First Lieutenant Lee B. Alley
Lee Buckley Alley was commissioned as an Armor Officer upon graduation from Armor Officer Candidate School, Class 18- 66, Company C1, on 12 August 1966 at Fort Knox, Kentucky. His first duty assignment was as a Tactical Officer in the Officer Candidate School Brigade at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Aberdeen, Maryland. His subsequent duty assignments were Infantry Platoon Leader, Company B, 5th Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, RVN; Recon Platoon Leader, HHC, 5/60 Infantry, 9th ID, RVN; Company Commander, C Company, 5/60 Infantry, 9th ID, RVN; Assistant Operations Officer, 5/60 Infantry, 9th ID, RVN.
His military education consists of Armor School OCS, Infantry School Airborne, and Jungle Operations Course.
Over the course of 109 days from 8 November 1967 to 25 February 1968 as an Infantry Platoon Leader, Recon Platoon Leader and Company Commander, Lieutenant Alley displayed extraordinary heroism resulting in him being awarded the Soldier’s Medal denoting heroism in a non-combat situation, and the Distinguished Service Cross and the Silver Star. Two of the three highest awards for heroism of the U.S. Army. His other military awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart (OLC), Air Medal, Army commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, and Parachute Badge. He is one of the 9th Infantry Division’s highest acclaimed and decorated Vietnam War soldiers and is the highest and most decorated Vietnam War veteran in the State of Wyoming.
After completing his active duty commitment he returned to the University of Wyoming and graduated with a BA in Secondary Education. He has been a history teacher, a working partner in a family ranch, owned and operated a sod farm and landscaping business, and employed by the US Postal Service for more than thirty years.
He is the Past President of the Platte County, Wyoming Fair Board, Past President of USPS Wheatland Local #2564, Past President of the Wyoming Paint Horse Association, National Committee Member of the Paint Horse Rules Committee, Past President of the 5th Battalion, 60th Infantry Association, and Chairman Emeritus of the Wyoming Veterans Commission. In 2004 he was the recipient of The Daughters of the American Revolution Medal of Honor, and in 2012 the recipient of the National Infantry Association Order of Saint Maurice. He has also received a Certificate of Civic Achievement and U.S. Postal Service Special Achievement Award for saving a child’s life. He provides counseling to returning veterans of foreign conflict, and coordinates and participates in local patriotic events, including giving speeches to encourage and increase awareness of patriotism.
First Lieutenant Frederick F. Godsey KILLED IN ACTION, 24 AUGUST 1967 TAY NINH PROVINCE, REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM INTERRED: NATIONAL CEMETERY, FORT SCOTT KANSAS
James Frederick Godsey was commissioned as an Infantry Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School class 1-66 on 14 January 1966. His first duty assignment was as a Special Forces Officer Detachment A-54, Company E, 7th Special Forces Group (Abn), 1st Special Forces, Fort Bragg.
His subsequent duty assignments were: Assistant Team Commander, Detachment A-321, Company A, 5th Special Forces Group (Abn); 1st Special Forces Group, US Army Pacific (RVN); Executive Officer, Detachment A-351, Company A, 5th Special Forces Group (Abn); 1st Special Forces, US Army Pacific (RVN); Enlisted Service: Company C (Abn), 4th Battalion 23d Infantry, 172 Brigade, Fort Richardson Alaska; USMC Basic Combat Training
His military education consists of: Infantry Officer Candidate School, Basic Airborne Training, Jungle Operations Course, US Army NCO Academy.
His military awards include: Distinguished Service Cross (May 1967), Silver Star Medal, Bronze Star Medal with V Device, Purple Heart 1 OLC, Air Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, RVN Campaign Medal with 60 Device
Second Lieutenant Jasper D. Sturdivant
Second Lieutenant Jasper Dean Sturdivant was commissioned as an Infantry Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School class 6-65 on 22 June 1965.
His subsequent duty assignments were: Platoon Leader, Co B, 35th Infantry, 3rd BDE, 25th Infantry Division RVN; Prior USMC
His military education consists of: OCS 6-65
His military awards include: Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously), Purple Heart, Good Conduct with 3 loops, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
BRIGADIER GENERAL JAY SCOTT GOLDSTEIN
Brig. Gen. Jay "Scott" Goldstein is the Mobilization Assistant to the Commander, 24th Air Force; Commander, Air Forces Cyber; and Commander, Joint Force Headquarters-Cyber, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. He is responsible for assisting the commander in providing Air Force Component and Combatant Commanders with trained and ready cyber forces which plan, direct and execute global cyberspace operations. Twenty-fourth Air Force and AFCYBER personnel build, operate, secure, defend and extend the Air Force portion of the Department of Defense global network. Joint Force Headquarters-Cyber personnel perform operational planning as part of coordinated efforts supporting Air Force Component and Combatant Commanders and, upon the approval of the President and/or the Secretary of Defense, the execution of offensive cyberspace operations. The general assists in leading the activities of two cyberspace wings and the 624th Operations Center, as well as the 5th Combat Communications Group.
General Goldstein began his military career in the U.S. Army and transferred to the U.S. Air Force in 1990. As a developmental engineer, he made significant contributions to intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems, earning 15 Air Force Scientific Achievement Awards. He was mobilized seven times to lead Secretary of Defense authorized space and cyberspace activities during operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Prior to his current assignment, General Goldstein was the Mobilization Assistant to the Commander, Space and Missile Systems Center, Air Force Space Command, Los Angeles Air Force Base, California.
In his civilian capacity, General Goldstein is an industry executive with extensive leadership and management experience as well as engineering expertise. He has published more than 100 peer-reviewed articles/book chapters and holds five U.S. patents on advanced topics in detection theory, information theory, data compression, ISR and communications systems.
Brigadier General Eric K. Little
Brigadier General Eric K. Little was commissioned as a Quartermaster Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School class 501-92 on 31 August 1992. His first duty assignment was as a Platoon Leader, 258th Quartermaster Support Company, Illinois Army National Guard, Beardstown, Illinois.
His subsequent duty assignments were: Operations Officer, 258th Quartermaster Support Company, Illinois Army National Guard, Springfield, Illinois; Platoon Leader, Detachment 1, 126th Maintenance Company, Illinois Army National Guard, Beardstown, Illinois; Supply and Service Officer, 232d Corps Support Battalion, Illinois Army National Guard, Springfield, Illinois; Commander, 3637th Maintenance Company, Illinois Army National Guard, Springfield, Illinois; Assistant Defense Movement Coordinator, Joint Force Headquarters-Illinois, Illinois Army National Guard, Springfield, Illinois; Executive Officer, 232d Corps Support Battalion, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Iraq; Executive Officer, 232d Corps Support Battalion, Illinois Army National Guard, Springfield, Illinois; Logistics Plans and Policy Officer, Joint Force Headquarters-Illinois, Illinois Army National Guard, Springfield, Illinois; Commander, 634th Brigade Support Battalion, Illinois Army National Guard, Sullivan, Illinois; Commander, 634th Brigade Support Battalion, Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan; Commander, 634th Brigade Support Battalion, Illinois Army National Guard, Sullivan, Illinois; Deputy United States Property and Fiscal Officer, Joint Force Headquarters-Illinois, Illinois Army National Guard, Springfield, Illinois; Commander, 65th Troop Command, Illinois Army National Guard, Springfield, Illinois; Chief of Staff, Joint Force Headquarters-Illinois, Illinois Army National Guard, Springfield, Illinois; United States Property and Fiscal Officer (Joint), National Guard Bureau, Springfield, Illinois; Chief of Staff, Joint Force Headquarters-Illinois, Illinois Army National Guard, Springfield, Illinois; Deputy Director J8 Programs, Analysis & Evaluation (PAE), National Guard Bureau, Arlington, Virginia.
His military education consists of: Basic Combat Training, Advanced Individual Training, Officer Candidate School, Quartermaster Officer Basic Course; Logistics Advanced Course, United States Army Command and General Staff College; United States Army War College.
Brigadier General Douglas A. Pritt
Pritt was commissioned as an Engineer Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School class 2-71 on 9 September 1971. His first duty assignment was a Platoon Leader in A Company, 1249th Engineering Battalion, Coos Bay, Oregon.
His subsequent duty assignments were as an Executive Officer B Company 1249th Engineer Battalion Dallas, Oregon. S-2 for HHC 1249th Engineer Battalion Salem, Oregon. Company Commander C Company 1249th Engineer Battalion in Albany, Oregon. Assistant S-3 HQ 130th Engineer Battalion in Hanau, Germany. S-3 549th Engineer Battalion in Schwetzingen, Germany. Contracting Officer HQ State Area Command in Salem, Oregon. Executive Officer HQ 1249th Engineer Battalion in Salem Oregon. Battalion Commander HQ 1249th Engineering Battalion in Salem Oregon. Executive Officer 41st Infantry Brigade in Tigard, Oregon. Deputy Commander 41st Infantry Brigade in Tigard, Oregon. Plans, Operations and Training Officer in Salem Oregon. United States Property and Fiscal Officer National Guard Bureau in Salem Oregon. Chief of Staff Oregon National Guard HQ State Area Command in Salem Oregon. Brigade Commander 41st Infantry Brigade Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix in Afganistan.
His military education consists of Engineer Officer Basic Course, Engineer Officer Advance Course, Security Manager/Installation Intelligence Course, Communications Security Custodian Couse, Plans, Programing, and Budgeting Course, Military Comptroller Course, Base Defense Acquisition Contracting Course Advance Base Defense Acquisition Contracting Course, Price Analysis Course, Government Contract Law Course, Defense Contract Negotiation Course, Command and General Staff College and Army War College.
His military awards include: the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal (5OLC), Army Commendation Medal (2OLC), Air Force Commendation Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (2OLC), Global War on Terrorist Service Medal, Afghan Campaign Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Component Training Ribbon (2OLC), Humanitarian Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal (2OLC), Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (7OLC), Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Medal, Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Oregon Distinguished Service Medal, Oregon Exceptional Service Medal, Oregon Meritorious Service Medal, Oregon Commendation Medal, Oregon 30 Year Faithful Service Medal, Oregon Emergency Service Medal, Oregon Superior Soldier Ribbon, Association of the US Army President’s Medal, US Army Engineer Association Bronze Order of the deFleury Medal, Louisiana Cross of Merit, Louisiana Emergency Service Ribbon, NATO Service Medal, Italian Campaign Ribbon for Service in Afghanistan, and Afghanistan Medal for Bravery.
