7 best quotes from the legendary Gen. Jim Mattis December 21, 2020 110715-N-QL471-020 ARABIAN GULF (July 15, 2011) Gen. James N. Mattis, Commander, U.S. Central Command, speaks to the crew of USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) during an all hands call. George H.W. Bush is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility on its first operational deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Billy Ho/Released) Retired Marine Corps General James Mattis was one of the most popular and revered military leaders during his more than 40 years in uniform and beyond as secretary of defense from 2017 to 2018. In fact, nearly 97 percent of Marines viewed Mattis favorably, according to a 2018 Military Times poll.