Major
General Patrick G. Howard, USMC (ret), started his position
as the Marion County Administrator on August 1, 2002.
Prior to this, General Howard was the District Administrator
for the Department of Children and Families, District
13.
A native of Cameron, West Virginia, General Howard
graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1967. He also
holds a M.S. degree in Public Administration from Shippensburg
University and is a graduate of the U.S. Army War College.
General Howard served for 32 years in the U.S. Marine
Corps before joining the Department of Children and
Families. An artillery officer, General Howard served
in Vietnam, Operation Frequent Wind (evacuation of Saigon),
and Desert Shield.
During his career, he served in various command and
staff positions to include commanding an artillery battery,
battalion and the 11th Marine Regiment in support of
1st Marine Division during Desert Shield and Desert
Storm.
He was selected for the rank of General in March
1993 and served as Director, Personnel Management Division,
Marine Corps Headquarters; the Commanding General, Marine
Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina; and the Deputy
Commanding General, Marine Corps Combat Development
Command, Quantico, Virginia.
His personal decorations include: the Superior Service
Medal, the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” and gold
star and Combat Action Ribbon with gold star.
General Howard officially retired from the Marine
Corps on 1 January 2000.
