General Mundy enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve and enrolled in the Platoon Leaders Class Program in December 1953. He served in the 38th Special Infantry Company, Montgomery, Alabama, and rose to the grade of sergeant. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in June 1957, following graduation from Auburn University. Earlier assignments included service in the 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division; duty aboard the aircraft carrier USS Tarawa and the cruiser USS Little Rock; instructor at the The Basic School; and as Officer Selection Officer, Raleigh, North Carolina. In 1966-67, he served in Vietnam as operations and executive officer of the 3rd Battalion, 26th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, and as an intelligence officer in the Headquarters, III Marine Amphibious Force.

After Vietnam, his principal assignments were:

    * Aide de Camp to the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps
    * Inspector Instructor, 4th Air-Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, Miami, 
       Florida
    * Commanding Officer, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 3d Marine Division
    * Plans Officer, Headquarters Marine Corps
    * Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence, 2nd Marine Division
    * Chief of Staff, Sixth Marine Amphibious Brigade
    * Commanding Officer, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, and 
       36th and 38th Marine Amphibious Units

Following advancement to Brigadier General in April 1982, General Mundy's assignments were:

    * Director of Personnel Procurement, Headquarters Marine Corps
    * Commanding General, Landing Force Training Command, U.S. Atlantic
       Fleet, and Commanding General, 4th Marine Amphibious Brigade
    * Advanced to major general in April 1986
    * Director of Operations, Headquarters Marine Corps
    * Advanced to lieutenant general in March 1988
    * Deputy Chief of Plans, Policies and Operations, Headquarters Marine
       Corps Operations Deputy to the Joint Chiefs of Staff
    * Commanding General of the Fleet Marine Force Atlantic, the II Marine
       Expeditionary Force, the Allied Command Atlantic Marine Striking
       Force, and designated to command Fleet Marine Forces which might be 
       employed in Europe
    * Promoted to general on July 1, 1991
    * Commandant of the Marine Corps from July 1, 1991 to June 30, 1995

General Mundy is a native of Atlanta, Georgia, but spent his formative years in Tennessee, North Carolina, and Alabama. He graduated from the Marine Corps Command and Staff College, and the Naval War College. His United States decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal and the Distinguished Service Medals of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard; the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart Medal, and two Navy Commendation Medals. His foreign decorations include Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, the Colombian Distinguished Service, the Spanish Grand Cross of Naval Merit; the French Legion of Honor, Grade of Commander, the Argentinean Grand Cross, the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit, Grand Cross; and the Netherlands Medal of Merit.

He also served as an important catalyst in the incorporation of Civil Rights and anti-discriminatory practices not just within the Marine Corps but throughout the U.S. Armed Forces. His influence has been far reaching and his legacy touches all the major branches of the U.S. Armed Forces to this day.