Walter Edward Gaskin Sr
Walter Edward Gaskin Sr. is a retired United States Marine Corps lieutenant general who held several high‑level roles in the U.S. and NATO. He was the 19th Deputy Chairman of the NATO Military Committee from May 2009 to August 2013 and served as Acting Chairman from November 2011 to January 2012. He was the first African American to hold the deputy chairman and acting chairman positions.
In January 2021, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper named Gaskin Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, a post he held until April 1, 2024.
Early life and education
- Born and raised in Savannah, Georgia.
- Attended Savannah State University on a Naval ROTC scholarship, earning a Bachelor of Science.
- Commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1974.
- Earned a Master of Public Administration from the University of Oklahoma in 1992.
- Completed the Senior Executive Seminar at the JFK School of Government, Harvard University, in 2002.
- Military education includes The Basic School and Amphibious Warfare School (1982–83); Army Command and Staff College (1986–87); Army War College (1993–94); and the Combined/Joint Force Land Component Command Course (2009).
Career highlights
- Commanding General, 2nd Marine Division at Camp Lejeune (June 2006–July 2008); also Commanding General, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).
- Led II MEF (Forward) during a year‑long deployment to Iraq as Commanding General of Multinational Forces–West.
- Vice Director of The Joint Staff (July 2008–May 2009).
- Commanding General, Marine Corps Recruiting Command (Sept 2002).
- Chief of Staff, Naval Striking and Support Forces–Southern Europe; Deputy Commanding General, Fleet Marine Forces–Europe (2002–2004).
- Commanding General, Training and Education Command (March 2000).
- Served four times with the 2d Marine Division, including leadership roles with 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines and commanding Battalion Landing Team 2/2 with the 22nd MEU (SOC) during operations in Liberia and the Central African Republic. Also held senior roles with II MEF operations, Bosnia, Kosovo, and other deployments.
Decorations
- Defense Distinguished Service Medal; Defense Superior Service Medal (two awards); Legion of Merit (two awards); Bronze Star Medal; and additional honors.
Post‑military and other roles
- Worked in the private sector as Managing Director of Operation Management Complex at Global Bank (Irvine, California) and as CEO of La Porte Technology Defense (LAPORTECH).
- Board member of the Institute for Defense and Business.
- In 2023, his involvement in a stolen valor case related to a former Marine led to scrutiny after he wrote a letter of recommendation that referenced experiences he believed to be true.
- Political endorsements: supported Hillary Clinton in 2016, Joe Biden in 2020, and Kamala Harris in 2024.
This summary covers Walter E. Gaskin Sr.’s major life and career highlights in a concise, easy‑to‑read form.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 05:14 (CET).