Was edward mcilhenny of tabasco company a usmc gunnery sergeant when he retired and took over as president of the Tabasco company?

Was edward mcilhenny of tabasco company a usmc gunnery sergeant when he retired and took over as president of the Tabasco company?
My name is Robert Thornton, and I was a US Marine in 1968 when my friend and fellow communicator by the name of McIlhenny applied for, and received, an early release from the USMC. He did not "retire", to my knowledge, as he did not have the time in the USMC required to "retire".He and I were members of a class of Marine Staff NCO's going through Communicat- ions Chief school at San Diego, CA, at the time. One morning, just before graduation, he told me that he was going to leave the Corps early in order to return home and help with the operation of the family business. It was only after that, that I found that it was Tabasco Co.I remember him as a gentleman of the first order with a deep Louisiana accent. He was quiet and well spoken.I tried, through Tabasco home pages, long ago, to find out how he was doing, but all I got was a polite run-around.I hope this note can help with the story. I have great respect for the gentleman, and for his most successful company. Semper Fi, Mac!! ThorntonMy name is Robert Thornton, and I was a US Marine in 1968 when my friend and fellow communicator by the name of McIlhenny applied for, and received, an early release from the USMC. He did not "retire", to my knowledge, as he did not have the time in the USMC required to "retire".He and I were members of a class of Marine Staff NCO's going through Communicat- ions Chief school at San Diego, CA, at the time. One morning, just before graduation, he told me that he was going to leave the Corps early in order to return home and help with the operation of the family business. It was only after that, that I found that it was Tabasco Co.I remember him as a gentleman of the first order with a deep Louisiana accent. He was quiet and well spoken.I tried, through Tabasco home pages, long ago, to find out how he was doing, but all I got was a polite run-around.To the best of my memory...yes. He was a Gunnery Sergeant of Marines.I hope this note can help with the story. I have great respect for the gentleman, and for his most successful company. Semper Fi, Mac!! Thornton