John J. Sullivan, Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps (Retired)

John J. Sullivan was born in Stamford, Connecticut.  He received his secondary education in Colorado and California public schools and graduated from the University of Southern California in 1966.  He was commissioned a second lieutenant through the Platoon Leaders Course.  After completing The Basic School in Quantico, Virginia, he reported to flight training in Pensacola, Florida.  Designated a Naval Aviator in January 1968, he trained in the UH-1E helicopter at Marine Corps Auxiliary Air Field (MCAAF) Camp Pendleton, California.  May 1968, he was on his way to the Western Pacific and served as a helicopter gunship pilot with VMO-6 in the Republic of Vietnam.  First Lieutenant Sullivan flew over 1000 combat missions and was awarded three Distinguished Flying Crosses and the Purple Heart while operating from Quang Tri Combat Base in Northern I Corps.  Upon the completion of his thirteen-month combat tour, he was transferred to Marine Corps Auxiliary Landing Field Futema, Okinawa in May 1969.  During his tour with Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 15, he flew executive air transportation mission in the UH-34G.

Returning to MCAAF Camp Pendleton, Captain Sullivan served as Operations and Administrative Officer of HML-267, and later as the first Operations Officer of HMA-269, while flying the UH-1E, OV-10A, and the AH-1G “Cobra” gunship.

Following duty as a student at Amphibious Warfare School, Quantico, Virginia, he was accepted for jet aircraft transition to the F-4 “Phantom II” aircraft in 1973.  He was subsequently assigned to VMFA-312, Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS), Cherry Point, North Carolina.  He served as the Logistics Officer and later as the Aircraft Maintenance Officer while flying the F-4J.  The “Checkerboards” relocated to MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina, in August 1974.  Captain Sullivan was transferred to the Western Pacific in January 1976 and served as the Aircraft Maintenance Officer of VMFA-115, MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, while flying the F-4J.

In February 1977, Major Sullivan reported to the Naval Air Training Command and was assigned as an advanced stage flight instructor and Operations Officer of VT-25, Naval Air Station, Beeville, Texas, while flying the TA-4J.  He was selected by the local chapter as Navy League Officer of the Year in 1978.  In July 1979, he reported as a student to the Naval Command and Staff College, Newport, Rhode Island.

Upon graduation, he was assigned to VMFA-451, MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina, as the Executive Officer and later as the Commanding Officer.  During his three-years with the squadron, the “Warlords” completed two Western Pacific six-month unit deployments and set a flight-hour and sortie-surge record for the F-4 aircraft.  Under his command, the squadron was selected as Fighter Squadron of the Year for the First and Second Marine Air Wings and was the only “Phantom” squadron in the Naval Services to receive the Chief of Naval Operations Safety Award.  His command was recognized by award of the Meritorious Service Medal citing his inspirational leadership and the squadron’s operational excellence and safety record.

In September 1983, Lieutenant Colonel Sullivan reported to the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Air Warfare), Washington, DC, as the F/A-18, F-4, and RF-4 Program Coordinator and resource sponsor in the Aircraft Requirements Branch (OP-506).  He oversaw the Department of the Navy’s newest fighter/attack aircraft program, then its largest development and acquisition plan.  He received a gold star in lieu of a second Meritorious Service Medal for guiding the “Hornet” program through its initial fleet stand up and first successful aircraft carrier air wing deployment.

He assumed duties as the Executive Officer of MCAS Beaufort in August 1986, and was selected for promotion to colonel in January 1987.  He assumed command of the Air Station on 29 June 1987.  The Station was recognized for excellence in overall installation management in 1988 and was the recipient of the Command-in-Chief’s Annual Award for Installation Excellence in 1989.  Colonel Sullivan was awarded the Legion of Merit for his inspirational leadership, managerial skill and innovation as commander of the finest installation in the Marine Corps.

He reported to the Naval War College staff in July 1990 and was assigned as Professor of Management and Course Director of Policy Making and Implementation within the National Security Decision Making Department.  He retired from the Marine Corps in September 1994.

His personal decorations include the Legion of Merit (two awards), Distinguished Flying Cross (three awards), Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Air Medal (1 Single Mission Air Medal and 52 Flight/Strike Awards), Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Unit Commendation, Meritorious Unit Commendation, National Defense Ribbon, Vietnam Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Ribbon with Palm, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon.