James Mattis facts for kids

Quick facts for kids James Mattis
26th United States Secretary of Defense
In office January 20, 2017 – December 31, 2018
President	Donald Trump
Preceded by	Ash Carter
Succeeded by	Patrick M. Shanahan (acting)
Commander of United States Central Command
In office August 11, 2010 – March 22, 2013
President	Barack Obama
Preceded by	John R. Allen (acting)
Succeeded by	Lloyd Austin
Commander of the United States Joint Forces Command
In office November 9, 2007 – August 11, 2010
President	George W. Bush Barack Obama
Preceded by	Lance L. Smith
Succeeded by	Keith Huber (acting)
Supreme Allied Commander of Transformation
In office November 9, 2007 – September 8, 2009
Preceded by	Lance Smith
Succeeded by	Stéphane Abrial
Personal details
Born	James Norman Mattis (1950-09-08) September 8, 1950 (age 72) Pullman, Washington, U.S.
Political party	Independent
Alma mater	Central Washington University (BA)
Nickname(s)	"Chaos" (callsign) "Warrior Monk" "Mad Dog"
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Marine Corps
Years of service	1969–2013
Rank	General
Commands	U.S. Central Command U.S. Joint Forces Command Supreme Allied Commander Transformation I Marine Expeditionary Force U.S. Marine Forces Central Command Marine Corps Combat Development Command 1st Marine Division 7th Marine Regiment 1st Battalion, 7th Marines
Battles/wars	Persian Gulf War Invasion of Afghanistan Iraq War  • Invasion of Iraq  • First Battle of Fallujah  • Second Battle of Fallujah
Awards	Defense Distinguished Service Medal (2) Navy Distinguished Service Medal Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit Bronze Star (with Valor) Meritorious Service Medal (3)

James Norman "Mad Dog" Mattis (born September 8, 1950) is a retired United States Marine Corps general and was the 26th United States Secretary of Defense. On January 20, 2017, the United States Senate confirmed Mattis' nomination as Defense secretary with a 98-1 vote. He last served as the 11th Commander of United States Central Command from August 11, 2010 to March 22, 2013.

On December 20, 2018, Mattis announced his plans to retire on February 28, 2019. However after reading his resignation letter criticizing Trump's treatment of American allies, Trump ordered Mattis fired on December 31, 2018.

Early life

Mattis was born on September 8, 1950, in Pullman, Washington. He was raised in Richland, Washington. Mattis earned a BA degree in history from Central Washington University in 1971.

Military career

Mattis is known for carrying out the COIN strategy. Before President Obama appointed him to replace General Petraeus on August 11, 2010, he commanded United States Joint Forces Command from November 9, 2007 to August 2010 and served as NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Transformation from November 9, 2007 to September 8, 2009 at the same time. Prior to that, he commanded I Marine Expeditionary Force, United States Marine Forces Central Command, and 1st Marine Division during the Iraq War.

United States Secretary of Defense (2017–2018)

On December 1, 2016, President-elect Donald Trump announced that Mattis would be nominated to serve as United States Secretary of Defense in the coming administration. He was confirmed by the United States Senate with a 98-1 vote. On the same day, he was sworn-in by Vice President Mike Pence.

On April 5, 2017, Mattis called the Khan Shaykhun chemical attack "a heinous act" and said it would be treated accordingly. On April 10, Mattis warned the Syrian government against using chemical weapons again.

Mattis has voiced support for a Saudi Arabian–led military campaign against Yemen's Shiite rebels. He asked Trump to remove restrictions on U.S. military support for Saudi Arabia.

Mattis insisted that the U.S. would remain in Syria following the defeat of ISIS to ensure they did not regroup. However, Trump announced the U.S. withdrawal from Syria on December 19. The next day, Mattis submitted his resignation after failing to persuade Trump to reconsider. In his resignation letter, Mattis criticized Trump for not respecting allied nations while criticizing China and Russia's authoritarian rule. In response to the letter, Trump ordered Mattis' firing on January 1, nearly two months earlier than Mattis planned leaving office.

Personal life

Mattis is a lifelong bachelor who has never been married and has no children. He is nicknamed "The Warrior Monk" because of his bachelor life and lifelong devotion to the study of war.

Images for kids

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  Mattis addressing Marines at Camp Commando, Kuwait during Operation Enduring Freedom in February 2003.

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  Official portrait as Supreme Allied Commander Transformation

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  Letter written by Mattis on the eve of the 2003 invasion of Iraq, addressed to members of the 1st Marine Division

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  Vice President Joe Biden, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, Admiral Mike Mullen and General Mattis in Baghdad, Iraq, September 2010

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  General Lloyd Austin and Command Sgt. Maj. Joseph R. Allen greet Mattis as he arrives in Baghdad for the end-of-mission ceremony in December 2011.

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  Mattis with President Trump and Vice President Pence

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  Mattis with Finnish president Sauli Niinistö in Helsinki, Finland, in November 2017

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  Mattis and Turkish Defense Minister Nurettin Canikli at NATO headquarters in Brussels, February 2018

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  Mattis with Indonesian president Joko Widodo during a visit to Jakarta, Indonesia, in January 2018.

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  Mattis and Australian Minister for Defense Marise Payne visiting Victoria Barracks in Sydney, Australia, June 2017.

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  Mattis receiving the Distinguished Military Leadership Award from Michael Mullen at the annual Atlantic Council Awards Gala in Washington, D.C.