Francis L. Donovan

Francis L. Donovan
AllegianceUnited States
BranchUnited States Marine Corps
Service years1988–present
RankGeneral
CommandsUnited States Southern Command
2nd Marine Division
5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade
24th Marine Expeditionary Unit
ConflictsGulf War
Iraq War
AwardsSilver Star
Defense Superior Service Medal (3)
Legion of Merit (2)
Alma materTowson University
Marine Corps Command and Staff College
United States Army War College

Francis L. Donovan is a United States Marine Corps general who serves as the commander of the United States Southern Command since 5 February 2026.[1] He previously served as vice commander of the United States Special Operations Command from 2023 to 2026. He has served as the commanding general of the 2nd Marine Division from 2020 to 2022.[2][3][4]

As a lieutenant colonel, Donovan served as executive officer of Marine Corps Special Operations Command Detachment One (Det One) from 16 April 2005 to 10 March 2006.[5] He later served as the Assistant Commanding General, Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC). Prior to JSOC, Major General Donovan spent two years as the Commanding General of Naval Amphibious Forces, Task Force 51 / 5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade – known as Task Force 51/5.[6]

Donovan earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in geography from Towson University. He later received a Master of Military Studies degree from the Marine Corps Command and Staff College and a Master of Strategic Studies degree the United States Army War College.[7]

After division command, he served as the director of Marine Corps Communication.[4]

In September 2022, Donovan was nominated for promotion to lieutenant general with assignment as vice commander, U.S. Special Operations Command. He was confirmed 15 December 2022.[8]

In December 2025, President Donald Trump nominated him for promotion to four-star general and appointment as commander, U.S. Southern Command.[9][10] On 3 January 2026, the Senate returned his nomination to the president without action.[11] His nomination was re-sent to the Senate on 8 January 2026, and confirmed on 30 January 2026.[12] He assumed command on 5 February 2026.[1]

Awards and decorations
SCUBA Diver Badge
Navy and Marine Corps Parachutist Insignia
Silver Star Medal
Defense Superior Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters Legion of Merit with one gold award star Meritorious Service Medal with two gold award stars Joint Service Commendation Medal
Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with three gold award stars Combat Action Ribbon Navy Unit Commendation with two bronze service stars Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation
National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Southwest Asia Service Medal with two bronze service stars Iraq Campaign Medal with service star
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Korea Defense Service Medal Humanitarian Service Medal Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with three service stars
Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon Marine Corps Recruiting Ribbon Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia) Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)
Expert Rifle Badge Expert Pistol Badge

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Francis L. Donovan.
  1. ^ a b McLoud, Steven (5 February 2026). "U.S. Marine General Donovan Assumes Command of SOUTHCOM". U.S. Southern Command. Archived from the original on 6 February 2026. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
  2. ^ "VMI Alumni Assume, Change Commands". VMI Alumni Agencies. 2 October 2020.
  3. ^ "Fair Winds and Following Seas: 2d Marine Division Change of Command". DVIDS.
  4. ^ a b "General Officer Announcements". U.S. Department of Defense. 9 September 2022. Archived from the original on 9 September 2022. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
  5. ^ "DET ONE U.S. MARINE CORPS U.S. SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND DETACHMENT, 2003–2006" (PDF). United States Marine Corps. 2010. Retrieved 9 September 2022. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  6. ^ "Commanding General, 2d Marine Division". U.S. Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 15 September 2022. Retrieved 9 September 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  7. ^ "Commanding General, 2d Marine Division". U.S. Marine Corps. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
  8. ^ "PN2513 — Maj. Gen. Francis L. Donovan — Marine Corps". United States Congress. 6 September 2022.
  9. ^ "Secretary of War General Officer Announcements for December 19, 2025". U.S. Department of War. 19 December 2025. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
  10. ^ Insinna, Valerie (19 December 2025). "Trump nominates Marine general for top SOUTHCOM job". Breaking Defense. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
  11. ^ "PN722 — Lt. Gen. Francis L. Donovan — Marine Corps, 119th Congress (2025-2026)". U.S. Congress. 18 December 2025. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
  12. ^ "PN729 — Lt. Gen. Francis L. Donovan — Marine Corps, 119th Congress (2025-2026)". U.S. Congress. 8 January 2026. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
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