Anthony L. Jackson
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Anthony L. Jackson | |
|---|---|
 Major General Anthony L. Jackson | |
| Born | 1948/1949 (age 76–77)[1] Fort Lewis, Washington, U.S. |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service/ |  United States Marine Corps |
| Rank |  Major general |
| Commands held | Marine Corps Installations West 1st Marine Regiment |
| Battles/wars | Operation Iraqi Freedom Operation Enduring Freedom – Philippines |
| Awards | Navy Distinguished Service Medal Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit (3) Bronze Star Medal |
Anthony L. Jackson (born c. 1949) is a retired United States Marine Corps major general who served as director of the California Department of Parks and Recreation from November 2012 to June 2014. He was appointed by Governor Jerry Brown following the resignation of director Ruth Coleman amid disclosures of $54 million held in undisclosed special funds while the department had threatened to close 70 state parks.[2][3][4]
Jackson entered the U.S. Army in 1975, served three years on active duty, then transferred to the Marine Corps Reserve and returned to active duty as a Marine officer about two years later.[5][6] He retired on January 1, 2012, after more than 36 years of total service. His final assignment was as commanding general of Marine Corps Installations West, with responsibility for six Marine Corps bases in California and Marine Corps Air Station Yuma in Arizona; at his retirement he was one of the highest-ranking African Americans in the Marine Corps.[2][7][3][8]
Early life and education
Jackson is a native of Fort Lewis, Washington, and grew up in a military family; his father served in a segregated U.S. Army unit during World War II.[7][9][6] As a teenager he took part in sit-ins at white-only lunch counters in Houston.[5][10][6] Jackson started at San Jose State University in 1967 on a full football scholarship, played three varsity seasons, and was captain of the football team in 1970.[11][1][6][12] At SJSU he led fellow Black athletes in a 1968 boycott of a football game against Brigham Young University in protest of the LDS Church's then-policy excluding Black men from its lay priesthood.[5] He was a cadet in the Army ROTC program at San Jose State.[12] He earned a Bachelor of Arts in history in 1971 and a Master of Arts in history in 1973, both from San Jose State.[2][7][11]
His professional military education included The Basic School at Quantico, the Amphibious Warfare School and Marine Corps Command and Staff College (by correspondence), the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Virginia, and the United States Army War College at Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where he graduated in 1998.[2][7] He also completed the National Defense University Capstone program and the Senior Executives in National Security program at the Harvard Kennedy School.[13] In 2011, the Trustees of the California State University and San Jose State University awarded him an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters; he was the first SJSU alumnus of flag rank to receive the honor.[2][14][11][12]
Marine Corps career
Jackson was commissioned in 1975 and entered active duty in the U.S. Army; he has said he chose military service after seeing news coverage at Candlestick Park of the Marines' role in recapturing the Mayaguez during the Mayaguez incident in the Gulf of Siam.[5] After three years on Army active duty, Jackson transferred to the Marine Corps Reserve, then returned to active duty in the Marine Corps about two years later.[5][6] Following The Basic School at Quantico, he was assigned to Camp Pendleton as Rifle and Weapons Company commander, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division.[2][7]
Early assignments (1975–1997)
Earlier assignments included the 1st Battalion, 5th Marines at Camp Pendleton; a Marine detachment aboard the USS Long Beach; the Recruit Field Training Division at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego; the 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade at Kaneohe Bay; Senior Emergency Action Officer at the National Military Command Center on the Joint Staff in Washington, D.C.; The Basic School at Quantico; and the Marine Security Forces at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Georgia.[2]
In 1997, Jackson completed an assignment as the advisor to the Commandant of the Marine Corps on equal opportunity matters and as head of the Equal Opportunity Branch at Marine Corps Headquarters.[2]
Field-grade and regimental command (1998–2003)
From 1998 to 2000, Jackson served as Assistant Chief of Staff, G-7, I Marine Expeditionary Force. From 2000 to 2002 he commanded the 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division.[2]
From 2002 to 2003, Jackson was Chief of Staff of the 3rd Marine Division in Okinawa, Japan, while concurrently serving as Chief of Staff of Joint Task Force 555 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom – Philippines.[2][7]
Iraq deployment and flag-officer assignments (2003–2011)
