Raymond T. Odierno - Wikipedia

Thank you, my friend Maj Marty Hogan for making us aware that September 8 is the anniversary of the birth of U1976 SMA, West Point graduate, U.S. Army officer Raymond Thomas "Ray" Odierno "who served as the 38th Chief of Staff of the Army. Prior to his service as Chief of Staff, Odierno commanded United States Joint Forces Command from October 2010 until its disestablishment in August 2011."
He is graduate number #34,299 and his classmates include GEN David Rodriguez.
Ray Odierno was commissioned as a Field Artillery officer and served in field artillery units until he was promoted to BG in 1997 assigned as Chief of Staff Vth Corp in Germany.
Kudos to Raymond Thomas "Ray" Odierno for his many decades of honorable and exemplary service to this nation.

General Ray Odierno November 11, 2013 Late Shw with David Letterman
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbiZZH_GGBE

Images:
1. General Raymond T. Odierno in blues.
2. U.S. Gen. Raymond Odierno (R) stands at attention as he receives his 4th star from US Sec. of Defense Robert Gates (L) during a Change of Command ceremony inside the Al-Faw Palace at Camp Victory September 16, 2008 in Baghdad, Iraq.
3. General Raymond and Mrs Linda Odierno sitting together
4. Army Gen. Raymond T. Odierno and his son, retired Army Capt. Anthony K. Odierno, received the Basilone Award from the National Italian American Foundation in a ceremony at the National Archives on October 27, 2011.

1. Background from archive.defense.gov/bios/biographydetail.aspx?biographyid=323
"General Raymond T. Odierno, assumed duty as the 38th Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army on 7 September 2011.
A native of Rockaway, New Jersey, General Odierno attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, graduating in 1976 with a commission in Field Artillery. During more than 37 years of service, he has commanded units at every echelon, from platoon to theater, with duty in Germany, Albania, Kuwait, Iraq, and the United States. After his first assignment with U.S. Army Europe, General Odierno was assigned to the XVIII Airborne Corps Artillery at Fort Bragg, N.C., where he commanded two batteries and served as a battalion operations officer.

General Odierno returned to U.S. Army Europe serving as a battalion executive officer and division artillery executive officer including deployment for Operations DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM. He later commanded 2nd Battalion, 8th Field Artillery, 7th Infantry Division, and the Division Artillery, 1st Cavalry Division.

From October 2001 to June 2004, General Odierno commanded the 4th Infantry Division, leading the division during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM from April 2003 to March 2004. From December 2006 to February 2008, he served as the Commanding General, Multi-National Corps – Iraq (III Corps) as the operational commander of the surge of forces. Later, he served as the Commanding General, Multi- National Force - Iraq and subsequently United States Forces - Iraq, from September 2008 until September 2010. From October 2010 until August 2011, he was the Commander of United States Joint Forces Command.

Other significant assignments include: Arms Control Officer, Office of the Secretary of Defense; Chief of Staff, V Corps; Assistant Division Commander (Support), 1st Armored Division; Deputy Commanding General, Task Force Hawk, Albania; Director of Force Management, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans; and Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff where he was the primary military advisor to Secretaries of State Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice.

General Odierno holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from West Point and a master’s degree in Nuclear Effects Engineering from North Carolina State University. He is a graduate of the Army War College and holds a master’s degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College. He also holds two honorary degrees, a Doctorate in Humane Letters from North Carolina State University and a Doctorate of Laws Honoris Causa from the Institute of World Politics.

General Odierno is married to his high school sweetheart, Linda. They have three children: son Tony and his wife Daniela; daughter Katie and her husband Nick Funk; and son Mike. He and Linda also have four grandchildren. His oldest son, Army Captain (Retired) Tony Odierno, is a combat veteran.

General Odierno’s awards and decorations include four Defense Distinguished Service Medals, two Army Distinguished Service Medals, the Defense Superior Service Medal, six Legions of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, four Meritorious Service Medals, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, and the Combat Action Badge. He has also received the Secretary of State Distinguished Service Medal and Orders of Military Merit from Brazil, Colombia, Romania, and Italy. He was also appointed as an Officer in the French National Order of the Legion of Honor.

FYI MSgt David HoffmanSFC (Join to see)SGT Forrest FitzrandolphCW3 Matt HutchasonLTC (Join to see)Sgt John H.1sg-dan-capriSGT Robert R.SGT (Join to see)
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I have listened to one of his speeches and I was very favoribly impressed with his presence, his demeanor, his knowledge, & his love of Country... Great, great post, Maj Marty Hogan !!!

A great leader!