Michael Phillip “Rifle” DeLong (March 15 1945 – July 27 2018) was a lieutenant general in the United States Marine Corps. He served as deputy commander of United States Central Command (CENTCOM) at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, from 2000 until his retirement in 2003, acting as second‑in‑command to General Tommy Franks during the early years of the Global War on Terror.
Early life and education
Born in Kinston, North Carolina, DeLong graduated from the United States Naval Academy. He earned a master’s degree in industrial management from Central Michigan University and completed numerous professional military schools, including the Basic School, Naval Flight Training, Amphibious Warfare School, Defense Intelligence School, Armed Forces Staff College, Army War College, and a fellowship at the Brookings Institution. He later received an honorary doctorate of strategic intelligence from the Joint Military Intelligence College.
Military career
Commissioned in 1967, DeLong’s service spanned more than three decades (1967–2003). His early assignments included tours with Marine helicopter squadrons during the Vietnam War, where he participated in Operations Eagle Pull and Frequent Wind. He held command positions in Marine aviation units such as HMM‑262, HML‑367, HMM‑266, and the 3rd Marine Air Wing. He also served as executive officer of Marine Aviation Weapons/Tactics Squadron 1 (MAWTS‑1) and deputy commander of I Marine Expeditionary Force.
During the Gulf War he was involved in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm; later, he acted as Joint Force Air Component Commander for Operation Restore Hope in Somalia. In his final active‑duty role, DeLong was deputy commander of CENTCOM, overseeing operations including Operation Iraqi Freedom (2003) and Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan).
Awards and decorations
DeLong’s personal decorations include:
- Defense Distinguished Service Medal (2)
- Defense Superior Service Medal (2)
- Legion of Merit (2)
- Distinguished Flying Cross (2)
- Meritorious Service Medal
- Air Medal with 69 flight strike numerals
- Navy Achievement Medal
- Combat Action Ribbon
He accumulated more than 5,600 flight hours in a variety of aircraft and logged over 800 combat flight hours.
Later life and death
After retiring from active service, DeLong lived in Treasure Island, Florida. He died of a heart attack on July 27 2018 at the age of 73. He was interred at Arlington National Cemetery.