Lieutenant Colonel Peter G. McCarthy (Ret.) was born June 24, 1958 in Boston. He graduated from College of the Holy Cross in 1980 with a B.A. Degree in Economics. Commissioned a second lieutenant in September 1980, he attended The Basic School at Quantico, Va., graduating in April 1981. Following graduation from the Infantry Officer Course in June 1981, Lt. Col. McCarthy reported to Camp Pendleton, California, where he served consecutively as a Rifle Platoon Commander , Weapons Platoon Commander, Assistant Battalion Operations Officer, and Company Commander with 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines. During this tour, he was promoted to first lieutenant in 1982 and attended Aerial Observer School at MCAS New River, graduating in March 1983. In November 1984, Lt. Col. McCarthy reported to Recruiting Station New York for duty as the Officer Selection Officer until July 1988. During this assignment, he was promoted to captain in September 1985.Following recruiting duty, he was a student at Amphibious Warfare School, Quantico, Va. After graduating in May 1989, Lt. Col. McCarthy remained at Quantico, serving as a Platoon Commander and Company Executive Officer with Officer Candidate School until September 1989. In October 1989, he received orders to Kaneohe Bay Hawaii, for duty with the 3rd Marine regiment. In August 1990, Lt. Col. McCarthy deployed to Southeast Asia. During Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm, he served as the Commanding Officer, Company A, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion. He returned to the United States in April 1991, where he was later assigned duty as the Battalion Operations Officer, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment. In August 1992, Lt. Col. McCarthy was ordered to duty as the Readiness and Training Officer, 3rd Naval Construction Brigade, Pearl Harbor. He was promoted to Major in October 1992.Lt. Col. McCarthy deployed to Somalia as part of Operation Restore Hope in January 1993 and returned to the U.S. in April of that year, continuing his duties as the Readiness and Training Officer of the 3rd Naval Construction Brigade. In July 1994, he assumed command of Recruiting Station New Jersey. Following this tour, he attended the Marine Corps Command and Staff College from which he graduated with distinction in 1998, and was subsequently assigned to Marine Forces Pacific Headquarters at Camp Smith, Hawaii. While there, he served as the Headquarters and Service Battalion Executive Officer at MARFORPAC until reassigned to his current position as Deputy for Support Operations at 1st Marine Corps District Headquarters. Lieutenant Colonel McCarthy's medals and decorations include: The Meritorious Service Medal with two stars, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal with gold star in lieu of second award, and the Combat Action Ribbon.