- SURNAME
Rollings
- FORENAME
Wayne E.
- UNIT
1 Recon Bn (1 MarDiv) (1 Force Recon Company,attached)
- RANK
First Lieutenant
- NUMBER
0-107099
- AWARD
Navy Cross,Silver Star (x2),Bronze Star with V device
- PLACE
South Vietnam 1969
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
from Elloree,South Carolina
born 11.1.1941
WIA 18.9.1969
Major General Rollings began his career in the Marines by enlisting in 1960. After completing recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, Rollings served as an infantryman in the Fleet Marine Force in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and Okinawa, Japan. In 1963, he completed Drill Instructor School, also at Parris Island, and served there as a Drill Instructor until he completed his enlistment in 1965. Rollings enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserve and enrolled at the University of Georgia.
In 1968, Rollings graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in history and following attendance at Officer Candidate School was commissioned as a second lieutenant. He attended The Basic School for 6 months at Marine Corps Base Quantico (a school he would later command) where new lieutenants learn the art and science of being an officer of Marines. Following graduation, he served as a platoon commander in 1st Force Reconnaissance Company on a deployment to South Vietnam.
After returning from Vietnam in 1970, Rollings continued to distinguish himself in the Marine Corps. His next assignment, in Kaneohe Bay Marine Corps Air Station, Hawaii, was as a rifle platoon commander and then rifle company commander in the 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines. In 1972, he deployed again to Vietnam, serving as an infantry battalion advisor to the South Vietnamese Marine Division. Upon his return the next year, he attended Amphibious Warfare School and then commanded a staff platoon at The Basic School.
In 1974, he transferred to the Middle East and served a tour of duty with the United Nations Observer Team. Upon completion of that assignment, he reported to the 2d Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, N.C. in 1975, where he was assigned as a Rifle Company Commander, and then as the Battalion Operations and Training Officer of 1st Battalion, 6th Marines. In 1977, he was reassigned to 2d Force Reconnaissance Company where he became the Commanding Officer.
As a major, he attended the Armed Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Va., and upon graduation in 1980 was assigned duty as Marine Officer Instructor, University of South Carolina. In 1982, he returned to Quantico to serve as the Commanding Officer, Headquarters and Service Battalion, The Basic School, and later, as the Tactics Group Chief. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel in July 1983.
From 1984 to 1985, General Rollings attended the National War College, in Washington, D.C., and upon graduation returned to the 2d Marine Division, where he served as the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3, Operations Officer. He was then reassigned within the Division and served as the Commanding Officer, 3d Battalion, 4th Marines from 1986 to 1988.
Following his selection to colonel in 1988, General Rollings reported to the Joint Staff, The Pentagon, for a tour as a Strategy Branch Chief, J-5. While a member of the Joint Staff, in 1989, he completed the Harvard University Senior Executive Fellows Program. In June 1991, General Rollings became the Commanding Officer, 3d Marine Regiment (Rein), 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade, MCAS, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. He was advanced to brigadier general on June 28, and assumed assignment as the Commanding General, Marine Corps Base, Camp S.D. Butler/Deputy Commanding General, Marine Corps Bases, Japan, on July 14, 1993. General Rollings was advanced to his present grade on February 14, 1995. He assumed his previous assignment on May 26, 1995 as the Commanding General, III Marine Expeditionary Force/Commander, Marine Corps Bases Japan.
Last edited by a moderator:
