Lieutenant General James W. Bierman, Jr. was born in Camp Lejeune and commissioned into the Marine Corps from the Virginia Military Institute in 1987.
As a company grade officer, Lieutenant General Bierman served as a Rifle Platoon Commander, Anti-Armor Platoon Commander, Adjutant, Commanding Officer of Headquarters and Service Company 2d Battalion, 8th Marines, Regimental Intelligence Officer, and Commanding Officer of Charlie Company 1st Battalion, 1st Marines. He participated in Operation Earnest Will in the Persian Gulf in 1988, in Operation Provide Comfort in Northern Iraq in 1991, and in Operation Restore Hope in Mogadishu, Somalia in 1992 and 1993.
As a field grade officer, Lieutenant General Bierman served as Operations Officer of 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, Commanding Officer of Recruiting Station Richmond, and as a planner and Deputy G-3, Future Operations for I Marine Expeditionary Force. In 2003, he became the Commanding Officer of 1st Battalion, 3d Marines, and led the battalion in combat in Afghanistan and Iraq. From 2003 to 2007, he participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom II, Operation Enduring Freedom VI-VII, and Operation Iraqi Freedom VI-VIII. In April 2009, Lieutenant General Bierman assumed command of 3d Marines. From 2011 to 2013, he served as the Military Secretary to the Commandant of the Marine Corps.
As a General Officer, Lieutenant General Bierman commanded the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego and Western Recruiting Region from 2013 to 2016. In 2016, he was assigned to the Joint Staff and served as Deputy Director for Political-Military Affairs for the Middle East, Strategic Plans and Policy (J5). From 2018 to 2020, he served as the Commanding General of Marine Corps Recruiting Command. From 2020 to 2021, he served as the Commanding General of 3d Marine Division. From 2021-2024, he commanded III Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Forces Japan. In January 2024, he assumed duties as the Deputy Commandant for Plans, Policies and Operations.
Lieutenant General Bierman is a graduate of The Basic School, Infantry Officer Course, Intelligence Officers Course, Amphibious Warfare School, Command and Staff College, School of Advanced Warfighting, and College of Naval Warfare.
Lieutenant General Bierman’s personal decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit with gold star, the Bronze Star with combat distinguishing device and two gold stars, the Meritorious Service Medal with two gold stars, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with gold star, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with gold star.