John R. Allen
War Hero
A four-star General in the United States Marine Corps, he played key roles in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom and held the offices of Deputy Commander of U.S. Central Command and Commander of the International Security Assistance Force and U.S. Forces Afghanistan.
He earned degrees at the United States Naval Academy, the National War College, the National Defense Intelligence College, and Georgetown University.
His numerous military honors include three Defense Distinguished Service Medals, four Legions of Merit, and the Defense Superior Service Medal.
He spent his youth in Fort Belvoir and Oakton, Virginia.
In 2011, he and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Martin Dempsey met in Afghanistan.