Marine Commandant

As a colonel and recently assigned commandant of the Marine Barracks at the U. S. Naval Base in Charleston, S. C., Donald N. Otis '37 has received rapid advances in rank and responsibility during the 15 years he has been in the Marines. He has served in many commands, and studied more hours than many graduate students.

During the war, from November 1942 to May 1944. he was Artillery Group Commander with the 10th Defense Battalion, which provided part of the defense of the GuadalcanalFlorida Island Group, and later participated in the invasion of the Russell Islands and of Eniwetok. From 1945 to 1947 he served with the Fleet Marine Force Pacific, among other assignments being battalion commander of the 18th Service Battalion on Maui.

Returning to this country in June 1947, Colonel Otis was the executive officer of the Mid-Western Recruiting Division in St. Louis, which directed recruiting and public information activities for the Marine Corps for nine states. Then followed more schooling at the Armed Forces Staff College at Norfolk and the Staff Officers Orientation Course, Sandia Air Force Base, in Albuquerque. Colonel Otis was with the Joint Staff of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Washington, for the past two years.

The recipient of many service awards, Colonel Otis resides with his wife, daughters Nancy, 11, and Joanne, 7, and son Anthony, aged two months, at the Naval Base in Charleston.

COL. DONALD N. OTIS '37