Jim Mattis, the 26th U.S. secretary of defense and former marine commander, is renowned for his remarkable contributions to the American military in the Gulf War, Afghanistan War, and Iraq War. Born into a middle-class family, Mattis’s mother served as a stenographer during World War II. After graduating high school in 1968, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps and quickly rose through the ranks, earning numerous honors and distinctions. Mattis’s emphasis on understanding a country’s history before engaging in conflict set him apart as a thoughtful and strategic leader. While serving as secretary of defense under President Donald Trump, Mattis ultimately resigned in December 2018 due to disagreements with the administration.
Quick Facts
- Nick Name: Chaos, Warrior Monk
- Also Known As: James Norman Mattis
- Age: 73 Years, 73 Year Old Males
- Family:
- Father: John West Mattis
- Mother: Lucille (Proulx) Mattis
- Siblings: Tom Mattis
- Born Country: United States
- Military Leaders
- American Men
- Height: 5’9″ (175 cm), 5’9″ Males
- U.S. State: Washington
- Ancestry: Canadian American
- Notable Alumni: Central Washington University
- Education: Central Washington University
- Awards:
- Bronze Star Medal
- Meritorious Service Medal
- Distinguished Service Medal
- Humanitarian Service Medal
Childhood & Early Life
Jim Mattis was born James Norman Mattis on September 8, 1950, in Pullman, Washington, U.S. His parents, John West Mattis and Lucille Mattis, both had associations with the United States armed forces. Jim grew up with two brothers in an American middle-class family. When he was 2 years old, the family moved to Richland, Washington. His father worked in the ‘Manhattan Project’ and his mother worked as a stenographer for the ‘Army Military Intelligence Corps’ during World War II. Jim graduated from ‘Richland High School’ in 1968.
Career
After high school, Jim Mattis enrolled in ‘Central Washington University’ and obtained a bachelor’s degree in history in 1971. During this time, the Vietnam War was ongoing, and Jim decided to join the armed forces. He enlisted as a reserve in the ‘Marine Corps’ in 1969 and participated in the ‘Reserve Officers’ Training Corps’ program. Jim was known for his love of reading and had a collection of about 7,000 books on world history.
In the early 1970s, Jim was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the ‘U.S. Marines.’ He quickly rose through the ranks and became a major. During the Persian Gulf War, he was deployed to the Persian Gulf as part of the operation “Desert Shield” and commanded the ‘1st Battalion, 7th Regiment’ of the marines. Jim’s leadership skills and bravery earned him a ‘Bronze Star’ and the ‘Edson’s Eagles’ honor.
Jim played a significant role in the planning stages of the Afghanistan War and led ‘Task Force 58.’ He brokered military deals with Pakistan to gain access to its beaches and landing strips. His troops successfully took over Kandahar, a strategic location in the war against the Taliban. During the Iraq War, Jim led the ‘1st Marine Division’ and earned a third star for his actions. After the war, he shared his experiences with new marine recruits.
As the Secretary of Defense
In 2017, Jim Mattis was appointed as the secretary of defense under President Donald Trump. A waiver was approved to allow him to hold the position despite the National Security Act’s restrictions. Jim brought stability to the White House but was aware of the mismanagement there. He disagreed with Trump on various issues, including joint military exercises with South Korea, collaborations with China and Russia, and the removal of troops from Syria. Jim retired in December 2018, two months earlier than scheduled.
During the George Floyd protests in 2020, Jim criticized Trump for dividing Americans instead of uniting them.
Family & Personal Life
Jim Mattis never married or had children. He is known as a “warrior monk” among his marine peers due to his marital status. He is a devout Catholic and is known for his love of reading. He has recommended Marcus Aurelius’s ‘Meditations’ as a book that every American should read.