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Major General Wayne E. Rollings


Major General Wayne Evan Rollings, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, died on January 3, 2022. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Gwen, his four children, Gina Rollings, Buck Rollings, Lisa Pascoli (Sean), Brittany Rollings, and also his six grandchildren, Katrina, Jake, Stephen, Evan, Austin, and Bella. 

Major General Rollings was born on January 11, 1941, the son of George and Lena Rollings in Orangeburg, S.C. After graduation from high school, he enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1960 and subsequently completed Marine Corps Drill Instructor (DI) School serving for two years as a DI at Parris Island, SC, before being released from active duty in 1965. While a Drill Instructor at Parris Island in 1964, he met one of his recruit’s sisters, Gwen, and they married in 1966. 

He was accepted into the University of Georgia on a track scholarship in 1966. During the summer of 1967, he attended Officer Candidate School. After graduation from UGA in 1968, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the USMC and then attended The Basic School in Quantico, VA, for six months receiving recognition as an Honor Graduate.

After two Vietnam tours, he was awarded the Navy Cross, two Silver Stars, a Bronze Star, and two Purple Hearts. 

He commanded Infantry Units at every level as well as Commanding Officer of Second Force Reconnaissance. His military career culminated as Commanding General of III Marine Expeditionary Unit in Okinawa, Japan and then Commanding General of II Marine Expeditionary Unit in Camp Lejeune, N.C. He retired in 1999. 

Following retirement from the Marine Corps, Major General Rollings became President of the Marine Military Academy in Harlingen, Texas, where he served until 2005. 

A talented athlete, he competed and placed as a top finisher in the JFK 50 mile run over the Appalachian Trail. He also broke the World’s Sit-Up Record in 1981 by completing 40,000 consecutive, nonstop sit-ups over the course of 16 hours while assigned as the Marine Officer Instructor, NROTC, University of South Carolina. The internment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a date to be determined. 

Memorial contributions may be given to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Friends, family, and those who served with Wayne are invited to share a memory and sign his guestbook below.

 

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