Colonel Michael J. Baier USA Retired
Colonel Michael J Baier was commissioned as an Military Intelligence Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School class 2-74 on 19 April 1974. His first duty assignment was as the Communications Intelligence Staff Officer, G-2, HQ 1st Armored Division, Ansbach Germany.
His subsequent duty assignments include: Service Platoon Leader, 202nd Army Security Agency Company (Davison Support), 1st Armored Division, Katterbach, Germany; S-2, 1st Battalion/51st Infantry, 1st Armored Division, Crailsheim, Germany; S-2, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, Camp Howze, Korea; Commander, 332nd Anny Security Agency Operations Company (Forward), Camp Humphreys, Korea; Plans Officer, C-2/J-2, HQ Republic of Korea/US Combined Forces Command, US Forces-Korea, Seoul, Korea; Chief; Combat Support Branch, Soldier Support Center, Alexandria, Virginia; LTC Assignments Officer, MI Branch, US Army Personnel Center, Alexandria, Virginia; S-3, 524th Military Intelligence Battalion, Seoul, Korea; Language Branch Chief, United Nations Command Military Armistice Commission, Seoul, Korea; Commander, 524th Military Intelligence Battalion, Seoul, Korea; Joint Political/Military Planner for Korea, J-5, The Joint Staff, Pentagon; Commander, 500th Military Intelligence Group, Camp Zama, Japan; Military Attache, American Embassy, Canberra, Australia, with dual accreditation as Military Attache, American Embassy, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea; Director, Foreign Liaison, G-2, HQ US Army, Pentagon.
His military education consists of: Military Intelligence Officer Basic and Advance Courses; Tactical Intelligence Staff Officer Course; General Electronic Warfare and Cryptologic Officer Course; the Defense Language Institute, Monterey, California (Vietnamese/Hanoi Dialect, and Korean courses); US Army Foreign Area Officer Course; Republic of Korea Army College (as part of Northeast Asia Foreign Area Office In-country Training); US Army Command and General Staff College; US Armed Forces Staff College; US Army Senior Service College Fellowship, Republic of Korea Institute for Defense Analysis; US Army post-Senior Service College Fellowship as the US Army Member, The Senior Seminar, 40th Session, Foreign Service Institute, US Department of State.
His military awards include: Defense Superior Service Medal; Legion of Merit (2 awards); Bronze Star Medal; Defense Meritorious Service Medal (3); Meritorious Service Medal (7); Joint Service Achievement Medal; Joint Meritorious Unit Award; Meritorious Unit Citation; Army Good Conduct Medal; National Defense Service Medal (3); Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; Vietnam Service Medal (4); Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Ribbon (7); Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Citation; Vietnam Service Medal; Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge.
Colonel David J. Bolter
Colonel David J. Bolter was commissioned as a Finance Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School class 2-88 on 25 Feb 1988. His first duty assignment was as a Communications Platoon Leader, 513rd FA BN, Giessen GE.
His subsequent duty assignments were: Bn CESO, 513rd FA BN, Giessen GE, BN S2, 205th Fwd t th Support BN, Arden Hills MN, p BDE (CPX/SIM) Fort Sheridan IL, HHC Commander 757 Transportation BN, Milwaukee WI, Company Commander, 1151s t Transportation Company, Milwaukee WI, BN CESO, 757th Transportation BN Milwaukee WI, Group Signal Officer, 336th Transportation Group, Fort Sheridan IL, 03 Planner, 84th Training Command, Milwaukee WI, BN XO 31334th Infantry BN, Milwaukee WI, BDE S6, 640th RSG (OIF Deployment), S3 Plans Officer, 9th BDE, Beaver Dam WI, D/ROPS SPO 653rd RSG (OIF/OEF Deployment), 07 Plans Officer 86th Training Division, Fort McCoy WI, Division 04, 86th Training Division, Command Inspector General, 86th Training Division, Fort McCoy WI, Division 06 (twice) 86th Training Division, Fort McCoy WI.
His military education consists of: Signal Officer Basic Course, COMSEC Custodian Course, Transportation Advanced Course, CAS3, Signal Advanced Course, ALEDC (90A) Course, Defense Strategy Course, United States Army Command and General Staff College, and the DA Inspector General Course.
Colonel Gerald A. Boston, USA
Colonel Gerald A. Boston enlisted in the U.S. Army in April 1985, was promoted to staff sergeant in 1990 and upon graduation with class #03-91 from the U.S. Army Officer Candidate School, was commissioned an Armor Officer on May 31, 1991. His first duty assignment as a commissioned officer was as an M1A1 tank platoon leader in the 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 24th Infantry Division at Fort Stewart Georgia.
His subsequent duty assignments include; Company Executive Officer and later Scout Platoon Leader, 1-64 Armor, 2nd Brigade, 24th Infantry Division, Fort Stewart Georgia and Somalia (1992 to 1995); Brigade Plans Officer, 1st Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, the Republic of Korea (1995 to 1996); Assistant Operations Officer, later Bravo Company Commander (Banshee Six) and later Headquarters & Headquarters Company Commander (Hellcat Six), 1-67 Armor, 2nd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood Texas and Kuwait (1996 to 1999); Small Group Instructor (Armor Captain’s Career Course) and later Hotel Troop Commander (Hawk Six), 16th Cavalry Regiment, Fort Knox Kentucky (1999 to 2001); The Commanding General’s Aide-de-Camp and later Company/Team Observer Controller, U.S. Army Armor School & Center, Fort Knox Kentucky (2001 to 2002); Chief of Operations (G3 CHOPS), 24th Infantry Division and Fort Riley Kansas (2003 to 2004); Operations Officer (Dakota Three) and later Executive Officer (Dakota Five), 1-13 Armor, 3rd Brigade, 1st Armor Division, Fort Riley Kansas and Iraq (2004 to 2006); Joint Security Cooperation Planner, later Program Manager and later Campaign Plans Division Chief, Headquarters United States Southern Command, Miami Florida (2006 to 2009); Battalion Commander (Ghost Six), 2-7 Cavalry, 4th Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood Texas and Iraq (2009 to 2012); ACoS G5, XVIII Airborne Corps, Fort Bragg North Carolina and Afghanistan (2013 to 2014); Brigade Commander, USA-SATMO, Fort Bragg North Carolina (2014 to 2017); Deputy Director, Next Generation Combat Vehicle Cross Functional Team, Fort Benning Georgia (2017 to 2018).
His military education consists of the U.S. Army War College (Resident Course), the Joint and Combined Warfighting School, the U.S. Army Command and General Staff Officer’s Course (Resident Course), the Combined Arms and Services Staff School, the Cavalry Leader’s Course, the Infantry Officer’s Advanced Course, the Battalion Maintenance Officer’s Course, the Scout Platoon Leader’s Course, the Armor Officer’s Basic Course and the Primary Leadership Development Course.
Colonel Dan R. Brue II
Colonel Dan R. Brue II was commissioned a Signal Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School Class 1-96 on January 31, 1996. His first assignment was as a Platoon Leader and later Executive Officer with Alpha Company, 123d Signal Battalion, 3d Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Georgia.
His subsequent duty assignments include: Battalion Signal Officer (S6), 103d Military Intelligence Battalion, 3d Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Georgia; Executive Officer, 385th Signal Company, 54th Signal Battalion, Camp Doha, Kuwait; Company Commander, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 63d Signal Battalion Fort Gordon, Georgia; Company Commander, Alpha Company, 63d Signal Battalion, Fort Gordon, Georgia; Plans Officer, 335th Signal Command (Theater), East Point, Georgia and Camp Doha, Kuwait during Operation Iraqi Freedom; Combat Signal Trainer, National Training Center, Fort Irwin, California; Battalion Operations Officer (S3), 58th Signal Battalion, 516th Signal Brigade, Okinawa, Japan; Battalion Executive Officer, 58th Signal Battalion, 516th Signal Brigade, Okinawa, Japan; Chief, G6 Plans and Exercises Branch, United States Army Africa, Vicenza, Italy; Advisor to the Iraq Ministry of Defense Director General of Communications, United States Forces – Iraq, Baghdad, Iraq during Operation New Dawn; Chief, G6 Current Operations Branch, United States Army Africa, Vicenza, Italy; Deputy G3, 7th Signal Command (Theater), Fort Gordon, Georgia; Battalion Commander, 41st Signal Battalion, 1st Signal Brigade, Yongsan, South Korea; Deputy Commander, United States Army Cyber Protection Brigade, Fort Gordon, Georgia; Director of Operations (G3), 311th Signal Command (Theater), Fort Shafter, Hawaii.
He is a graduate of the United States Army War College Fellows Program and served as a Senior Service Fellow at The Sam Nunn School of International Affairs at the Georgia Institute of Technology. He is also a graduate of Command and General Staff College, Signal Captain’s Career Course, Combined Arms and Services Staff College, Signal Officer Basic Course, Air Assault School, and Airborne School.
Colonel Basil J. Catanzaro
Colonel Basil J. Catanzaro was commissioned as an Infantry Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School class 2-94 on14 April 1994. His first duty assignment a Platoon Leader in A Company, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Benning, GA.
His subsequent duty assignments were: Platoon Leader, 3rd US Infantry, The Old Guard, Fort Myer, VA; Assistant Operations Officer, 2nd Battalion,7th Calvary, l 51 Cavalry Division, Fort Hood TX; Adjutant, 2nd Battalion,7th Calvary, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood TX; Commander, B Company, 2nd Battalion,7th Calvary, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood TX; Team Leader, 96th Civil Affairs Battalion (Airborne), Fort Bragg, NC; Brigade S9, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, NC; Battalion Operations Officer, 96th Civil Affairs Battalion (Airborne), Fort Bragg, NC; Civil Liaison Team Chief, 95th Civil Affairs Brigade (Airborne), Fort Bragg, NC; Battalion Commander, 96th Civil Affairs Battalion (Airborne), Fort Bragg, NC; Director of Force Modernization (Civil Affairs), John F.Kennedy, Special Warfare Center and School (Airborne), Fort Bragg, NC; He is currently serving as the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) Support Team Chief to the National Counterterrorism Center, Washington D.C.
His military education consists of: Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, Airborne Course, Jumpmaster Course, Pathfinder Course, Bradley Leader Course, Mortar Leader Course, SERE-C, SERE 225, SERE 245, Ranger Course, Sub-Saharan Regional Studies Course, Civil Affairs Qualification Course, Command and General Staff College, and the National War College.
