The First Korean-American General in the U.S. Marine Corps Just Got Even More Badass

May 16, 2017

Daniel D. Yoo, the first Korean-American general in the United States Marine Corps, was recently appointed as the major general of the Special Operations Command Pacific (SOCPAC).

A change-of-command ceremony took place on Friday at Camp Smith in the Hawaiian town of Aiea on the island of Oahu to honor Yoo, who previously commanded the 1st Marine Division, reported Hawaii News Now.

SOCPAC assists the U.S. Pacific Operations Command by “deterring aggression, responding quickly to crisis, and defeating threats to the United States and its interests.”

The unit usually operates in 36 different countries, and divides its area of focus into four regions, including South East Asia, South Asia, Northeast Asia and Oceania, according to USSOCOM.

Yoo, who became the first Korean-American general in 2011, most recently commanded the 4th Marine Regiment, the 3rd Marine Division, and Camp Schwab in Okinawa, Japan, reported the Korea Times.

In July 2016, the major general was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for outstanding performance serving as commander of a U.S. unit in Afghanistan from July 2009 and April 2010.

He graduated from Arizona State University in 1984 and then attended the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island to earn his master’s degree.

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