Major General John V. Cox retired from the Marine Corps on July 1, 1985.

General Cox was born on March 26, 1930, in Bevier, Mo. He attended Northeast Missouri State Teachers College (now Truman State University) earning a B.S. degree in business administration. He also holds a master's degree in international affairs from George Washington University.

He entered the Marine Corps via the Officer Candidate Program at Quantico, Va., and was commissioned a Marine second lieutenant in September 1952. After completing The Basic School, he reported for flight training and was designated a Naval Aviator in July 1954.

Successive assignments were with all three active Marine Aircraft Wings and with the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing; service on the USS Lake Champlain; duty as an air and naval gunfire platoon commander; duty with Marine Fighter Squadron (VMF)-451, VMF-333, and VMA-324. He completed Communications Officer School, served as Communications Officer at MAG-15, El Toro, and later was Operations Officer of VMFA-513 at El Toro, Atsugi and DaNang (1962-1965).

He graduated from the Armed Forces Staff College in 1967, and after serving as an instructor at the Naval War College, he returned to Vietnam for a second tour of duty, serving as Commander Officer of VMFA-115 and as Executive Officer of MAG-13 at ChuLai.

Tours of duty in the 1970s include Executive Officer of MCAS, Kaneohe Bay, and duty on the staff of the Commander in Chief, Pacific. After graduating from the National War College in 1974, General Cox reported for duty at Headquarters Marine Corps. He was promoted to brigadier general on Nov. 4, 1977. Duty as Assistant Wing Commander, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, Commanding General, 9th Marine Amphibious Brigade, Assistant Chief of Staff at Headquarters Marine Corps, Deputy Chief of Staff for Research, Development and Studies at Headquarters Marine Corps, and Commanding General, MCAS El Toro/COMCABWEST, followed.

He was promoted to major general on April 9, 1981, with a date of rank of Aug. 1, 1978. He assumed command of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Corps Air Station, El Toro, Calif., in May 1981. In June 1982, he was assigned duty as the Director of Operations, J-3, for the Commander in Chief, Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii. He served in this capacity until July 1, 1985, when he retired from the Marine Corps.

His personal decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal; Legion of Merit with Combat "V"; Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V"; Air Medal with Numeral 19; the Joint Service Commendation Medal; and the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat "V" and gold star in lieu of a second award.