His military awards include: Legion of Merit, Bronze Star (2 OLC) Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (1 OLC) Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (3 OLC), Army Achievement Medal (1 OLC), Navy Achievement Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (w/Arrowhead), Combat Infantryman's Badge, Master Parachutist Bade w/ Bronze Service Star, Pathfinder Badge, Ranger Tab.
Colonel Juan I. Chavez
Juan I. Chavez was commissioned an Adjutant General Corps Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School Class 6-65 on 22 June 1965. His first duty assignment was as Administrative Officer, US Army John F. Kennedy Center for Special Warfare (Airborne), Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
His subsequent duty assignments include: Assistant S-1, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Republic of Vietnam; S-1, Company A, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Republic of Vietnam; Adjutant, US Army Troop Command, Camp Zama, Japan; Executive Assistant, Studies and Observations Group, Military Assistance Command Vietnam (MACSOG), Republic of Vietnam; Chief, Military Personnel Division, US Army Troop Support Command, St. Louis, MO.; Chief, Personnel Services Division, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, NC; Chief, Personnel Actions Division, XVIII Airborne Corps, Fort Bragg, NC; Career Program Manager, Officer Personnel Management Directorate, US Army Military Personnel Center, Alexandria, VA; Command Program Manager, Officer Personnel Management Directorate, US Army Military Personnel Center, Alexandria, VA; Adjutant General, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, NC; Battalion Commander, 14th Battalion, 4th Combat Support Training Brigade, Fort Jackson, SC; Assistant Chief of Staff, G-1, 1st Special Operations Command (Airborne), Fort Bragg, NC; Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, US Army Special Operations Command (Airborne), Fort Bragg, NC.
His military education consists of: Infantry Officer Candidate School; Adjutant General Corps Officers Advanced Course, US Command and General Staff College, and US Army War College. He earned a Bachelor of General Studies Degree from Chaminade University, Hawaii; and, a Master of Business Administration from Webster University, St. Louis, Missouri.
His military awards include: Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal (with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster), the Meritorious Service Medal (w/7 OLC); the Air Medal, the Joint Services Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal (w/1 OLC), the Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry w/Palm, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Master Parachutist Badge, the Special Forces Tab, and several other service medals/ribbons and foreign awards.
Colonel Chavez retired from active military service on I July 1992. He continues to serve as President of the Cape Fear Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA). The Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan military advocacy organization that works to support military officers and their families at every stage of life. MOAA plays an active role with Congress on behalf of the military community on issues that affect the career force, the retired community, and veterans of the uniformed services.
Colonel Abbas Dahouk
Colonel Abbas Dahouk was commissioned as a Field Artillery Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School Class 4-91 on 21 June 1991. His first duty assignment was as a Fire Support Officer with A Company, 3rd Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, NC.
His subsequent duty assignments were: Platoon Leader, and Battalion Intelligencer Officer with 3rd Battalion 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, Fort Bragg, NC; Operations Officer with 1/504 Parachute Infantry Regiment, Sinai, Egypt; Engineer Brigade Intelligence Officer with 1s t Infantry Division, Bamberg, Germany; Strategic Plans Officer, Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center and subsequently commanded D Company, 229th Military Intelligence Battalion, Monterey, CA; Foreign Area Officer, US Embassy of Muscat, Oman; Director of US- Saudi Mission Relations and Political-Military affairs, United States Military Training Mission, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Training and Programs Director for the UAE Armed Forces at the US Embassy of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Assistant Professor of Arabic and Persian-Farsi languages, Department of Foreign Languages, United States Military Academy of West Point, NY; Senior Military Advisor on Pakistan and Afghanistan Security Assistance for the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, Department of State, Washington, D.C.; Defense Attache at the US Embassy of Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; And lastly, Senior Military Advisor to the Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, Department of State, Washington, D.C.
His military education consists of: The Field Artillery Basic Course, Military Intelligence Transition and Advanced Courses, Defense Language Institute (Farsi) Course, Omani Joint Command and Staff College (CSC), Army War College, Airborne School, Air Movement Operations Course, Airborne Jumpmaster Course, Ranger School and the Defense Attache School.
Colonel Dahouk's military awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, National Intelligence Meritorious Unit Citation, Legion of Merit, King Salman of Saudi Arabia Military Appreciation Medal-1st Class, the Master parachutist Badge and the Ranger tab.
Colonel Wayne O. DeHaney
Colonel Wayne O. Dehaney was commissioned as a Quartermaster Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School class 1-94 on 27 January 1994. His first duty assignment was as an Operations Officer, 305th Quartermaster Company, Yongsan, South Korea
His subsequent duty assignments were : POL/ Water and Transportation Platoon Leader, 305th Quartermaster Company, Yongsan, South Korea; Supply and Service Officer, HHD 561st Corps Support Battalion, Fort Campbell, KY; Operations Officer, 102nd Quartermaster Company (POL), Fort Campbell, KY; Petroleum Operations Officer, 475th Quartermaster Group, Ferrel, PA; Logistics Plans Officer, Third US Army, Fort McPherson GA; Logistics Plans Officer, Third US Army, Camp Doha, Kuwait; Readiness Analyst, US Army Reserve Command, Fort McPherson GA; Plans and Operations Officer, 9th Mission Support Command, Fort Shafter, HI; Plans and Operations Officer, Office of the Deputy ChiefofStaffG-4, Washington DC; Chief, Concepts and Capabilities Branch, Office of the Deputy ChiefofStaffG-4, Washington DC; Support Operations Officer, 77th Sustainment Brigade, Fort Dix, NJ; Detailed Inspector General, US Army Reserve Command, Fort Bragg, NC; Command Inspector General, 316 Expeditionary Sustainment Command, Camp Arifjan, Kuwait; Detailed Inspector General, US Army Reserve Command, Fort Bragg, NC.
His military education consists of: Quartermaster Officer Basic Course; Quartermaster Officer Advanced Course; United States Army Command and General Staff College; United Nations Military Observer Course; Department of the Army Inspector General Course and United States Air War College.
Colonel Frederic D. Hyatt
Colonel Fred Hyatt was commissioned as an Ordnance Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School class #21 on 25 November 1953. His first duty assignment was with the 424th Ammunition Company, 184th Ammunition Battalion, 1st Ordnance Group, Ft. Sill, Oklahoma.
His subsequent duty assignments were: Military Assistance Advisory Group, Taiwan, Ammunition Advisor; Letterkenny Army Depot; Commander, Battery A, 2d Battalion, 1st Artillery, 4th Infantry Division, Ft. Lewis, Washington; Command Group, Army Material Command, Special Assistant; 4th Infantry Division Ammunition Officer (RVN); Executive Officer, 4th Division Support Command; Commander, 704th Maintenance Battalion; Operations Officer, Defense Atomic Support Agency; Deputy Chief, Stockpile Management Division; Foreign Security Assistance Program Officer, Korea; Pacific Command Battle Staff, Advisor; Chief, North Asia Security Assistance Plans and Programs Division; Commander, Nuclear and Surety Field Office; Chief, Nuclear and Fuse Division, Large Weapons Laboratory; Acting Chief of Staff, Picatinny Arsenal; Garrison Commander, Picatinny Arsenal.
His military education consists of: Officer Candidate School, Ordnance Ammunition Officers Supply Course, Guided Missile Maintenance Course, Ordnance Officers Career Course, Nuclear Weapons Course, Command and General Staff College, Army War College.
His military awards include: Legion of Merit (1967, 1968, 1975, 1982), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Republic of China Minister of Defense Citation
Colonel Anthony Kanellis
Colonel Anthony Kanellis was commissioned as a Transportation Officer upon graduation from Alabama Military Academy Officer Candidate School class of 1982. His first duty assignment was as a Platoon Leader. 307th Transportation Company (Heavy Helicopter), Birmingham, AL.
His subsequent duty assignments were: Aviation Staff Officer and later Flight Detachment Commander, 87th Maneuver Area Command. Birmingham, Alabama; Platoon Leader, Company B, 3d Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment, Waukesha, Wisconsin; Manpower Control Officer, Headquarters, United States Army Forces Command, Atlanta, Georgia; Manpower Analyst and later Operations Officer, Headquarters, United States Army Reserve Command, Atlanta, Georgia; Director of Reserve Components and later Deputy Jl and Headquarters Commandant, Special Operations Command, Atlantic Command. Norfolk. Virginia; Operations Research Analyst, Headquarters, Department of the Army, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, Washington, DC; LegislatiYe Affairs Officer, Office of the Chief. Army Reserve, Arlington, Virginia; Assistant Director, Enlisted Education Programs, Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, Washington, DC; Commander, Devens Reserve Forces Training Area, Devens, Massachusetts; Student. College of Naval Warfare, Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island; Senior Research Analyst and Team Leader, Commission on the National Guard and Reserves, Arlington. Virginia; Senior Policy Advisor. Office of the Chief, Army Reserve, Arlington, Virginia; and Special Assistant for Reserve Affairs. Headquarters, Department of the Army, Office of the Chief of Staff, Washington, DC.
His military education consists of: Infantry Officer Basic Course; Aviation Officer Advanced Course: Combined Am1s and Services Staff Course; United States Army Command and General Staff College; and the Naval War College.
Colonel William M. Knarr, Jr
Colonel William M. Knarr. Jr. was commissioned as a Military Intelligence Officer upon graduation from Infantry Officer Candidate School class 4-73 on 19 July 1973. His first duty assignment was as a Tactical Intelligence Instructor at the U.S. Army Intelligence Center and School, Fort Huachuca, Arizona.
His subsequent duty assignments included: Flight Section Commander, 120th Assault Helicopter Company, Fort Richardson, AK; Flight Operations Officer, 120th Assault Helicopter Company, Fort Richardson, AK; Commander, 452nd Military Intelligence Detachment, 172nd Infantry Brigade, Fort Richardson, AK; S2/Intelligence Officer, 3rd Aviation Battalion (Combat), 3rd Infantry Division, Kitzingen, Germany; Commander, 851st Army Security Agency Company, 3rd Infantry Division, Wurzburg, Germany; Commander, A Company, 103rd Military Intelligence Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division, Wurzburg, Germany; S3, 103rd Military Intelligence Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division, Wurzburg, Germany; Electronic Warfare Development Officer, Directorate of Combat Development, U.S. Army Aviation Center, Fort Rucker, AL; Chief, Senior Operations Research Analysis Branch, Directorate of Combat Development, U.S. Army Aviation Center, Fort Rucker, AL; Aviation Signals Intelligence/Electronic Warfare Officer, U.S. Army Intelligence Support Activity, Washington, DC; Chief, Intelligence/Operations Coordination Cell, U.S. Army Special Operations Agency, Pentagon, VA; Commander, 165th Military Intelligence Battalion, Darmstadt, Germany; Commander, Joint Intelligence Center, U.S. Special Operations Command, MacDill Air Force Base, FL; TRADOC Systems Manager, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Aerial Common Sensor, Training and Doctrine Command, Fort Huachuca, AZ.
