Korean-American to command US special operations forces
By Lee Han-soo
Daniel Yoo
Daniel Yoo, the first Korean-American general in the United States Marine Corps, has been appointed major general of the Special Operations Command Pacific (SOCPAC), a sub-unit under the U.S. Pacific Command.
SOCPAC’s area of operations typically includes 36 countries, including South Korea.
A change-of-command ceremony was held at Camp Smith, Hawaii, on Friday to honor Major General Yoo, who was previously commander of the 1st Marine Division.
A career infantry officer, Yoo most recently commanded the 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division and Camp Schwab in Okinawa, Japan.
He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal last July for outstanding performance as commander of a U.S. unit in Afghanistan between July 2009 and April 2010.
Yoo earned his undergraduate degree from Arizona State University and received a master’s degree from the Naval War College.