The Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) is a military decoration of the United States Army that is presented to soldiers who have distinguished themselves by exceptionally meritorious service to the government in a duty of great responsibility. The performance must be such as to merit recognition for service that is clearly exceptional. The exceptional performance of normal duty will not alone justify an award of this decoration.
Commander is a common naval officer rank as well as a job title in many armies. Commander is also used as a rank or title in other formal organizations, including several police forces. In several countries, this naval rank is termed as a frigate captain.
Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force was the headquarters of the Commander of Allied forces in northwest Europe, from late 1943 until the end of World War II. US General Dwight D. Eisenhower was the commander in SHAEF throughout its existence. The position itself shares a common lineage with Supreme Allied Commander Europe and Atlantic, but they are different titles.
Andrew Jackson Goodpaster was an American Army General. He served as NATO's Supreme Allied Commander, Europe (SACEUR), from 1 July 1969, and Commander in Chief of the United States European Command (CINCEUR) from 5 May 1969 until his retirement 17 December 1974. As such, he was the commander of all NATO (SACEUR) and United States (CINCEUR) military forces stationed in Europe and the surrounding regions.
The superintendent of the United States Military Academy is the academy's commanding officer. This position is roughly equivalent to the chancellor or president of an American civilian university. The officer appointed is, by tradition, a graduate of the United States Military Academy, commonly known as "West Point". However, this is not an official requirement for the position.
Curtis Michael "Mike" Scaparrotti is a retired United States Army four-star general who last served as the commander of United States European Command. He concurrently served as NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe. Scaparrotti previously served as the director of the Joint Staff. Prior to his tour with the Joint Staff, Scaparrotti served as commander, International Security Assistance Force Joint Command and deputy commander, U.S. Forces – Afghanistan, the commanding general of I Corps and Joint Base Lewis-McChord, and the commanding general of the 82nd Airborne Division.
James L. Terry is a retired lieutenant general of the United States Army. Terry has commanded at multiple levels across the Army. Terry's last assignment was as the commanding general of United States Army Central, retiring 17 November 2015. Terry served as the last commander of V Corps before its inactivation in 2013. While commanding V Corps, he concurrently served as Commander, International Security Assistance Force Joint Command (IJC), and as deputy commander of United States Forces Afghanistan. He was the Commanding General of the 10th Mountain Division from 2009 to 2011.
The Allied Land Command (LANDCOM) formerly Allied Land Forces South-Eastern Europe (LANDSOUTHEAST) is the standing headquarters for NATO land forces which may be assigned as necessary. The Commander LANDCOM is the primary land warfare advisor to Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) and the Alliance. When directed by SACEUR, it provides the core of the headquarters responsible for the conduct of land operations. The command is based at Şirinyer (Buca), İzmir in Turkey.
Frederick Benjamin "Ben" Hodges III is a retired United States Army officer who served as commanding general, United States Army Europe. He has been Senior Advisor to Human Rights First since June 2022 and also serves as NATO Senior Mentor for Logistics. He previously held the Pershing Chair in Strategic Studies at the Center for European Policy Analysis.
Christopher Gerard Cavoli is a four star general in the United States Army who serves as the commander of United States European Command since 1 July 2022 and Supreme Allied Commander Europe since 4 July 2022. He previously served as the commanding general of United States Army Europe and Africa from October 2020 to June 2022, and before that as the commanding general of United States Army Europe from January 2018 to September 2020.
Ronald Patrick "Ron" Clark is a United States Army general who has served as the commanding general of United States Army Pacific since 8 November 2024. He most recently served as the senior military assistant to the secretary of defense from 2022 to 2024. He previously commanded United States Army Central from 2021 to 2022. He also served as Chief of Staff, United States Indo-Pacific Command, commanding general of the 25th Infantry Division, and before that, as Chief of Staff, United States Army Pacific.
Christopher Todd Donahue is a United States Army lieutenant general who served as the commanding general of XVIII Airborne Corps from 2022 to 2024. He previously served as commanding general of the 82nd Airborne Division from 2020 to 2022. Throughout his career, Donahue served in staff and command positions for both United States Army and Special Operations units.
Steven Wesley Gilland is a United States Army lieutenant general who serves as the 61st superintendent of the United States Military Academy since June 27, 2022. He most recently served as the deputy commanding general for maneuver of III Corps from July 2021 to June 2022, and prior to that was commanding general of the 2nd Infantry Division from 2019 to 2021.
Roger L. Cloutier Jr. is a retired United States Army lieutenant general who last served as the Commander of Allied Land Command. Previously, he served as the Commander of the United States Army Africa and the Southern European Task Force. Cloutier graduated from the University of San Diego in 1988 with a bachelor's degree in political science and a masters in international relations.
Edwin John Deedrick Jr. is a retired United States Army lieutenant general who last served as the United States military representative to the NATO Military Committee from August 24, 2021 to May 2023. He most recently served as the Commander of the Combined Security Transition Command – Afghanistan. Previously, he served as the Commanding General of the 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne). He received his commission in 1988 through the Reserve Officers Training Corps program at The Citadel in 1988. He is currently on a Special Assignment in the Middle East
Michael Elliott Langley is a United States Marine Corps general who has served as the commander of the United States Africa Command since 9 August 2022. He most recently served as commander of United States Marine Corps Forces Command, United States Marine Corps Forces Northern Command, and Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic from November 2021 to August 2022. He also served as deputy commander of Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic and before that as commander of United States Marine Forces Europe and Africa.