From 2003 to 2005, Jackson was Assistant Chief of Staff, G-5, I Marine Expeditionary Force, deploying to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom II.[2][7] As Deputy Commander of U.S. Marine Forces Central Command from 2005 to 2007, he supported the procurement of Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles for use in Iraq.[10]
From September 2007 to August 2009, Jackson served as the first Director of Operations (J-3) and Logistics (J-4) at United States Africa Command in Stuttgart, Germany, where his portfolio included Operation Enduring Freedom – Horn of Africa and Operation Enduring Freedom – Trans Sahara.[2][6]
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Jackson assumed command of Marine Corps Installations West on September 29, 2009, succeeding Major General Michael R. Lehnert in a change-of-command ceremony at Camp Pendleton.[7][8] The command had responsibility for six Marine Corps bases in California and Marine Corps Air Station Yuma in Arizona, with more than 60,000 Marines and sailors and 13,000 employees.[2][3] During his tenure, MCI West completed the $24.6 million Wounded Warrior Battalion-West barracks at Camp Pendleton, the first Marine Corps construction project to receive LEED Platinum certification.[8] Jackson relinquished command to Brigadier General Vincent A. Coglianese on November 18, 2011, and his retirement was effective January 1, 2012.[8][2] On his departure he was recognized in a letter from President Barack Obama for his leadership.[8]
Jackson was one of the highest-ranking African Americans in the Marine Corps at the time of his retirement.[3][8][11] A September 1994 article he wrote in the Marine Corps Gazette, "Minority Officers in the Marine Corps: A Perspective", addressed diversity in the officer corps.[15][13]
California State Parks director
On November 13, 2012, Governor Jerry Brown appointed Jackson director of the California Department of Parks and Recreation.[2][3][4] He was sworn in on November 16, 2012.[1] The appointment followed the resignation of director Ruth Coleman in July 2012 after disclosures that the department had held $54 million in two special funds while planning to close approximately 70 of the state's parks for lack of funding.[3][1][4]
In announcing the appointment, Brown said Jackson brought "more than thirty years of problem-solving and management experience" and would help restore "the confidence and trust of Californians in our Parks Department".[2] California Natural Resources Secretary John Laird cited Jackson's experience protecting cultural resources on federal land and integrating military and civilian personnel.[2] The position carried an annual salary of $150,112.[3]
Jackson announced on May 21, 2014, that he would retire from the directorship effective June 30, 2014, after about 18 months in the post.[16] A department statement credited him with addressing deferred maintenance, rebuilding employee morale, and partnering with the Parks Forward Commission on long-term reforms.[16][17] Laird said Jackson had "come to the department during its darkest hour, bringing stability and consistency".[16] He was succeeded in an acting capacity by Lisa Mangat, the fourth person to lead the parks system in two years.[18]
Awards and decorations
Jackson's personal decorations, in order of United States Marine Corps precedence, are:[2][9]
 |
Navy Distinguished Service Medal |
 |
Defense Superior Service Medal |
  |
Legion of Merit with two gold award stars |
 |
Bronze Star Medal |
 |
Defense Meritorious Service Medal |
 |
Meritorious Service Medal with two gold award stars |
 |
Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with one gold award star |
 |
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal |
  |
National Defense Service Medal with two service stars |
 |
Iraq Campaign Medal with two service stars |
 |
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal |
 |
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal |
 |
Korea Defense Service Medal |
  |
Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with one silver and one bronze service star |
 |
Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon with one bronze service star |
 |
Marine Corps Drill Instructor Ribbon |
Civilian and post-retirement activities
Jackson serves on the board of directors of the San José State University Tower Foundation.[11] He joined the California State University, San Marcos (CSUSM) Foundation Board in 2012 and has served as a director, chair, and adviser; he was the inaugural chair of the CSUSM President's Military Advisory Council.[19] With his wife Sue, he established an endowed scholarship at CSUSM for veterans, and mentors student-athletes at the university.[19] He also serves on the Governor's Military Council.[14]
In May 2025, Jackson received the CSUSM Presidential Medal of Honor at the spring commencement.[19]
Personal life
Jackson's wife, Sue, is a graduate of San José State University.[11] They live in Fallbrook, California.[3][5]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Rogers, Paul (November 13, 2012). "Gov. Jerry Brown taps retired Marine Corps general, San Jose State football captain, to lead state parks". The Mercury News. Retrieved May 9, 2026.
