Sgt. Maj. Robert E. Cleary, the 10th sergeant major of the Marine Corps, died Feb. 11, the Marine Corps posted on its Facebook page. He was 86.
Cleary was the last Korean War veteran to serve as sergeant major of the Marine Corps, a post he assumed on June 28, 1983.
Born in Tewksbury, Massachusetts, in 1931, Cleary enlisted in the Marine Corps on Oct. 24, 1951. His extensive career after recruit training took him to Korea, three tours in Vietnam and positions throughout the United States (read Cleary’s full biography).
His personal decorations consist of the Silver Star Medal; three Air Medals; Navy Commendation Medal with Combat “V,” and gold star in lieu of a second award; Navy Achievement Medal; two Purple Hearts; and the Combat Action Ribbon.
