Donald R. Gardner

Donald R. Gardner
MajGen Donald R. Gardner, USMC (retired)
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Marine Corps
Years of service	1955-1994
Rank	Major General
Commands held	3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune III Marine Expeditionary Force Marine Corps Bases, Japan 3rd Marine Division
Awards	Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star Legion of Merit (2) Purple Heart
Other work	Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum Marine Corps University Foundation Marine Corps University Commonwealth of Virginia Veterans Services Foundation

Major General Donald R. Gardner is a retired United States Marine Corps officer and former president of the Marine Corps University.

Major General Gardner graduated from Memphis State University in 1960 with a Bachelor of Science degree in History. He also holds a Master of Arts degree in History from Memphis State University. He is a graduate of the Marine Corps Command and Staff College and a distinguished graduate of the Naval War College.

Gardner enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve in 1955, reaching the rank of sergeant. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in Reserves in 1960 after earning his bachelor's degree.

Major General Gardner’s command assignments include: Platoon Commander, 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines (1961); Company Commander, 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion(1963); Company Commander, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion (1966–67); Commanding Officer, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines (1977); Commanding General, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina (1988); Commanding General, III Marine Expeditionary Force and Commanding General, Marine Corps Bases, Japan (1992–94); Commanding General, 3rd Marine Division (Rein) (1993).