J Gary Cooper, military and governmental trailblazer from Mobile, dead at 87 al.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from al.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Cooper became a reservist in 1970 and served in a variety of capacities and rising to the rank of major general in 1988, when he returned to active duty as director of personnel at the Marine Corps headquarters.