General William L. “Spider” Nyland served the Marine Corps more than 37 years, retiring in November 2005 as the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps. His distinguished career included 122 combat missions with fighter attack squadrons in Vietnam, and subsequent combat sorties in Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan. He commanded VMFA-232, MATSG Pensacola and 2d Marine Aircraft Wing. He was the first Naval Flight Officer(NFO) ever selected to the general officer ranks. Gen has been a very active supporter of, and faithful attendee at, Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation balls and golf tournaments for many years. He resides with his wife, Brenda, in Pensacola, FL.