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 2.17 "Governor Brown Appoints New Parks Director" (Press release). Office of Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. November 13, 2012. Retrieved May 9, 2026.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 York, Anthony (November 13, 2012). "Brown taps ex-Marine general to head California parks department". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 9, 2026.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Walsh, Tony (November 13, 2012). "Fallbrook Retired Marine General To Head State Parks System". KPBS. Retrieved May 9, 2026.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 Megerian, Chris (January 1, 2013). "Ex-Marine general takes helm of state parks agency". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 9, 2026.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 Vandiver, John (January 18, 2009). "Black military leaders express pride, not surprise, at progress". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved May 9, 2026.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.7 Guerrero, Manuel F. (October 9, 2009). "MCIWEST welcomes new commanding general". 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. United States Marine Corps. Retrieved May 9, 2026.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 Gutierrez, Damien (November 18, 2011). "MCI-West commanding general passes torch". Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on May 18, 2026. Retrieved May 9, 2026. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Anthony Jackson". Hall of Valor. Military Times. Retrieved May 9, 2026.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Jackson, Anthony L. (interviewee); Visintainer, Sean (interviewer) (March 7, 2023). Interview with Anthony Jackson. Voices of North County: Campus and Community Oral Histories at Cal State San Marcos. California State University San Marcos University Library. SC027. Retrieved May 9, 2026.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 "Major General Anthony L. Jackson, USMC (Ret.)". Made in the CSU. California State University. Retrieved May 9, 2026.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 "SJSU Alumnus MG Anthony L. Jackson Receives an Honorary Doctorate" (PDF). Spartan Salute. 4. Burdick Military History Project, San Jose State University. Spring 2011. Retrieved May 9, 2026.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 "MajGen Anthony (Tony) Jackson". California State University San Marcos Foundation. Retrieved May 9, 2026.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 "New Interim Director Appointed for Veterans Services". NewsCenter. California State University, San Marcos. June 21, 2019. Retrieved May 9, 2026.
- ↑ Jackson, Anthony L. (September 1994). "Minority Officers in the Marine Corps: A Perspective". Marine Corps Gazette.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 Vigil, Jennifer (May 21, 2014). "Former Marine Major General From Fallbrook to Retire as Head of State Parks Service". Times of San Diego. Retrieved May 9, 2026.
- ↑ "State Parks Director Announces Retirement" (PDF) (Press release). California Department of Parks and Recreation. May 21, 2014. Retrieved June 2, 2026.
- ↑ Orr, Katie (July 14, 2014). "California Parks System Gets Another New Leader". Capital Public Radio. Retrieved May 9, 2026.
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 Clark, Debby (May 20, 2025). "Major General Receives CSUSM's Medal of Honor". NewsCenter. California State University, San Marcos. Retrieved May 9, 2026.
External links
Media related to Anthony L. Jackson at Wikimedia Commons
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- United States Marine Corps generals
- 21st-century African-American military personnel
- San Jose State Spartans football players
- United States Army War College alumni
- Marine Corps University alumni
- Recipients of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal
- Recipients of the Defense Superior Service Medal
- Recipients of the Legion of Merit
- United States Marine Corps personnel of the Iraq War
- State cabinet secretaries of California
- People from Fallbrook, California
- Military personnel from California