His military education consists of: Electronic Warfare Officer Basic Course, Rotary Wing Aviator Course, Fixed Wing Multi-engine Qualification Course, Tactical Intelligence Staff Officer Course, Air Assault School, Airborne School, Military Intelligence Officer Advanced Course, Command and General Staff College, Air Command and Staff College, National War College.
His military awards include: Legion of Merit (2), Meritorious Service Medal (4), Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal (6), Senior Army Aviator Badge, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge.
Colonel (Hon.) Dean A. LeVay
Colonel LeVay graduated from Infantry OCS Class 20 on September 11, 1970. He was initially commissioned Infantry and returned to the Vietnam War as a platoon leader in the 173d Airborne Brigade.
The unit redeployed to CONUS at the end of 1971. He continued to serve as a platoon leader in the 2d Bn (Abn) 503d Infantry until re-branch to Air Defense Artillery in the summer of 1972. He spent the next eight years in Air Defense Artillery and successfully commanded three units in Korea and Europe. He resigned from the Army in order to attend law school in 1981 after an assignment with the Army Training Board which was then implementing sweeping reforms of the entire Army training system.
For the next 20 years he pursued parallel careers in the Department of Justice and in Army reserve components. He held numerous high level staff positions and commanded two battalions and a brigade in the Arizona Army National Guard. He was given a critical legislative affairs mission in Arizona while assigned as a promotable LTC in the State Headquarters. He drafted and successfully lobbied a bill through the State legislature that resulted in a dramatic increase in tuition assistance for all members of the Arizona Guard. He was awarded the Legion of Merit, promoted to Colonel and commanded the 98th Troop Command, a Brigade sized unit. He retired in 2000 with 33 years of military service.
His legal career began in 1984 as US Department of Justice, Immigration Law prosecutor. He became an Associate General Counsel at Immigration Naturalization Service (INS) Headquarters in Washington, DC. He was responsible for implementing a provision of the 1986 Immigration Reform Act calling for prison hearings for illegal aliens in all 50 States and expeditious deportation upon sentence completion. He was promoted to District Counsel in 1988 in Phoenix, Arizona and was chief legal advisor for all INS operations in Arizona and Nevada. He was appointed to Immigration Judge in 1994 and served on that bench until his retirement in 2004. Finally, he was Chief Law Enforcement Advisor at the UN Office of Drugs and Crime, Kabul, Afghanistan in 2007-2008.
His military education consists of: Basic Airborne Course; Infantry OCS; Special Forces Officer Course; Air Defense Forward Area Weapons Course; Jumpmaster Course; Air Defense Hawk Missile Officer Course; Air Defense Officer Advanced Course; Ranger School; Defense Language Institute; Military Police Officer Advanced Course (Reserve Component); Command and General Staff Officer Course (Reserve Component).
Colonel Gregory C. Meyer, Jr COL Gregory C. Meyer Jr. was commissioned from Officer Candidate School Class 2-90 as an Infantry Officer at Fort Benning, Georgia on 1 March 1990. His first duty station was Erlangen, Germany where he served as a Platoon Leader in A Company, 2-6 Infantry Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 1st Armored Division. His subsequent assignments were: Support Platoon Leader and Battalion Maintenance Officer in HHC, 1-30 Infantry Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division; Scout Platoon Observer Controller at the Combat Maneuver Training Center, Hohenfels, Germany; Military Intelligence Transition Course, Ft. Huachuca, Arizona; Assistant Operations Officer, G2, I Corps; Battalion S2 in HHC, 1-5 Infantry Battalion, 1st Brigade; A Company Commander, 125th Military Intelligence Battalion, 25th Infantry Division (Light), Fort Lewis, Washington; Military Intelligence Officer Proponent in the Office of the Chief, Military Intelligence; Deputy Division Chief of J2 Systems and the J2 Executive Officer, United States Forces Korea; Battalion XO, 3rd Military Intelligence Battalion (Aerial Exploitation) and Battalion S3 in the 527th Military Intelligence Battalion; Assistant Chief of Staff GS, Chief of Plans for 4th Infantry Division and Multi- National Division Baghdad; Commander, 14th Military Intelligence Battalion OIF 09-10; Joint Task Force 134, Multi-National Forces Iraq; lead counter-terrorism planner for South Asia at the National Counter- terrorism Center; Chief of Plans, CS, Combined Forces Command and United States Forces Korea, Republic of Korea; USCYBERCOM Liaison Officer to USAFRICOM, Stuttgart, Germany; and Chief of Plans, J2, United States Central Command, MacDill AFB, Tampa, Florida. His education consists of: Infantry officer Basic Course, Airborne School; Infantry Mortar Leaders Course; Bradley Commander's Course; Military Intelligence Transition Course; Military Intelligence Advanced Course; Signal Intelligence Officer's Course; Command and General Staff College; School for Advanced Military Studies; Joint Advanced Cyberspace Warfighting Course; and the National War College. He holds an undergraduate degree in Human Resources Management from Arizona State University, a Masters of Military Arts and Science from the School for Advanced Military Studies and a Masters of National Strategic Studies from the National War College.
Colonel Randolph M. Morgan
Colonel Randolph M. Morgan is a native of Tucson, Arizona. He was commissioned in 1995 from the Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia. Colonel Morgan earned a Bachelor of the Arts in History with a minor in Political Science from Northern Arizona University and a Master of the Arts in Organizational Leadership from Chapman University.
Colonel Morgan’s assignments include serving as Platoon Leader, Company Executive Officer and Battalion S4 for 1-23rd Infantry, Fort Lewis, WA; OPFOR Team Chief and Battalion S3 of 2-364th (TS), Fort Lewis, WA; S3A of 94th Military Police Battalion, Republic of Korea; Commander 18th Military Police Detachment (winner of the Brigadier General David H. Stem award), Fort Huachuca, AZ; Task Force J3 for JTF Guardian in Afghanistan; S3 for the 93D Military Police Battalion at Fort Bliss, TX, then deployed to Iraq; Force Protection Planner for the Standing Joint Forces Headquarters, USAFRICOM (Provost Marshal for JTF Odyssey Guard) and then Branch Chief, J343 Antiterrorism Operations at USAFRICOM; Provost Marshal, Second Infantry Division and as Director of Emergency Services (Area I), Republic of Korea; Deputy Chief of Staff, Maneuver Center of Excellence, Fort Benning, GA; Commander, Benning CID Battalion, Fort Benning, GA; and currently as Executive Director, Defense Forensic Science Center, Gillem Enclave, GA.
His military education includes the Infantry Officer Basic Course and Military Police Captains Career Course, Combined Armed Services Staff School, Intermediate Level Education, Joint Combined Warfighting School (JPME II); and the Joint Interagency and Multi-National Planners Course. Colonel Morgan has been selected to attend Senior Service College.
Colonel Morgan’s awards and decorations include: the Bronze Star Medal; the Defense Meritorious Service Medal; the Meritorious Service Medal (4 OLC); the Army Commendation Medal (3 OLC); the Joint Service Achievement Medal (3 OLC); the Army Achievement Medal (1 OLC); the Korean Defense Service Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal; Iraq Campaign Medal; the National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star; the Global War on Terrorism Medal; the Army Service Ribbon; the Overseas Service Ribbon (Numeral 4); the NATO Medal; the Joint Meritorious Unit Award (1OLC); the Meritorious Unit Commendation; the Parachutist’s Badge; the German Military Efficiency Badge in Silver; the German Marksmanship (Shutzenscnaur) Badge in Gold; the 9th Infantry Regiment “Manchu” belt buckle; the Cavalry Order of the Combat Spur; and the Order of the Marechaussee.
Colonel Randell G. Stansfield Colonel Randell G. Stansfield was commissioned as an Adjutant General Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School class 2-74 at Fort Benning, GA on 19 April 1974. His first duty assignment was as a Military Leadership Instructor/Tactical Officer for Officer Basic Course students at US Army Institute of Administration at Fort Harrison, Indiana.
His subsequent duty assignments were: Company Executive Officer, Aide de Camp, Instructor, Troop Command, Fort Harrison, IN; Commander, US Army Courier Station, American Embassy, Teheran, Iran; Chief, Personnel Management Branch, 1st ROTC Region, Fort Bragg, NC; Company Commander, 82nd Adjutant General Company, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, NC; Chief, Personnel Management Branch, Deputy Adjutant General/Executive Officer, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, NC; Operations Officer, 228 Postal Company, Frankfurt, Germany; Commander Regional Personnel Center, Wiesbaden; Adjutant General, 3d Support Command; Executive Officer to Commanding General, Wiesbaden Military Community, Wiesbaden, Germany; Chief, Military Personnel Division, 1st Special Operations Command; Executive Officer to Commanding General US Army Special Operations Command, Chief Military Personnel Operations, 18th Personnel Group, XVIII Airborne Corps; Division G1/Adjutant General, 82d Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, NC; Chief, Enlisted Career Management Field Branch, Total Army Personnel Command, Alexandria, VA; Battalion Commander, 516th Personnel Services Battalion, 8th Personnel Command, Yongsan, S. Korea; Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel/G1, US Army Pacific Command, Fort Shafter, HI.
His military education consists of: US Army Basic Training, Officer Candidate School, Basic Airborne Course, Jumpmaster School, Adjutant General Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, Military Personnel Officer Course, Basic Maintenance Course, Total Quality Management Course, US Air Force Air Command and Staff College, Joint Studies Education, Pre-Command Course, US Army War College.
His military awards include: Legion of Merit (2), Meritorious Service Medal (5), Joint Services Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (2), Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal (2), National Defense Service Medal (3), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (2), Humanitarian Service Medal (2), Overseas and Army Service Ribbons, Master Parachutist Badge, US Army Adjutant General Regimental Awards, Horatio Gates Bronze Medal (2), Horatio Gates Gold Medal. Australian and Peruvian Jump Wings, 82nd Airborne Century Wings.
