Wayne Rollings

Wayne E. Rollings
Bronze Star Purple Heart (2)
Other work	President, Marine Military Academy

Early career

Rollings was born on January 11, 1941, in Orangeburg, South Carolina. He began his career in the Marines by enlisting in 1960. After completing

.

In 1968, Rollings graduated with a

.

Navy Cross

In Vietnam, Rollings earned the Navy's second-highest honor for valor and heroism in combat, the

The citation that accompanied the medal:

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Wayne E. Rollings (107099), First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism on 18 September 1969 as a patrol leader with the First Force Reconnaissance Company, First Reconnaissance Battalion,

struck him in the face and legs, First Lieutenant Rollings continued to deliver suppressive fire, accounting for several enemy casualties and forcing the remainder of the hostile troops to withdraw. Assuming the dangerous point position, and once again faced with intense enemy fire, he charged up an enemy-held knoll in a fiercely determined assault, resulting in the complete routing of the enemy. Despite the pain of his injuries, First Lieutenant Rollings continued to expose himself to fire from the retreating enemy while he skillfully directed air strikes upon all possible routes of egress. Through his courage, dynamic leadership, and unfaltering devotion to duty, he contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his patrol's mission and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

Marine Corps career

After returning from Vietnam in 1970, he became a rifle

.

In 1974, he transferred to the Middle East and served a tour of duty with the United Nations Observer Team. Upon completion of that assignment, he reported to the 2d Marine Division, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina in 1975, where he was assigned as a Rifle Company Commander, and then as the Battalion Operations and Training Officer of 1st Battalion, 6th Marines. In 1977, he was reassigned to 2nd Force Reconnaissance Company where he became the Commanding Officer.

As a major, he attended the

to serve as the Commanding Officer, Headquarters and Service Battalion, The Basic School, and later, as the Tactics Group Chief. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel in July 1983.

From 1984 to 1985, Rollings attended the

3d Battalion, 4th Marines

from 1986 to 1988.

Following his selection to colonel in 1988, Rollings reported to the

/ Commander, Marine Corps Bases Japan.

Additional information

Rollings set the world record for

Awards

Navy Marine Corps Parachutist Badge
1st Row	Navy Cross				award star				Defense Superior Service Medal
2nd Row	valor device			award star			award star			Navy Marine Corps Commendation Medal
3rd Row	Combat Action Ribbon			Joint Meritorious Unit Award			Navy Unit Commendation			Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation
4th Row	National Defense Service Medal w/ 1 service star			Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal			Vietnam Service Medal			Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon
5th Row	Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation			Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Citation (First Class)			United Nations Medal			Vietnam Campaign Medal

• Note: The gold US Navy Parachute Rigger badge was worn unofficially by USMC personnel in place of the US Army parachutist badge from 1942–1963 before it officially became the Navy and Marine Corps Parachutist insignia on July 12, 1963, per Bureau of Naval Personnel Notice 1020. Members of the Marine Corps who attended jump school before 1963 were issued the silver Army parachutist badge but may be depicted wearing the gold Navy Parachute Rigger badge as it was common practice during this time period.

Notes

References

• "Official Biography: Major General Wayne E. Rollings — Retired". Biographies: General Officers & Senior Executives. Manpower & Reserve Affairs, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2012-03-04. Retrieved 2009-12-09..