama (1951), and also holds an M.S. degree in International Affairs from George Washington University (1972). on Sept. 26, 1951, he was drafted into the Marine Corps and attained the rank of staff sergeant prior to being commissioned a second lieutenant in March 1953 while in Korea. Upon completing The Basic School, Quantico, Va., in October 1953, he was assigned to the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C., where he served as the Staff Secretary. He was transferred to the 1st Marine Brigade, Kanoehe Bay, Hawaii, in August 1956 and served as Executive Officer, Company "B", 1st Battalion, 4th Marines. Shortly after, he was assigned the task as coach of the Hawaii Marines Baseball Team. Reassigned to Camp Lejeune, N.C., in 1958, he continued his endeavor in the athletic field as coach of the Camp Lejeune Marines in 1958, 1959 and 1960. In December 1960, he was ordered to the 3d Marine Division on Okinawa and assumed command of Company "A", 3d Reconnaissance Battalion. Returning to the U.S. in January 1962, he was assigned to Inspector-Instructor duty with the 40th Rifle Company, USMCR, Lubbock, Texas. He was transferred to Quantico in April 1965 and attended the Command and Staff College. Following graduation in June 1966, he returned to Camp Lejeune, where his assignments included: Executive officer, 2d Battalion, 2d Marines; Staff Secretary and Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3 (Operations). In July 1968, he was ordered for duty in Vietnam with the 1st Marine Division and served as Commanding Officer, 2d Battalion, 1st Marines. He returned to the United States in August 1969 and was assigned duty at Headquarters Marine Corps, where he served as Head, General Officer/Colonel/Administrative Assignment Section, serving in this capacity until he attended the National War College, Fort McNair, Washington, D.C., in August 1971. From June 1972 until March 1975, he was assigned as the Executive Assistant to the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps. Following reassignment to the 2d Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, N.C., he served as the Commanding officer, 6th Marines, during the period May 7, 1975 until June 3, 1976, with collateral duty as Commanding officer, 36th Marine Amphibious Unit from June 1, 1975 to Jan. 10, 1976. He was assigned duty as the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3, on June 14, 1976. Following his advancement to brigadier general on Feb. 28, 1978, he assumed duty as Commanding General, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center on march 20, 1978. On April 30, 1980, General Glasgow assumed command of the Combined Arms Command as a concurrent duty. He assumed command of the 7th Marine Amphibious Brigade on May 16, 1980. General Glasgow was advanced to major general on April 10, 1981, and assumed duty as the Deputy for Development/Director, Development Center, Marine Corps Development and Education Command, Quantico, Va., on May 5, 1981. On June 1, 1982, General Glasgow was assigned duty as the Director, Operations Division, Plans, Policies and Operations Department, Headquarters Marine Corps. In June 1984, he was assigned duty as the Commanding General, III Marine Amphibious Force/Commanding General, 3d Marine Division, FMF, Pacific, Okinawa. He served in this capacity until he assumed his current assignment on June 30, 1986. General Glasgow's awards include: the Legion of Merit with Combat "V"; the Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V'; Meritorious Service Medal; Combat Action Ribbon; Navy Unit Commendation; National Defense Service Medal with one bronze star; Korean Service Medal with three bronze stars; Vietnam Service medal with four bronze stars; Korean order of military Merit (EMARANG); Korean Presidential Unit Citation; Republic of Vietnam meritorious Unit Commendation; Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm; United Nations Service medal; and the Vietnam Campaign Medal. (Updated July 11, 2003 HQMC)