Colonel Dennis C. Tomcik
Colonel Dennis Tomcik is the Chief of the Field Operations, Training and Exercise Branch for the Ohio Emergency Management Agency, a Division of the Ohio Department of Public Safety.
The Ohio Emergency Management Agency is responsible for emergency preparedness and response activities for the State of Ohio. As Field Operations Training and Exercise Branch Chief, Mr. Tomcik directs the frontline interface between the State and 88 local emergency management agencies during local and state level emergencies. Mr. Tomcik also directs the Training and Exercise Section and the statewide Disaster Logistics Support Program.
Under his direction, the Branch provides assistance to county emergency management agencies via Field Liaisons who are responsible for coordination with counties in 9 State Emergency Management Districts. He also directs the Training and Exercise Section, which designs, coordinates and participates in emergency exercises on a statewide basis. The section also provides statewide emergency management training. Mr. Tomcik serves on the First Responder Subcommittee of the State of Ohio Security Task Force. Mr. Tomcik directs the statewide Disaster Logistics Support Program, which coordinates with federal, state and local government personnel, business, industry, public service and related organizations statewide for the logistical support that may require the Strategic National Stockpile and other resources needed for natural disasters, technological emergencies and terrorism response.
Mr. Tomcik retired from the Ohio National Guard after 27 years of service, both active and National Guard, in 1997 serving as a Colonel in charge of Operations. In addition he commanded over 1,000 personnel and managed a state budget of 22 million dollars. While in the Ohio National Guard he also served as Commander of the Ravenna Arsenal and served as a member of a NATO team that assisted the entrance of the nation of Hungary into NATO.
Mr. Tomcik is a graduate of the University of New York with a Bachelor of Science in Sociology. He is also a graduate of the US Army's Command and General Staff College.
His military career includes two tours of duty in Vietnam where he served as an infantry Company Commander. In addition he is qualified as a US Army Airborne Ranger and received the following awards: two Distinguished Service Crosses, nine Bronze Stars, a Purple Hears and other awards for valor.
Colonel Stephanie D. Vaughn
Colonel Stephanie D. Vaughn was commissioned as a Chemical Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School class 1-91 on 18 January 1991. Her first duty assignment was as an Executive Officer in 3rd Corps Support Command, Wiesbaden, Germany.
Her subsequent duty assignments were: Platoon Leader, 95th Chemical Company, Vilseck, Germany; 03 Operations Officer, Headquarters, Southern European Task Force, Vicenza, Italy; Chemical Officer, 555th Engineer Group, Fort Lewis, WA; Company Commander, D Company, 82nd Chemical Battalion, Fort McClellan, AL; Company Commander, D Company, 82nd Chemical Battalion, Fort Leonard Wood, MO; Brigade Training Officer, 3rd Chemical Brigade, Fort Leonard Wood, MO; Senior Nuclear Engineer, Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, Bethesda, MD; Director of Operations, Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, Bethesda, MD; Nuclear Physicist, United States Army Nuclear and Combating Weapons of Mass Destruction Agency, Fort Belvoir, VA; Executive Officer Nuclear Posture Review, Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear and Missile Defense Policy, Pentagon, Washington, DC; Nuclear Threats Branch Chief, Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Fort Belvoir, VA; Deputy Director, Nuclear Technologies Department, Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Fort Belvoir, VA; and Acting Director, Nuclear Technologies Department, Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Fort Belvoir, VA.
Her military education consists of: Chemical Officer Basic Course; Chemical Officer Advanced Course; Army Medical Department Basic Course; Combined Arms Services and Staff School, United States Army Command and General Staff College; and the United States Army War College.
Colonel Aaron Wilkes Colonel Aaron Wilkes commissioned as an Adjutant General Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School on 19 September 1996. His first officer duty assignment was as a United States Army Reserve (USAR) Personnel Management Officer, 63rd Deputy Chief of Staff, Personnel (DCSPER) Officer Management, Los Alamitos CA.
His subsequent duty assignments were: Adjutant General Officer Basic Course Student, Adjutant General School, Ft. Jackson SC; Personnel Management Officer, 63rd DCSPER, Enlisted Branch, Los Alamitos CA; Company Commander, 729th Adjutant General Company (Postal), San Diego CA; Company Commander, 394th Adjutant General Company (Postal), Long Beach CA; Internal Review Auditor, 63rd Regional Support Command, Los Alamitos CA; Battalion Adjutant/Acting Executive Officer, 320 CS HHD Corp Battalion, Irvine CA; Equal Opportunity Advisor, 63rd Regional Support Command, Los Alamitos CA; C1, MITT Ops/Plans Officer, 1st ID Mobile Training & Transition Team, Camp Victory, Iraq; Command Public Affairs Officer, 63rd Regional Support Command, Los Alamitos CA; Equal Opportunity Program Manager, 79th Sustainment Support Command, Los Alamitos CA; Human Resource Plans Officer, HQs US Army Japan, Camp Zama, Japan; Battalion Commander, 363rd Regiment 3rd Battalion (CS CSS), Los Alamitos CA; Chief Advanced Officer Training, Soldier Support Institute, Ft. Jackson SC. His current assignment is as the Assistant Chief of Staff G-1 for the 311th Signal Command Headquarters (Theatre) at Ft. Shafter, Hawaii.
His military education consists of: Adjutant General Officer Basic Course; Civil Affairs Officer Advanced Course, Combined Arms Services and Staff School (CAS3), Command and General Staff College; Human Resources Management Qualification Course; Intermediate Level Education, United States Army Command and General Staff College; United States Army War College; and Joint Combined Warfighting School (JCWS) JPME-II Joint Forces Staff College.
Colonel Harold W. Youmans
Colonel Harold W. Youmans was commissioned as an Infantry Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School Class 67-57 on 5 October 1967. His first duty assignment a Public Safety Officer in the 96th Civil Affairs Group at Fort Lee, Virginia.
His subsequent duty assignments were: Engineer Officer, 29th Civil Affairs Company, 3rd Marine Amphibious Force, Republic of Vietnam; Commander, Company C, 2nd Battalion, 36th Infantry, 3rd Armored Division. Federal Republic of Germany (FRG); Training Officer, S-3, 1st Brigade, 3rd Armored Division, FRG; Executive Officer, G-3, Headquarters, 3rd Armored Division, FRG; Commander, Company D, 5th Battalion, 2nd BCT Brigade, Fort Dix, NJ; Security Officer, S-2, 1186th Transportation Terminal Unit, Tampa, FL; Assistant Professor of Military Science, ROTC, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL; Chief, Psychological Operations (PSYOPS) Division, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff (ODCSOPS-OD), HQDA, Washington, DC; Staff Officer, PSYOP Division, J-3, Joint Staff, Washington, DC; Chief of Policy and Concepts, SOJ-9, Headquarters, United States Special Operations Command, MacDill AFB, FL.
His military education consists of: Civil Affairs Officers Course, Psychological Operations Course, Quartermaster Officer Advance Course, International Information Course, United Kingdom Ministry of Defense, U.S. Air Force Special Operations School Joint Psychological Operations Course, Command and General Staff College (Honor Graduate), and U.S. Army War College.
His military awards include: DOD Superior Service Medal, Bronze Star, Joint Meritorious Service Medal, Army Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (with ‘V’ Devise - with I OLC), Army Commendation Medal (with I OLC), Good Conduct Medal, National Service Defense Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal with four stars, Reserve Components Achievement Medal (with 10 year devise), Armed Forces Reserve Medal, U.S. Army Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Staff Identification Badge, Joint Staff Identification Badge, and the Combat Infantryman’s Badge.
In November 2018 by order of the Secretary of the Army, Colonel Youmans was inducted as a Distinguished Member of the Civil Affairs Regiment at the U.S. Army Special Operations Center and School, Fort Bragg, NC.
Captain Edwin C. Jackson DECEASED, 26 MAY 2007 INTERRED: FLORIDA NATIONAL CEMETARY, BUSHNELL, FLORIDA
Edwin C. Jackson was commissioned as an Infantry Officer upon graduation from Infantry Officer Candidate School Class #254 on 14 June 1943. His first duty assignment was with the 42nd Infantry Division at Camp Gruber, Oklahoma where he served as part of the original cadre of officers.
His subsequent duty assignments were: Rifle Platoon Leader, Company Commander and S-3 Officer with the 3rd Battalion, 314th Infantry Regiment, 79th Infantry Division; Inspection and Training Officer with the 101st Airborne Division and 2nd Army Headquarters.
His military awards include: Silver Star Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, American Theater Campaign Medal, European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with Silver Campaign Star, World War II Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp, National Defense Service Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Presidential Unit Citation (3rd Battalion, 314th Infantry Regiment) and French Croix de Guerre with Palm (79th Division).
Headquarters 79th Infantry Division, APO 79, U. S. Army, General Orders Number 35, 5 March 1945
Award of Silver Star. Pursuant to authority contained in AR .600-45, the Silver Star is awarded to Captain EDWIN C. JACKSON, 01321039, Infantry, 314th Infantry, United States Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy on 9 December 1944 in France. When Captain Jackson received an order for an attack, he conducted a personal reconnaissance of the terrain and enemy positions in his company’s area of attack. At the appointed time he led his company in the attack on the enemy position, routing two enemy companies, taking 30 prisoners and killing 24 enemy. During the attack Captain JACKSON was wounded but refused evacuation until the company’s mission was accomplished. His outstanding leadership and devotion to duty reflect highest credit upon himself and the armed forces of the United States.
Captain Stephen M. Orlofsky
The Honorable Stephen M. Orlofsky was commissioned as an Artillery Officer upon graduation from Artillery and Missile Officer Candidate School Class 1-67 at Fort Sill, OK on 17 December 1966. His first duty assignment was as a Platoon Leader, Battery D, 3rd Battalion, 84th Artillery, Neckarsulm, Federal Republic of Germany (FRG).
His subsequent duty assignments were: Battery Commander, Battery A, 3rd Battalion, 84th Artillery, Neckarsulm, FRG; Assistant S-3, 56th Artillery Group, Schwaebisch Gmeund, FRG; and Pershing Equipment Readiness Firing Evaluation Countdown Training (PERFECT) Team member, 56th Artillery Group, Schwaebisch Gmeund, FRG.
