James S. Hartsell - USMC 1981-2018

General Hartsell served in the United States Marine Corps with honor for 37 years of active and reserve duty, beginning as an enlisted Marine in 1981 and completing a distinguished and highly decorated military career as a Major General.

As a Lieutenant Colonel commanding the 4th Reconnaissance Battalion in 2001-2003, he was mobilized in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 1 and awarded the Meritorious Service Medal. In 2004, he was mobilized again and deployed for Operation Iraqi Freedom 2 as 1st Marine Division Senior Liaison to the Marine Expeditionary Force and awarded the Bronze Star and Combat Action Ribbon.

As a Colonel he was mobilized and deployed for Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) as Senior Liaison to NATO Regional Command – South and was awarded the Legion of Merit and Combat Action Ribbon.

General Hartsell served as Commanding General of the 4th Marine Division comprised of 18,000 Sailors and Marines in 37 states and during his command deployed units and teams to five Continents in support of the Global War on Terror. He then served as U.S. Pacific Command Mobilization Assistant to the Commander, as J5 Strategy & Policy Director, and as Chief of Staff of the 360,000 participant United States Pacific Command and was awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal

After retiring for the USMC Gen. Hartsell returned to his home state of Florida and is currently the Executive Director of the Florida Dept. of Veterans' Affairs. Florida is home to over a million and a half Veterans and more are coming to live each year. Matching them with the benefits they are entitled to is the job of Retired General James “Hammer” Hartsell, the Executive Director of the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs. And it’s something he’s very passionate about.

Story by Ross Rowlinson - Vero Beach FL