Top Marine Discreet on Issue of North

The commandant of the Marine Corps, in his first press conference since becoming the top Marine officer late last month, kept a discreet distance Monday between the Corps and Lt. Col. Oliver L. North.

Gen. Alfred M. Gray Jr., on a tour of Camp Pendleton and other West Coast Marine bases, told reporters to remember that North, strictly speaking, was not acting as a Marine officer while assigned to the National Security Council.

“Col. North has had a long and distinguished career as a Marine officer--including service in combat--and we’re very, very familiar with that,” Gray said.

“(But) what Col. North’s assignment involved and what he has done in the way of duties performed while assigned to the National Security Council is not a matter of Marine Corps knowledge or Marine Corps jurisdiction.”

Required to Wear Uniform

Gray noted that North is wearing his Marine uniform at congressional hearings because he is required to do so by a Navy regulation, although he could seek permission to wear civilian clothes.

“He’s one of my Marines and, as long as he is wearing Marine green, he’ll be treated with dignity,” he said. “A Department of Navy regulation says that anyone, regardless of rank or grade, while testifying before the Congress of the United States will wear his uniform.”

Gray was asked if the Iran- contra affair will hurt North’s career.

“I don’t think there’s any way you can judge such a topic as Col. North’s career,” Gray said. “Col. North is a Marine officer but he’s been assigned to duties outside the Marine Corps, and he’s very much involved in the current audit trail on those operations.

“I think it would be foolish for any comment along those lines.”

Gray, 59, joined the Marine Corps in 1950 and rose to the rank of sergeant before being commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1952. He served in both Korea and Vietnam and was commanding general of Marines in Europe before becoming commandant.

Gray spent much of the day talking to the troops and noncommissioned officers.