His military education consists of: Artillery and Missile Officer Candidate School and the Pershing Missile Officer Course
Following his military service, Judge Orlofsky graduated from City College of New York with a BA and from Rutgers University Law School - Camden with a JD with honors, served as a law clerk for the United States District Chief Judge, and was then selected to be a United States Magistrate Judge, where he served until 1980. After several years in private practice, Judge Orlofsky was appointed to the Federal bench as a United States District Judge for the District of New Jersey by President Clinton in 1995, where he served until retiring and returning to private practice in 2003. Prior to leaving the Federal Bench in 2003, Judge Orlofsky served as one of three federal judges on a thirteen-member Judicial Assessment Team which traveled to Iraq to evaluate the Iraqi judicial system and assist the Coalition Provisional Authority in reconstructing the Iraqi court system. Judge Orlofsky is the administrative partner at the Princeton, NJ office of Blank Rome, a law firm with 13 offices and more than 600 attorneys and principals; and he leads the firm’s appellate practice.
Captain Patrick C. Polis
Oldest of 4 children. Parents are first generation American, grandparents are immigrants.
Drafted in January 1966. Completed basic and AIT, assigned to Signal OCS, Ft Gordon, GA. Graduated in class 2-67 on January 12, 1967. Completed 7-1/2 years of active duty. Discharged as a Reserve Officer on active duty. Platoon Leader, Company Commander, Battalion S-3, Brigade Readiness Officer. Two tours in Vietnam.
Completed 17 years in business, holding management positions in international purchasing, transportation and distribution, operations, and production. Plant manager, president of a small business, executive VP of a $60 million conglomerate consisting of Case Knife, Cutlery World, Parker Brothers and Parker Distribution. President and CEO of Cutlery World, a $30 million retail cutlery chain with 140 stores in 39 states.
Board President, Wesley House Community Center, Board President Midway Rehabilitation Center, Board member Compassion Coalition off Knoxville, Board Member Buffat Trace Homeowners Association, Supervisory Committee of Holston Methodist Federal Credit Union, Executive Officer of Cub Pack 213 and Boy Scout Troop 213.
Chaplain, Knoxville Police Department. Chaplain, Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1078.
Ordained Deacon in the United Methodist Church, June 1992. Ordained Elder in 1996.
Three pastoral appointments: New Life UMC [11 years], Hillcrest UMC [6 years] and Washington Pike UMC [9 years]. All three appointments required revitalization.
Certified Church Consultant, Certified DISC behavior assessment facilitator, Certified John Maxwell Team Member.
Married June 1970 to wife Gayle. Three adult children [all married] and 6 grandchildren.,
Captain Ronald A. Radcliffe
Captain Ronald A. Radcliffe was commissioned a Second Lieutenant Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School Class 502-68 54th Company on May 2nd, 1968.
Racliffe was awarded The Distinguished Service Cross for his heroic actions on 28 April 1972 as a LOH pilot. He was also chosen as Aviator of the Year for 1971-1972.
His military education consists of: Officer Candidate School (1968), Army Aviation Flight School (1969)
His military awards include: Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross (5OLC), Bronze Star (1 OLC), 59 Air Medals with one “V Device,” two Army Commendation Medals, Purple Heart (3 OLC), Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry (1 OLC), Vietnam Campaign Medal. Army Aviator of the Year, 1972
Captain William W. Walker
William Wayman Walker was commissioned as an Infantry Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School class 6-65 on 22 June 1965.
His subsequent duty assignments were: Company A, Det B-33 (Hon Quan) 5th Special Forces Group, Vietnam
His military education consists of: Officer Candidate School, Special Forces Pre Deployment, Airborne
His military awards include: Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Six Distinguished Flying Crosses, Two Bronze Stars, 59 Air Medals with one “V Device,” two Army Commendation Medals, Four Purple Hearts, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, two Vietnamese Crosses of Gallantry, Vietnam Campaign Medal. Army Aviator of the Year, 1972
Lieutenant Colonel Ace Alan Cozzalio
Ace A. Cozzalio was commissioned as an Armor Officer upon graduation from Armor Officer Candidate School Class 4-67, Company E2 at Fort Knox, Kentucky on 27 January 1967. His first duty assignment has not been able to be determined.
His subsequent duty assignments include: Student - Officer Rotary Wing Aviator Course, Flight Class 67-18 -Fort Wolters, Texas and Fort Rucker, Alabama, Longknife Platoon (UH-1 Huey) -Troop D, 3rd Squadron, 5th Cavalry, 9th Infantry Division - IV Corps Republic of South Vietnam, Patient -106th General Hospital, Aero Scout Section Leader (Cayuse OH-6)-Troop D, 3rd Squadron, 5th Cavalry, 9th Infantry Division -IV Corps Republic of South Vietnam, Commander Aero Weapons Platoon (Cobra AH-IG)-Troop D, 3rd Squadron, 5th Cavalry, 9th Infantry Division -IV Corps Republic of South Vietnam, Student -Armor Officer Advanced Course -Fort Knox, Kentucky, S-1 -1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division -Fort Riley, Kansas, Troop Commander -D Troop, 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kansas, Student - Aviation Safety Course -San Pedro, California, Special Services Officer –Thailand, Rotary Wing Section Leader –Thailand, Rotary Wing Section Leader/Safety Officer –Thailand, Bachelor of Arts Student -Business Administration -Sul Ross State University -Alpine, Texas, Area Commander -New Haven District Recruiting Command -Providence, Rhode Island, Area Commander -Springfield Recruiting Command -Springfield, Massachusetts, S-3 -501st Aviation Battalion, 1st Brigade, 1st Armored Division - Katterbach, Germany, Commander-Company B (Attack)- 501st Aviation Battalion, Ist Brigade, Ist Armored Division - Katterbach, Germany, Student-United States Army Command and General Staff College-Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, Director of Instruction - Headquarters Reserve Officer Training Corps, Senior Program -University of Southern Mississippi - Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Commander -4th Aviation Training Battalion -Fort Rucker, Alabama.
Lieutenant Colonel Cozzalio contracted the Epstein Barr virus during military exercises and was medically retired on 28 April 1986 and returned to the family ranch in Oregon to live. In 1992 he was required to live in Portland, Oregon to be available for a heart transplant. A transplant was performed on 28 April 1993. The transplant was not successful and he died on 30 April 1993.
Lieutenant Colonel Cozzalio is a graduate of the United States Anny Armor Officer Candidate School, Officer Rotary Wing Aviator Course, Armor Officer Advanced Course, Anny Aviation Safety Course, Aviation Commanders Course, Aviation Refresher Training Course, Headstart German Course, Command and General Staff College and the Air Assault Course.
His military awards include the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross (3 Oak Leaf Clusters), Soldiers Medal, Bronze Star Medal (1 Oak Leaf Cluster), Purple Heart (1 Oak Leaf Cluster), Meritorious Service Medal (1 Oak Leaf Cluster), Air Medal (48 awards, one with V Device), Anny Commendation Medal, Anny Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal (1 Silver Star and 1 Bronze Star), Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, Valorous Unit Award (1 Oak Leaf Cluster), Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Medal Unit Citation Badge (2 Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Master Anny Aviator Badge, Air Assault Badge, Cambodian Crew Chief Wings, Expert (Rifle, Pistol).
Lieutenant Colonel Cozzalio was inducted into the Legion of Valor in 1972.
Lieutenant Colonel Ilmars H. Dambergs
Lieutenant Colonel Ilmars H. Dambergs was commissioned as an Infantry Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School class 5-56 on 29 May 1956. His first duty assignment was a Platoon Leader, Company C, 12th Armored Infantry Battalion, 2nd Armored Division, USAREUR, Worms, Germany.
His subsequent duty assignments were: Electronics Officer, 10th Ordnance Battalion, Pirmasens, Germany; Ordnance Ammunition/Storage Officer, 82nd Ordnance Battalion Dahn, Germany; Platoon Leader/Executive Officer, Company D, 2nd Battalion, 39th Infantry; Communications Platoon Leader/Battle Group Communications Officer; Commanding Officer, Company D, 2nd Battle Group, 39th Infantry, all with 4th Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, WA; Infantry Officer Career Course, US Army Infantry Center, Fort Benning, GA; completion of Ranger and Airborne courses, Fort Benning, GA; Student Military Assistance and Training Advisor course, US Army Special Warfare School, Fort Bragg, NC; Senior Advisor, 22nd Ranger Battalion, II Corps, Pleiku, South Vietnam; Ranger Training Advisor, Duc My Ranger Training Center, South Vietnam; Student, US Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, KS; Assistant Secretary General Staff, HQ Third United States Army, Fort McPherson, GA; Assistant G1, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, KY, Bien Hoa and Camp Eagle, South Vietnam; Executive Officer, 187 Airborne Infantry; Assistant Secretary General Staff, XXIV Corps, Phu Bai, South Vietnam; Chief, Tactics Committee, 3rd Advanced Infantry Training Brigade, Fort Polk, LA; Chief, Individual Training Branch; Infantry Staff Officer, Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations, US Army Europe; Chief, Operations Section, US Army Europe REFORGER Coordination Group, Heidelberg, Germany; Chief, Concepts and Studies Division, US Army Institute of Military Assistance, Fort Bragg, NC; Operations Research Analyst, Deputy Study Director, Total Army Annual Studies, Combat Arms Functional Area Specialist and Analysts, all with US Army Concepts Analysis Agency, Bethesda, MD.
His military education consists of: 7th US Army Weapons Assembly Course, Communications Officer Course, Infantry Officer Career Course, Military Assistance and Training Advisor Course, Associate Command and General Staff Course, National Security Management Advisor Course.
His military awards include: Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal with V Device (3 OLC), Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal (2 OLC), Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal with V Device (1 OLC), Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal (7 OLC), Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Combat Infantry Badge, Ranger Tab, Parachute Badge, Meritorious Unit Citation, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Silver Star, Republic of Latvia Three Star Order, Vietnamese Ranger Badge, Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Unit Citation.
His military awards include: Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal with V Device (3 OLC), Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal (2 OLC), Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal with V Device (1 OLC), Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal (7 OLC), Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Combat Infantry Badge, Ranger Tab, Parachute Badge, Meritorious Unit Citation, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Silver Star, Republic of Latvia Three Star Order, Vietnamese Ranger Badge, Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Unit Citation.
Lieutenant Colonel Orlando J. Illi Jr.
Mr. Illi was commissioned as an Armor Officer on 22 February 1978 upon completion of the U.S. Army Officer Candidate School (OCS) Branch Immaterial Officer Candidate Course (BIOCC) Class 1-78. He attended Armor Officer Basic at Ft Knox, KY and was assigned as an Armored Cavalry Troop Executive Officer upon graduation.
