Senior Marine (SMI)

  • LtCol John Freda graduated from Fayetteville Manlius High School in 1979 and the State University of New York, College at Cortland, in 1985 with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education. He received his commission through the Officer Candidate Course program in April 1986. After completing the Basic School, he underwent training at the Infantry Officer's Course and graduated in December 1986.
    His first tour was with the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, at Camp Pendleton, California serving as a Rifle Platoon Commander.
    After completing his first Unit Deployment to Okinawa, he transferred into 1st Light Armor Vehicle Battalion, where he served as TOW Platoon Commander and Weapons Company Executive Officer. In 1989 he was augmented into the regular Marine Corps. In August 1990 he deployed with 1st LAV Battalion to Saudi Arabia for Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
     In the summer of 1994, he attended the Army's Infantry Officer Advanced Course and Jump School in Ft Benning, Georgia. After graduating in November 1994 with honors, he reported to 1st Battalion, 7th Marines in 29 Palms, California as Weapons Company Commanding Officer.
    After completing his second Unit Deployment to Okinawa he was transferred to 1stLight Armor Reconnaissance Battalion as the S-3 Operations Officer. In October 1996 he was promoted to Major.  
    In June 2000, he reported for duty at US Central Command, Tampa, Florida as an action officer in the Strategy section of the  J-5 Plans and Policy Division. After returning from Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), he was transferred to 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, California in June of 2003, where he served as Training Officer, Operations Officer, Planning Officer, and Assistant G-3. During this tour he deployed with the Division for OIF II.
    In June 2005 began his final assignment as the Executive Officer, School of Infantry (West).  He retired on 1 October 2006 with over twenty years of active service.
    Lieutenant Colonel Freda has served as the Senior Marine Instructor for the Mexico High School JROTC program since 2007.
    Lieutenant Colonel Freda’s awards include: Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal with gold star and the Combat Action Ribbon.  
     
     
    Lieutenant Colonel Freda is married to the former Sara Stabins of Watertown, New York. They have three children; Louie, Joe and Vera.