David L. Grange

Last updated
David L. Grange
MG David Grange 1996.jpg
Major General David L. Grange in 1996
Born (1947-12-29) December 29, 1947 (age 76)
Long Island, New York, U.S.
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Army
Years of service1969–1999
Rank Major General
Unit Delta Force
Commands held 1st Infantry Division
75th Ranger Regiment
1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment
Battles/wars Vietnam War
Operation Eagle Claw
Invasion of Grenada
Gulf War
Yugoslav Wars
Awards Silver Star (3)
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit (2)
Bronze Star Medal (2)
Purple Heart (2)
Spouse(s) Holly Grange
Relations David E. Grange, Jr. (father)
Other workChief Executive Officer of Pharmaceutical Product Development

David L. Grange (born December 29, 1947) is a retired United States Army major general. He served with the 101st Airborne Division during the Vietnam War. He was later assigned to Delta Force, commanding a squadron during the invasion of Grenada and was deputy commander during the Gulf War. His last command was of 1st Infantry Division before he retired in 1999.

Contents

Early life

Born on December 29, 1947, in Long Island, New York, Grange is the son of retired Lieutenant General David E. Grange, Jr. He graduated from North Georgia College with a Bachelor of Science degree and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the infantry. Grange later earned a master's degree in public service from Western Kentucky University.

Military career

Grange was commissioned as an infantry officer in December 1969. Grange first saw significant combat action as a second lieutenant assigned to the 101st Airborne's "Lima" Ranger company in the I Corps Tactical Zone of Vietnam in 1970. This unit was part of the 75th Infantry (Ranger) and attached to the 2/17th Cavalry. As a first lieutenant serving a second tour in Vietnam from 1971 to 1972, Grange was an adviser to the Army of the Republic of Vietnam Airborne Division. Grange was awarded multiple Silver Star awards for heroism in Vietnam, including his third award for gallantry in action in February 1972 while serving with the U.S. Airborne Advisory Detachment. Grange returned to Fort Bragg in 1972 and served with the 3rd Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group as detachment executive officer and detachment commander until 1974. That year, Grange completed Flight training and subsequently served with the 158th Aviation Brigade. From July 1978 to 1980, Grange served as infantry company commander, C Company, 1st Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, which supported Operation Eagle Claw in April 1980. In 1981 Grange completed the grueling British SAS Course at Hereford, England, then attended the Marine Corps Command and Staff College. In 1982, Grange volunteered for and received assignment to the 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment – Delta (1st SFOD-D), or Delta Force at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Grange commanded B Squadron during the invasion of Grenada in October 1983 followed by service as unit operations officer. In 1987 Grange volunteered for service in South Korea and took command of the 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division until 1988. He was then assigned as special-operations officer with Special Operations Command, Washington, D.C. in 1989. Grange attended the National War College and returned to Fort Bragg in June 1990 as deputy commander of Delta Force, in which job he commanded a task force during Desert Storm. [1]

From July 1991 to July 1993, Grange commanded the 75th Ranger Regiment. [2] He then served as deputy commanding officer of United States Army Special Operations Command. After his selection as a general officer, he served as both ADC for support and maneuver in the 3rd Infantry Division at Warner Barracks in Bamberg, Germany.

In 1997, Grange returned to Germany and took command of the 1st Infantry Division and Task Force Eagle in Bosnia, [3] where he was responsible for U.S. forces and operations in North Macedonia and Kosovo during the Yugoslav Wars. In 1999, Grange relinquished command of the 1st Infantry Division to John Abizaid and retired from active duty.

Activities in retirement

In December 1999, Grange published a critique of the Army's obsolete way of measuring unit readiness in the Armed Forces Journal . He then led a group of Army officers who wrote a book on improving force structure; Air-Mech-Strike: Asymmetric Maneuver Warfare for the 21st Century. He later served as the executive vice president and chief operating officer of the McCormick Foundation in Chicago.

