 | General Neal was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps upon graduation in 1965 from Northeastern University, Boston, MA., where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in history and education. He also holds a Masters degree in education from Tulane University, New Orleans, LA., and is a graduate of the National War College in Washington, DC.
Following completion of basic and the Field Artillery Officer Basic Course at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, General Neal served two tours of duty in Vietnam. He subsequently served as a commander of a howitzer battery, served with a Marine aircraft group on Okinawa, and commanded a Marine battalion at Camp LeJeune, NC.
General Neal later served as Director, Amphibious Warfare School, Quantico, VA, in which capacity he was selected for promotion to brigadier general. His early assignments as a flag officer included Director, Manpower Plans and Policy Division, Manpower and Reserve Affairs Department; Deputy for Operations at U.S. Central Command for Operations DESERT SHIELD/DESERT STORM; Deputy Commanding General, II MEF; and Commanding General, Joint Task Force for Operations GITMO, a humanitarian relief effort for Haitian migrants at Guantanamo Naval Base, Cuba.
He later served as Commanding General of the 2d Marine Division, and then Deputy Commander in Chief/Chief of Staff, U.S. Central Command, MacDill AFB, FL. He received his fourth star in 1996, and concluded his military career as the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps.
General Neal's personal decorations include: the Defense Distinguished Service Medal; Silver Star Medal with gold star in lieu of a second award; the Defense Superior Service Medal with palm in lieu of a second award; Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V"; Purple Heart; Navy Commendation Medal; Navy Achievement Medal; and the Combat Action Ribbon.
Since his retirement in 1998, General Neal has served as CEO of two intellectual property companies. He became Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Military Officers Association of America in 2008. He and his wife Kathy have three children and seven grandchildren, and they reside in Washington, D.C.
MOAA Position: Chairman of the Board. |
