Peter Pace was born on November 5, 1945, in Brooklyn, New York. He was commissioned a 2Lt in the U.S. Marine Corps upon graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy in June 1967. After completing the Basic School at Quantico, Virginia, Pace was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division in the Republic of Vietnam from 1968 to March 1969. Pace served a second tour in Southeast Asia from October 1972 to October 1973, at Marine Aircraft Group 15, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, at Namphong, Thailand. Pace went through Marine Corps Command and Staff College from August 1979 to June 1980, and was then assigned as Commanding Officer, Marine Corps Recruiting Station, Buffalo, New York. He served as Commanding Officer of 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, from June 1983 to June 1985, attended the National War College in Washington, D.C., from June 1985 to June 1986, and then he served with the Combined/Joint Staff in Seoul, South Korea, from June 1986 to August 1988, when he was assigned as Commanding Officer of the Marine Barracks in Washington, D.C. In August 1991, Pace was assigned as Chief of Staff and then Assistant Division Commander of the 2nd Marine Division at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He served as President of the Marine Corps University and Commanding General of Marine Corps Schools at the Marine Corps Combat Development Command from July 1992 to June 1994. During this time, he also served as Deputy Commander of Joint Task Force Somalia. Gen Pace became Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of U.S. Forces Japan in June 1994, and Director for Operations at the Joint Staff in Washington, D.C., in August 1996. He served as the Commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces Atlantic/Europe/South from November 1997 to September 2000, Commander in Chief of U.S. Southern Command from September 2000 to September 2001, and Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from September 2001 to August 2005. On September 30, 2005, General Peter Pace became the 16th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the first Marine to serve in this position. He retired from the U.S. Marine Corps on October 1, 2007. General Pace received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President George W. Bush on June 19, 2008.

The Citation for his 4th Defense Distinguished Service Medal reads:

For exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, from October 2001 to September 2007. He provided military advice to the President, Secretary of Defense, Homeland Security Council, and National Security Council during an unprecedented period in United States national security affairs. In consultation with national leaders, he oversaw multiple and often simultaneous joint and combined military operations in the War on Terrorism, setting more than 50 million people in Iraq and Afghanistan on a path to freedom. As Vice Chairman, he chaired the Joint Requirements Oversight Council which became the principal forum for senior military leaders to address warfighting requirements from a joint perspective. As Chairman, General Pace spearheaded reforms to improve the processes for assigning U.S. forces and mobilizing Reserves. He advocated major changes in the structure and responsibilities of the combatant commands, and was devoted to improving the quality of life for Service members. He played a critical role in the 2006 Quadrennial Defense Review effectively reorienting military capabilities over the next 20 years, and he oversaw Herculean efforts by the Armed Forces to provide humanitarian relief abroad and at home. General Pace's achievements in fighting global terrorism, improving joint warfighting, and transforming the military are emblematic of 40-years of selfless service. The distinctive accomplishments of General Pace culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Marine Corps, and the Office of the Secretary of Defense.