In September 2005, Grange became the foundation's president and chief executive officer. In May 2009, Grange became CEO of Pharmaceutical Product Development, a Contract Research Organization based in North Carolina. [4] Grange retired as CEO of PPD in May 2011. [5]

Grange founded Osprey Global Solutions, a consulting firm and government contractor that offers logistics, intelligence, medical, security training, armament sales, financial forensics and construction services as well as philanthropic services through the Osprey Relief Foundation. Grange also served as the CEO of Osprey Armament, and conducts beginner to advanced training at the Osprey Training Center in Council, North Carolina. [6]

In March 2011, just as the Libyan civil war was intensifying, Grange realized Libya could be a lucrative new market. Tyler Drumheller, a former CIA clandestine officer, who at the time had a consulting firm, advised Grange. [7] Grange, Drumheller and Sidney Blumenthal worked on the Libya memos with Cody Shearer, a longtime Clinton family friend and Democratic political operative for the United States Department of State. [8] Grange provided information operations expertise and "ground truth" geopolitical consultancy to Senior Executives in both public and private sectors. The expeditionary security assessments were conducted throughout the Middle East, North Africa and Asia Pacific Rim, providing critical strategic value to public and private sector decision makers. During the Libyan Civil War (2011–present) Osprey Global Solutions sought to build field hospitals in Libya and train the country's national police after the fall of Muammar el-Qaddafi. In 2015, national news reporting on the Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's 2012 email controversy highlighted that Grange was requested by private sector executives to provide his subject matter expertise for Libya. [9] [10] [11]

Personal life

Grange's wife, Holly, served in the North Carolina House of Representatives. [12]

Awards and decorations

MG Grange has been decorated for service, to include:

Combat Infantry Badge.svg
ArmyAvnBadge.png
Master Parachutist badge (United States).svg Pathfinder.gif
Silver Star ribbon.svg Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg US Defense Superior Service Medal ribbon.svg
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Legion of Merit ribbon.svg
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Bronze Star ribbon.svg
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Purple Heart ribbon.svg
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Defense Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svg
Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svg Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg Air Medal ribbon.svg Award numeral 4.png
Joint Service Commendation ribbon.svg Army Commendation Medal ribbon.svg
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Joint Meritorious Unit Award ribbon.svg
Valorous Unit Award ribbon.svg
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg
Armed Forces Expedtionary Medal ribbon.svg Vietnam Service Medal ribbon.svg Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg Southwest Asia Service Medal ribbon (1991-2016).svg Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg
Humanitarian Service ribbon.svg Army Service Ribbon.svg Army Overseas Service Ribbon.svg
Award-star-silver-3d.png
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Vietnamese Gallantry Cross ribbon.svg
Vietnam Staff Service Medal ribbon-First Class.svg Gallantry Cross Unit Citation.png Vietnam Campaign Medal ribbon with 60- clasp.svg Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia) Ribbon.png
USAF - Occupational Badge - Scuba.svg AirAssault.svg USAF - Occupational Badge - High Altitude Low Opening.svg
75 Ranger Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia.svg Iranian Parachutist Master 3rd Class.svg
SpecialForcesTabMetal.jpg Ranger Tab.svg
Badge Combat Infantryman Badge
Badge United States Army Aviator Badge
Badges Master Parachutist Badge Pathfinder Badge
1st Row Silver Star
with 2 bronze Oak leaf clusters
Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit
with 1 bronze Oak leaf cluster
Bronze Star
with 1 bronze Oak leaf cluster
2nd Row Purple Heart
with 1 bronze Oak leaf cluster
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
with 1 bronze Oak leaf cluster
Meritorious Service Medal
with 2 bronze Oak leaf clusters
Air Medal
with Award numeral 4
3rd Row Joint Service Commendation Medal Army Commendation Medal Joint Meritorious Unit Award
with 1 bronze Oak leaf cluster
Valorous Unit Award
4th Row National Defense Service Medal
with 1 Service Star
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Vietnam Service Medal
with 3 bronze Campaign stars
Southwest Asia Service Medal
with 2 bronze Campaign stars
5th Row Humanitarian Service Medal Army Service Ribbon Army Overseas Service Ribbon Vietnam Gallantry Cross
with silver and bronze Service stars
6th Row Vietnam Staff Service Medal Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation
with Palm and Frame
Vietnam Campaign Medal
with "60-" clasp
Kuwait Liberation Medal
(Saudi Arabia)
Badges Scuba Diver Badge Air Assault Badge Military Freefall Parachutist Badge
Badges 75th Ranger Regiment
Distinctive unit insignia
Iranian Master Parachutist Badge
(3rd Class)
Tabs Special Forces Tab Ranger Tab

