VDP_Newspaper_29_PRINTREADY_2 10 2015 | Page 9

RAY MABUS NORMAN LEAR HONORARY GRAND MARSHAL SECRETARY OF THE NAVY HONORARY MARSHAL U.S. ARMY AIR CORPS, WORLD WAR II Ray Mabus is the 75th United States Secretary of the Navy, the longest to serve as leader of the Navy and Marine Corps since World War I. As Secretary, Mabus has improved the quality of life of Sailors, Marines and their families; decreased the Department’s dependence on fossil fuels; strengthened partnerships; and increased the size of the Navy fleet. Before his appointment to Secretary, Mabus served as Governor of Mississippi from 1988-1992, the youngest elected to that office in more than 150 years. He was Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from 1994-1996 and later was Chairman and CEO of a manufacturing company. Secretary Mabus is a native of Ackerman, Mississippi, and received a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Mississippi, a Master’s Degree from Johns Hopkins University, and a Law Degree from Harvard Law School. After Johns Hopkins, Mabus served in the Navy as an officer aboard the cruiser USS Little Rock. Nor m a n Lear has enjoyed a long career in television and film, and as a political and social activist and philanthropist. Mr. Lear served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II as a radio operator/gunner on B-17 bombers. He flew 52 combat missions, receiving the Air Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters. Mr. Lear began his television career in 1950. In 1970, he created All in the Family for CBS. The groundbreaking show earned four Emmy Awards, a Peabody Award, and spawned multiple other hit shows. In 1999, President Clinton bestowed the National Medal of Arts on Mr. Lear, noting that “[he] has held up a mirror to American society and changed the way we look at it.” Mr. Lear has founded multiple nonprofit organizations promoting citizenship and other causes. In October 2014 he published his memoir, Even This I Get To Experience. Mr. Lear is married to Lyn Davis Lear and lives in Los Angeles, California. He has six children and four grandchildren. MCPON MIKE D. STEVENS LTGEN RICHARD MILLS (RET’D) HONORARY GRAND MARSHAL MASTER CHIEF PETTY OFFICER OF THE NAVY HONORARY MARSHAL FORMER COMMANDER, MARINE FORCES RESERVE M a s t e r Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Mike D. Stevens was born and raised in Montana. He graduated from Arlee High School in May 1983 and immediately entered the U.S. Navy. Stevens advanced to Master Chief Petty Officer in October 2002. He served a number of operational tours, including as the 16th Fleet Master Chief for Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command. Stevens’ academic achievements include a Bachelor of Science from Lieutenant General Richard Mills (Retired) recently concluded a long and distinguished career in the U.S. Marine Corps. A native of Huntington, New York, Lieutenant General Mills served in a wide range of commands in the Marines, including with 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) (MEU SOC) in operations off Bosnia and Somalia. He then commanded the 24th MEU (SOC) during Excelsior College; Harvard John F. Kennedy School of Government; and the National Defense University Keystone course. Personal awards include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (four awards), Navy Commendation Medal (five awards), Navy Achievement Medal (six awards), the Coast Guard Achievement Medal with operational “O”, Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist Insignia, and Enlisted Naval Aircrew Wings. Stevens became the 13th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy on September 28, 2012. Operations Joint Guardian and Enduring Freedom, and as part of Task Force Tarawa. He then served in Europe before commanding 1st Marine Division. He deployed to Iraq as Commander, Ground Combat Element, Multi-National Forces – West, then to Afghanistan where he was the first Marine Corps General Officer to command NATO forces in combat. In August 2013, Lieutenant General Mills assumed command of Marine Forces Reserve and Marine Forces North. He retired from the United States Marine Corps in September 2015. NOVEMBER 11, 2015 9