He was subsequently assessed into the Army Acquisition Corps in 1991 following his 1980 Branch Transfer to the Ordnance Corps. His military assignments included Assistant Product Manager for Night Vision Devices, where he was awarded the 1987 Night Vison Laboratory Employee of the year for his work on the AN/PVS-7 Night Vision Goggle, Brigade S4, Technical Director of the Army Ordnance School Knowledge Engineering Group, where he was awarded the 1993 American Defense Preparedness Association Award for Excellence in Artificial Intelligence Applications for his development of the Turbine Engine Diagnostic Program for the M1 Abrams Turbine Engine; followed by an appointment to the Staff and Faculty of the Defense Systems Management College. He retired from active duty at the Rank of LTC on 1 April 1997. In November 1999 Mr. Illi entered Federal Civilian Service as a GS-15 and was appointed as the Deputy Product Manager for the newly Chartered U.S. Army Medical Communications for Combat Casualty Care (MC4) Program Management Office. MC4 is a multi-functional Automated Information Technology System with a Life Cycle Cost of @ 1.5 Billion Dollars (FY08 Dollars) that provides a streamlined lifelong electronic health record (EHR) from the front-lines and includes a secure, bidirectional real time automated link between DOD and the Veterans Administration. MC4 also provides a more streamlined medical logistics system and enhances situational awareness for Army tactical forces. During his 15 year Tenure as Program Deputy PM, MC4 received an unprecedented 3 DOD Chief Information Officer (CIO) Awards for Excellence (2006, 2008 and 2011). In 2008 the MC4 Program was awarded the U.S. Army Superior Unit Award; the first Army Product Management and the fifth Army Acquisition Organization ever to achieve this recognition. Also, in 2008, MC4 concurrently was awarded the U.S. Army Acquisition Corps Finalist Team Award. In 2009 MC4 was awarded the Major Jonathan Letterman Medical Excellence Award and was also awarded the U.S. Army Acquisition Excellence Information Enabled Team Award. Furthermore, in 2014 MC4 was the first recipient of the Government Excellence in Health IT award.
His military decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Army Meritorious Service Medal (w/4 OLC), Army Commendation Medal (w/ 4 OLC) and Army Achievement Medal. His individual Army Civilian Service Awards include Army Meritorious Civilian Service Award (MCSA), Armed Forces Civilian Service Medal for Hurricane Katrina Support and the Army Achievement Medal for Civilian Service. In 2009 he was awarded the Order of Military Medical Merit (O2M3) and received the distinction of being a Finalist for the Samuel J. Heyman Service to America National Security and International Affairs Medal. In 2012 he was awarded the Presidential Physical Fitness Award.
His Army Civilian Service Team Awards include: 2006 U.S. Army Acquisition Excellence Award (MC4), 2006 DOD CIO’s Team Award (MC4 -1st Award), 2008 U.S. Army Superior Unit Award (MC4), 2008 DOD CIO’s Team Award (MC4 2nd Award), 2008 U.S. Army Acquisition Excellence Finalist Team Award (MC4), 2009 U.S. Army Acquisition Excellence Information Enabled Team Award (MC4), 2009 Major Jonathan Letterman Medical Excellence Award (MC4), 2011 DOD CIO’s Team Award (MC4 - 3rd Award), 2011 Association of Military Surgeons of the United States Top Team IT award (MC4), 2011 Fed 100 Team Award (MC4), 2014 Excellence in Health IT award (MC4 first recipient).
Lieutenant Colonel Michael S. McDaniel
Lieutenant Colonel Michael S. McDaniel was commissioned as a Tennessee National Guard Officer upon graduation from Tennessee Military Academy on 26 July 1969. He was commissioned as a Military Police Officer in July 1970 after transferring to the United States Army Reserve. His first duty assignment was as Assistant Enclosure Commander, 401st Military Police Camp, Nashville, Tennessee.
His subsequent duty assignments were: Supply Officer, 401st Military Police Camp, Nashville, Tennessee; Company Commander, 401st Military Police Camp, Nashville, Tennessee; S4, 401st Military Police Camp, Nashville, Tennessee; S3, 401st Military Police Camp, Nashville, Tennessee; S2, 401st Military Police Camp, Nashville, Tennessee; Camp Executive Officer, 401st Military Police Camp, Nashville, Tennessee; Camp Executive Officer, 401st Military Police Camp, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia;
His military education consists of: Military Police Officer Basic Course, Military Police Advanced Course, Training Supervisor’s Workshop, Command and General Staff College, Military Intelligence Officer Basic Course, Adjutant Generals Officer Advanced Course, Quartermaster Branch Qualification Course, Mobilization Planning Course, Civil Affairs Officer Course.
His military awards include: Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal (1 OLC), Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal with Bronze Hour Glass, National Defense Service Medal with One Service Star, Southwest Asia Service Medal with Three Bronze Service Stars, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon, Kuwait Liberation Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia), Army Meritorious Unit Citation.
Lieutenant Colonel Grady A. Smith
Grady A. Smith was commissioned an Infantry Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School, Class 6-65 on June 22, 1965. His first duty assignment was Platoon Leader, 2nd Battalion, 504th PIR, 82nd Airborne Division, Dominican Republic. His subsequent duty assignments include: BN S2, Fort Lewis WA, 6th BN, 31st IN, Commander, Co D, Republic of Vietnam 6th BN, 31st IN, Instructor, Fort Benning, GA IMD USAIS, Staff Officer Theater Army SPT Command USAREUR, Germany, Race Relations Staff Officer, Theater Army Spt Cmd USAREUR, Germany, Race Relations Staff Officer, Fort Sheridan, IL, Recruiting Command, Branch Chief, Washington, DC, Adjutant General Center, Staff Officer, LDRSHP DIV, HR Directorate ODCSPER, HQDA, Executive Officer, US Army Center of Military History Washington DC.
Dr. Grady Smith graduated from the following military schools: Basic/ Advanced Training Ft Gordon, GA 1964, Infantry Officer Candidate School 6-65 Ft Benning, GA 1965, Ranger and Airborne School Ft Benning, GA 1965, Infantry Officer Advanced Course Ft Benning, GA 1971, Defense Language Institute-German Presidio of Monterey CA 1972, Defense Equal Opportunity MNGT Institute Patrick AFB, FL 1973, Command and Staff College Ft Leavenworth, KS 1977.
Dr. Grady Smith's Military Awards and Decorations include: Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star N Device and Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal/I OLC, Army Commendation Medal/2 OLC, Purple Heart and CIB. His current status is retired, however he serves as Regimental Historian for the 31st Infantry Regiment Association. He acted in the following capacity following retirement: Playwright-in-Residence, St Louis Actors Ensemble St Louis, MO, Adjunct Professor, Playwriting, Washington University St Louis, MO, Adjunct Professor, George Mason University Fairfax, VA, Drama Critic, Intermission Magazine St Louis, Washington DC, Actor, Off Broadway NYC; Folger Theater Washington DC, Published Author Washington DC
Dr. Grady Smith is currently serving as Historian, 31st Infantry Regiment Association. In July 2018, his book, "The 31st Infantry Regiment: A History of America's Foreign Legion in Peace and War," which he edited and co-authored, was published by McFarland and Company, Jefferson, NC. The work details the first century of the 31st Infantry Regiment's service to our Nation.
He has authored and published two additional books: --"Blood Chit," Apippa Publishing Company, Riverside Park, MD, a novel about PTSD in a Vietnam War setting. --"Travel Abroad: Frulovisi's Peregrinatio." This academic book provides the first translation of the earliest humanist comedy written in England (1437) from Latin into English, and was published by Medieval and Renaissance Texts and Studies at the Arizona Center for Medieval Studies.
Major Laurence M. Kerr Major Laurence M. Kerr was commissioned as an Infantry Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School Class 6-65 on June 22, 1965. His first duty assignment was as Infantry Platoon Leader, 82d Airborne Division, Dominican Republic.
His subsequent duty assignments were: Platoon Leader, 101st Airborne Division, Vietnam; A Team Leader 6th Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg, NC; Commander, Kontum Mike Force, Vietnam; Commander, Basic Training Company, Fort Bragg, NC; G1 Staff Officer, VII Corps, USAREUR, Germany His subsequent duty assignments as a civilian, following Honorable Discharge, US Army, August 1, 1974 were; Registered Representative, Merrill Lynch, New York, Tucson, AZ; Vice Consul Consultant General, Guadalajara; Vice Consul, American Embassy, Singapore; Consul, American Embassy, Guatemala; Vietnam Desk Officer, Department of State, Washington, DC; Deputy Director, Citizens Consular Services, Washington, DC; Consul General, American Embassy, Santiago, Chile; Deputy Chief of Mission, American Embassy, Tbilisi, Georgia; Minister Counselor for Economic Affairs, Mexican Embassy, Mexico; Associate Professor, National Defense University, Washington DC.
His current status is retired, Flag Officer Equivalent, from the US Department of State. He served in the following capacity following retirement; Lecturer, Military Thought, National Defense University, Washington, DC; Lecturer, Terrorism, Inter-American Defense College, Washington, DC; Lecturer, American Foreign Policy, University of Americas, Puebla, Mexico; Teacher, History/Government, West Sound Academy, Poulsbo, WA.
Laurence M. Kerr is a graduate of the following civilian institutions: Bachelor Arts, English Literature, Miami University; Master Science, International Relations, Troy State University.
Laurence M. Kerr graduated from the following military Schools: Infantry Officer Candidate School 6-65, Fort Benning, GA; Ranger Course, 9-65, Fort Benning, GA. Airborne Course, 10-65, Fort Benning, GA; Special Forces Orientation Course, 9-68, US Army Special Warfare School, Fort Bragg, NC; Infantry Officers Advance Course, 71-3, Fort Benning, GA.
His military awards include: Purple Heart Medal, Bronze Medal (V device), Bronze Star Medal (2 OLC), Meritorious Service Medal.
His Department of State Awards include: Superior Honor Award, Meritorious Honor Award (4), Secretary’s Career Achievement Award, Sinclaire Award for Excellence in Foreign Language, Senior Performance Award.
Major Edward W. Spinaio DECEASED, 16 APRIL 1992 INTERRED: HAWAII VETERANS CEMETERY, KAAAWA, HAWAII
Major Edward W. Spinaio was commissioned a Second Lieutenant Infantry Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School Class 1-66 on January 14th, 1966. His first duty assignment was a Special Forces Officer Company E, 7th Special Forces Group (Abn), 1st Special Forces, Fort Bragg, NC.