Grange was inducted into the U.S. Army Ranger Hall of Fame in 2005. [13]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Army Rangers</span> Term used for U.S. Army personnel which have served in "Ranger" units

The United States Army Rangers are U.S. Army personnel who have served in any unit which has held the official designation of "Ranger". The term is commonly used to include graduates of the Ranger School, even if they have never served in a "Ranger" unit; the vast majority of Ranger school graduates never serve in Ranger units and are considered "Ranger qualified".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">75th Ranger Regiment</span> Elite US Army light infantry unit

The 75th Ranger Regiment, also known as Army Rangers, is the premier light infantry unit and special operations force within the United States Army Special Operations Command. The regiment is headquartered at Fort Moore, Georgia and is composed of a regimental headquarters company, a military intelligence battalion, a special troops battalion, and three Ranger battalions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Army Special Operations Command</span> Army component of the U.S. Special Operations Command

The United States Army Special Operations Command (Airborne) (USASOC ( YOO-sə-sok)) is the command charged with overseeing the various special operations forces of the United States Army. Headquartered at Fort Liberty, North Carolina, it is the largest component of the United States Special Operations Command. It is an Army Service Component Command. Its mission is to organize, train, educate, man, equip, fund, administer, mobilize, deploy and sustain Army special operations forces to successfully conduct worldwide special operations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Long-range reconnaissance patrol</span> Military unit that patrols in enemy-held territory

A long-range reconnaissance patrol, or LRRP, is a small, well-armed reconnaissance team that patrols deep in enemy-held territory.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Galen B. Jackman</span> American military officer

Galen Bruce Jackman is a retired United States Army Major General. His last assignment in the Army was serving in the Pentagon as the Army's Chief Legislative Liaison. Prior to that assignment, he was the first commanding general of the Joint Force Headquarters National Capital Region (JFHQ-NCR), a dual-hatted role combined with commanding the Military District of Washington (MDW).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1st Ranger Battalion</span> Military unit

The 1st Ranger Battalion, currently based at Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah, Georgia, United States, is the first of three ranger battalions belonging to the United States Army's 75th Ranger Regiment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wayne A. Downing</span> United States Army general

Wayne Allan Downing was a four-star United States Army general born in Peoria, Illinois. He graduated from the United States Military Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1962 and held a Master of Business Administration degree from Tulane University. He also served on the board of directors at a US Government focused high-tech company, Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eldon Bargewell</span> United States Army general (1947–2019)

Major General Eldon Arthur Bargewell was a United States Army officer. He served as commander of the U.S. Army's Delta Force unit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thomas R. Turner II</span> United States Army general

Lieutenant General Thomas R. Turner II is a retired United States Army officer, who served as the commander of the 101st Airborne Division and United States Army North, Fort Sam Houston, Texas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">William F. Kernan</span> United States Army general

General William F. "Buck" Kernan was born in Fort Sam Houston, Texas. He was commissioned in November 1968 from Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Our Lady of the Lake University and a Master of Arts degree in personnel administration from Central Michigan University. His military education includes the Infantry Advanced Course, the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, and the U.S. Army War College.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David E. Grange Jr.</span> United States Army general (1925–2022)

David Ellsworth Grange Jr. was a lieutenant general in the United States Army.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">William M. Steele</span> United States Army general

William Michael Steele is a retired United States Army lieutenant general who commanded major organizations including U.S. Army, Pacific, the Combined Arms Center and the 82d Airborne Division. A native of Atlanta, Georgia, he graduated from The Citadel in 1967 and earned a Master of Arts in management from Webster University in St. Louis. His military education includes the National War College.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States military beret flash</span>

