Facts:   - caption: paxton in january 2013    - allegiance: united states 23px united states of america    - commands: ii marine expeditionary force 1st marine division      - awards: defense -rrb- bronze star medal defense meritorious service medal meritorious service distinguished medal -lrb- 2 -rrb- navy and marine corps commendation medal service -lrb- 2 -rrb- medal legion of merit -lrb- 2    - birth date: 25 june 1951    - serviceyears: 1974 -- present    - name: john m. paxton , jr.    - branch: united states marine corps 23px    - image: paxton 2013 1.jpg border    - birth place: chester , pennsylvania , u.s.    - rank: 25px general   Based on these bullet points, write a short biography describing the life of john m. paxton , jr. .
john m. paxton , jr. -lrb- born june 25 , 1951 -rrb- is a united states marine corps general who currently serves as the 33rd assistant commandant of the marine corps .prior to current assignment , he served as the commanding general of u.s. marine corps forces command -lrb- marforcom -rrb- ; commanding general , fleet marine force atlantic -lrb- fmflant -rrb- ; commander , u.s. marine corps forces europe , as well as ii marine expeditionary force .previously , paxton was director , j3 - operations , the joint staff and chief of staff , multinational forces-iraq .u.s. defense secretary robert m. gates announced on march 13 , 2008 , paxton 's nomination for appointment to the rank of lieutenant general , and for assignment as director , strategic plans & policy , j-5 , the joint staff .on may 22 , 2007 , paxton relinquished command of the 1st marine division to take the role of chief of staff for multi-national force-iraq .