His subsequent duty assignments were: XO, Det A-429, 5th Special Forces Group 1st Special Forces, UARPAC (RVN) Chief, Patrolling Sub Com, Command Group Company, AIT Brigade USATAC Ft. McClennan, Sr. Advisor, 34th Ranger BN CMD, US Military Assistance RVN Bn Advisor, III CTZ (CI), US Military Assistance Command (SD 5911) RVN, Recon Company Commander, 5th Special Forces Group, 1st Special Forces, Asst Bn XO, HHC 4th Bn, 1st Basic Combat Training Brigade, Fort Ord, CA, Company Commander, A Co, 4th BN, 1st Combat Training Brigade, Fort Ord, CA, Student Officer, 20th Company, 2d Student Bn TSB, Fort Benning, GA, Project Officer (USA Inf HRU) 72d Company, 7th Student BN, TSB, Fort Benning, GA, Student Officer, Student Det HQs, 5th US Army, Fort Sam Houston TX. Major Spinaio was also assigned as the Special Assistant to the Commander, 267th Chemical Company, Johnson Island Atoll in the North Pacific from 1975-1976
His military education consists of: Infantry Officers Advance Course class 5-71, Army Ranger Training, Jungle Operations Course, University of Nebraska at Omaha.
His military awards include: Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Stars (2), Bronze Stars ( 2 OLC), Purple Heart (2 OLC), Soldiers Medal, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (Silver Star), Parachute Badge, Ranger Tab, Master Parachute Badge, and Vietnam Jump Wings.
Major John Synowsky
Synowsky was commissioned as an Infantry Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School class 29-43 on 3 February 1943. His first duty assignment was a Platoon Leader in C Company, 18th Infantry Regiment in the European Theatre of Operations.
His subsequent duty assignments were: Platoon Leader in Foxtrot Company, 18th Infantry Regiment in the European Theatre of Operations. Executive Officer in Golf Company, 18th Infantry Regiment in the European Theatre of Operations. Company Commander in Echo Company, 18th Infantry Regiment in the European Theatre of Operations. Company Commander Echo 393rd Infantry Regiment in the European Theatre of Operations. Company Commander Hotel Company 9th Infantry Regiment at Fort Lewis, Washington. Company Commander of Delta Company 53rd Infantry Regiment at Fort Lewis, Washington. Company Commander Mike Company 4th Infantry Regiment at Fort Lewis, Washington. Company Commander Heavy Mortar Company 4th Infantry at Fort Lewis, Washington. Company Commander Heavy Mortar Company 4th Infantry Regiment at United States Army Alaska. Assistant Regimental s-3 HHC 4th Infantry Regiment United States Army Alaska. Battalion S-3 SVC Company 2nd 4th Infantry Regiment United States Army Alaska. Assistant Battalion S-3 SVC Company 2nd 4th Infantry Regiment United States Army Alaska. Assistant Battalion S-3 HHC Company 4th Infantry Regiment United States Army Alaska. Chief, Gen SUB COMM HQ 2nd AAARTC at Fort Bliss, Texas. Regimental Armor Division 22nd ROK ARMY DIV at KMAG 8202nd AU AFFE. G1-4 Armor Division 22nd ROK ARMY DIV at KMAG 8202nd AU AFFE. Battalion XO HQ Company 1st Battalion 5th Cavalry Regimental AFFE. BN Commander HQ Company 1st Battalion 5th Cavalry Regimental AFFE. Battalion XO HQ Company 1st Battalion 5th Cavalry Regimental AFFE. INSTR BASIC TACTICS SEC GS&T DEPT at PMGS 8801-2 DU at Fort Gordon, Georgia. INSTR BASIC TACTICS SEC GS&T DEPT at OFF STU CO PMGS USA at Fort Gordon, Georgia. Chief BASIC TACTICS SEC GS&T DEPT HHC CO PMGS USA at Fort Gordon, Georgia. . INSTR BASIC TACTICS GS&T DEPT at OFF STU CO PMGS USA at Fort Gordon, Georgia. Assistant G-3 HHC 7th Infantry Division USARPAC at Korea. Assistant Training Officer G-3 Section HQ I Corps USARPAC at Korea. Chief Training Brigade G-3 Section HQ I Corps USARPAC at Korea. Assistant to Chief Training Division G-3 HQ XV USA CORPS, Presidio of San Francisco
His military education consists of: Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, Airborne Course, Jumpmaster Course Pathfinder Course Bradley Leader Course, Mortar Leader Course, SERE-C, SERE 225, SERE 245, Ranger Course, Sub-Saharan Regional Studies Course, Civil Affairs Qualification Course, Command and General Staff College, and the National War College.
His military awards include: Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Bronze Star (1OLC) Purple Heart, WWII VM, American Campaign Medal, EAME Campaign Medal, AOM (GER), Good Conduct Medal, % O/s Bars, Combat Infantry Badge, AFRM, NDSM
Major General Benjamin J. Corell
Major General Benjamin J. Corell was commissioned as an Infantry Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School class 88-33 on 20 August 1988. His first duty assignment was as an Executive Officer, Company B, 1st Battalion 133rd Infantry, Oelwein, Iowa.
His subsequent duty assignments were: Platoon Leader, Support Company, 1st Battalion 133rd Infantry, Dubuque, Iowa; Rifle Platoon Leader, Company B, 1st Battalion 133rd Infantry, Oelwein, Iowa; Scout Platoon Leader, 1st Battalion 133rd Infantry, Dubuque, Iowa; Executive Officer, Company B, 1st Battalion 133rd Infantry, Dubuque, Iowa; Commander, Company B, 1st Battalion 133rd Infantry Oelwein, Iowa; Operations Officer, 2nd Brigade, 34th Infantry Division, Boone, Iowa; S3, 1st Battalion 133rd Infantry Regiment, Waterloo, Iowa; Executive Officer, 1st Battalion, 133rd Infantry Regiment, Waterloo, Iowa; Commander, Company A, 1st Battalion 133rd Infantry, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Executive Officer, 1st Battalion, 133rd Infantry Regiment, Waterloo, Iowa; Operations, Plans and Training, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Iowa National Guard Element, Joint Force Headquarters, Johnston, Iowa; Commander US Army Infantry Battalion, Multi- National Forces and Observers, Sinai, Egypt; Battalion Commander, 1st Battalion 133rd Infantry Regiment, Waterloo, Iowa; Battalion Commander, 1st Battalion 133rd Infantry Regiment, Al Asad Air Base, Iraq; Battalion Commander, 1st Battalion 133rd Infantry Regiment, Waterloo, Iowa; Strategic Plans Officer, Iowa Army National Guard Element, Joint Force Headquarters, Johnston, Iowa; Deputy Commander, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, Boone, Iowa; Commander, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan; Commander, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, Boone, Iowa; Deputy Commanding General-Support, 34th Infantry Division, Rosemount, Minnesota; Deputy Commanding General-Maneuver, 34th Infantry Division, Rosemount, Minnesota; Deputy Commanding General, NATO Multi-National Division Southeast, Bucharest, Romania; Land Component Commander, Iowa Army National Guard Element, Joint Forces Headquarters, Johnston, Iowa; Present, Commander, 34th Infantry Division, Rosemount, Minnesota; Present Commander, Task Force Spartan, Operation Spartan Shield, Camp Arifjan, Kuwait.
His military education consists of: infantry Officer Basic Course, US Army War College, Counter-Insurgency Leaders Course, Dual Status Commander Qualification Program, Executive Joint Domestic Operations Course, Joint Task Force Commander Training Course, and Dual Status Commander Orientation Course, Deputy Commanding General Course, Combined/Joint Task Force Land Component Commander Course, Generals, Flag Officers, and Ambassadors Course, Capstone General and Flag Officer Course, CAPSTONE
His military awards include: Army Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal with Bronze OLC, Meritorious Service Medal with 2 Bronze OLC, Army Commendation Medal with 3 Bronze OLC, Army Achievement Medal with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, Meritorious Unit Commendation with Bronze OLC, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal with Silver Oak Leaf Cluster and 2 Bronze OLC, National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Service Star, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars, Iraq Campaign Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Gold Hourglass “M” Device Numeral 3, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Ribbon with Numeral 3, Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon, NATO Medal, Multi-National Force and Observers Medal, Iowa Commendation Medal with Bronze OLC, Iowa Humanitarian Service Ribbon, Iowa Leadership Ribbon with Torch, Iowa State Service Ribbon with Silver OLC and Bronze OLC, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge LIEUTENANT GENERAL MICHAEL K. NAGATA
Lieutenant General Michael K. Nagata assumed the position of Director of Strategic Op- erational Planning at the National Counterterrorism Center on 13 May 2016. Previously, LTG Nagata served as the Commander, Special Operations Command Central (SOCCENT), a sub-unified command of CENTCOM, from June 2013 to October 2015.
A native of Virginia, Lieutenant General Nagata graduated from Georgia State University and commissioned as an Infantry Officer in 1982. He initially served as a Platoon Leader in the 2d Infantry Division before volunteering for Army Special Forces in 1984. Through- out his career he served in various positions within Army Special Forces to include: De- tachment Commander, Executive Officer, Battalion S-3, Operations Center Director, BN Executive Officer, and Group Operations Officer. Later he served as the Commander of 1st BN, 1st Special Warfare Training Group, responsible for the Special Forces Qualifica- tion Course.
In 1990 he volunteered and assessed for a Special Missions Unit (SMU), in which he served at various times throughout his career as a Troop Commander, Operations Officer, Squadron Commander, and SMU Commander. After graduating from the National War College, Lieutenant General Nagata served in the Office of the Undersecretary of De- fense for Intelligence. He then served within the Intelligence Community as a Deputy Di- rector for Counter Terrorism. As a general officer he has served as the Deputy Chief, Of- fice of the Defense Representative to Pakistan (ODRP), the Deputy Director for Special Operations and Counter Terrorism (J-37) of the Joint Staff, and Commander, SOCCENT.
He has deployed extensively throughout his career, participating in contingency and combat operations in such varied locales as Somalia, the Balkans, Iraq, Pakistan, Syria, and elsewhere. LTG Nagata is a graduate of the Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, United States Marine Corps Command and Staff College, and the United States National War College. LTG Nagata and his wife, Barbara, have five children who are the lights of their lives.