In the United States (US) military, a beret flash is a shield-shaped embroidered cloth that is typically 2.25 in (5.72 cm) tall and 1.875 in (4.76 cm) wide with a semi–circular base that is attached to a stiffener backing of a military beret. These flashes—a British English word for a colorful cloth patch attached to military headgear—are worn over the left eye with the excess cloth of the beret shaped, folded, and pulled over the right ear giving it a distinctive appearance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Benjamin R. Mixon</span> US Army general

Benjamin Randaulph "Randy" Mixon is a retired lieutenant general in the United States Army who last served as commanding general of United States Army Pacific. Prior to that, Mixon served as the commander of the Multi-National Division North in Iraq.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Raymond A. Thomas</span> Retired US Army general (born 1958)

General Raymond Anthony Thomas III is a retired general officer of the United States Army and former commander of the United States Special Operations Command.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stephen J. Townsend</span> United States Army four-star general

Stephen J. Townsend is a retired United States Army four-star general who served as Commander United States Africa Command from 26 July 2019 to 8 August 2022. He previously commanded the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command from March 2018 until June 2019 and XVIII Airborne Corps from May 2015 until January 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bennet S. Sacolick</span> Retired United States Army general

Lieutenant General Bennet S. Sacolick, is a retired general officer in the United States Army, former commander of Delta Force and John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School. He has participated in numerous combat operations, such as; Operation Just Cause in 1989, Operation Desert Storm in 1991, Operation Gothic Serpent in 1993 and since 2001 the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark J. O'Neil</span> Retired US Army general (born 1964)

Mark J. O'Neil is a retired United States Army major general who last served as the commander of U.S. Army Alaska. He previously served as the commanding officer of Delta Force from July 2, 2009 to August 2011. He has participated in numerous combat operations, such as; the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. He assumed his final assignment on July 12, 2017, before retiring in 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Donahue (general)</span> United States Army general (born 1969)

Christopher Todd Donahue is a United States Army lieutenant general who has served as the commanding general of XVIII Airborne Corps since March 11, 2022. He most recently served as commanding general of the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Liberty, North Carolina. Throughout his career, Donahue served in staff and command positions for both United States Army and Special Operations units.

References

  1. "Notable Cadet Alumni". University of North Georgia. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
  2. Bryant, Russ (2003). To Be a U. S. Army Ranger. Zenith Imprint. p. 156. ISBN   9781610600330.
  3. Smith Jr., W. Thomas (4 October 2004). ""The Big Red One" mopping-up after launching a major offensive". National Review . Archived from the original on 29 January 2013. Retrieved 12 October 2010.
  4. "David L. Grange Profile - Forbes.com". Archived from the original on 2011-03-16. Retrieved 2017-08-26.
  5. "Pharmaceutical Product Development - David L. Grange to Retire from PPD". Archived from the original on 2011-02-15. Retrieved 2013-01-06.
  6. "Executive Warrior Leader Course: A Successful Weekend of Leader Training by David Grange | Sponsored Insights".
  7. Fandos, Nicholas; Schmidt, Michael S. (17 June 2015). "House Benghazi Committee Examines the Origins of Emails to Clinton". The New York Times.
  8. "Clinton Says Source of Intel Was a Mystery". Bloomberg.com. 22 October 2015.
  9. "Benghazi Panel to Grill Clinton About Friend's Business Ties". Bloomberg.com. 20 October 2015.
  10. "Private Emails Reveal Ex-Clinton Aide's Secret Spy Network". 27 March 2015.
  11. Confessore, Nicholas; Schmidt, Michael S. (18 May 2015). "Clinton Friend's Memos on Libya Draw Scrutiny to Politics and Business". The New York Times.
  12. "Republican state Rep. Grange announces bid for governor". 18 July 2019.
  13. "U.S. Army Ranger Hall of Fame" (PDF). Worldwide Army Rangers, Inc. 12 June 2015. Retrieved 2021-11-07.
Military offices
Preceded by Commander, 75th Ranger Regiment
19911993
Succeeded by
Preceded by Commander, 1st Infantry Division
August 1997 – August 1999
Succeeded by