Commander of El Toro, Tustin Bases Promoted

Brig. Gen. P. Drax Williams, the commander of El Toro Marine Corps and Tustin Marine Corps Helicopter air stations, has been promoted to the rank of major general, military officials announced Tuesday.

Even with the promotion, Williams said he will remain at El Toro for at least two more years as commander of Western bases, a position that traditionally goes to a brigadier general.

Williams’ promotion was approved by the Marine Corps and President Bush.

“I will remain here to finish the programs and initiatives that I’ve started,” he said in a prepared statement. “I intend to continue the support to the Fleet Marine Force and ensure a good quality of life for the Marines and their families.”

Twenty-two officers competed this year for seven major general slots. There are only 28 major generals in the Marine Corps, and only about 1% of its officers ever make it that far up the ranks. The Corps has 190,000 enlisted personnel and officers.

Two other area Marine officers--Cols. Terrence R. Dake and Lawrence T. Garrett--were elevated to brigadier generals. Garrett is the commanding officer of Marine Air Group 16 at Tustin and Dake is the assistant commander of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing at El Toro.

The 51-year-old Williams, an aviator, served two tours of duty in Vietnam, where he flew more than 300 combat missions in A-4 jet fighters. He also has served with NATO in Rome and with the Naval Space Command at Dahlgren, Va.

Williams was promoted to brigadier general in 1988 and was made an assistant to the commandant in charge of legislative matters and public affairs.

He was given his first field command as a general last August when he took over El Toro in the wake of a scandal that led to the suicide of a top officer on the base, the firing of the chief of staff, and the investigation and reassignment of his predecessor, Brig. Gen. Wayne T. Adams.

Besides losing his command, Adams received a letter of reprimand for his unofficial use of military aircraft.

But since Williams arrival, the base has returned to normal.

“I believe in doing things in a time-tested way,” he told reporters shortly after his arrival. “I believe in following the rules and regulations and policy that have been written for good reason. That’s what’s going to happen.”