Thomas A. Schwartz

Last updated

Thomas A. Schwartz
General Thomas A. Schwartz (1998).jpg
Nickname(s)Tom
Born (1945-03-07) 7 March 1945 (age 79)
St. Paul, Minnesota, U.S.
AllegianceUnited States
Service / branch United States Army
Years of service1967–2002
Rank General
Commands United States Forces Korea
United States Army Forces Command
III Corps
4th Infantry Division
Battles / wars Vietnam War
Awards Army Distinguished Service Medal
Silver Star
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit (3)
Bronze Star Medal
Purple Heart
Other workChairman, Military Child Education Coalition board of directors

Thomas Allen Schwartz (born 7 March 1945) [1] is a retired United States Army four-star general who commanded the United States Army Forces Command from 1998 to 1999 and United States Forces Korea from 1999 to 2002.

Contents

Early life and education

Schwartz was born on 7 March 1945, in St. Paul, Minnesota. [2] He attended Cretin High School (now Cretin-Derham Hall High School) in Saint Paul, Minnesota.[ citation needed ] While there, Schwartz was in the school’s Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps and was the school’s 46th cadet colonel in 1963. [3]

Military career

Schwartz was commissioned in the infantry following graduation from the United States Military Academy in 1967. He served as a platoon leader and company commander with the 2nd Battalion, 505th Infantry in Vietnam from August 1968 to October 1969, earning both a Silver Star and a Purple Heart. [4] In addition to Forces Command and United States Forces Korea, Schwartz also commanded III Corps [4] and the 4th Infantry Division from October 1993 to November 1995. [5]

Schwartz holds master's degrees from Duke University and the Naval War College. [6] He is also a graduate of the Infantry Officer Basic Course, Ranger School, the Armor Officer Advanced Course, and the Armed Forces Staff College. [6]

Awards and decorations

Combat Infantry Badge.svg Combat Infantryman Badge
Ranger Tab.svg Ranger tab
United States Air Force Parachutist Badge.svg Basic Parachutist Badge
82nd Airborne Division CSIB.svg 82nd Airborne Division Combat Service Identification Badge
Distinguished Service Medal ribbon.svg Army Distinguished Service Medal
Silver Star ribbon.svg Silver Star
US Defense Superior Service Medal ribbon.svg Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit ribbon.svg Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg Legion of Merit with two bronze oak leaf clusters
Bronze Star ribbon.svg Bronze Star Medal
Purple Heart ribbon.svg Purple Heart
Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svg Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Medal ribbon.svg Air Medal
Army Commendation Medal ribbon.svg Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
United States Army and U.S. Air Force Presidential Unit Citation ribbon.svg
Army Presidential Unit Citation with oak leaf cluster
Valorous Unit Award ribbon.svg Valorous Unit Award
National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg Bronze-service-star-3d.svg Bronze-service-star-3d.svg National Defense Service Medal with two bronze service stars
Vietnam Service Medal ribbon.svg Bronze-service-star-3d.svg Bronze-service-star-3d.svg Bronze-service-star-3d.svg Vietnam Service Medal with three service stars
Army Service Ribbon.svg Army Service Ribbon
Army Overseas Service Ribbon.svg Award numeral 2.png Army Overseas Service Ribbon with bronze award numeral 2
Vietnamese Gallantry Cross ribbon.svg Bronze-service-star-3d.svg Vietnam Gallantry Cross with bronze star
Vietnam Campaign Medal ribbon with 60- clasp.svg Vietnam Campaign Medal

He received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Maryland University College in 2002. [7]

Post-military

In 2004, Schwartz became chairman of the board of directors of the Military Child Education Coalition an organization co-founded by his wife Sandy and other military spouses. [4] He sits on the advisory board of Azbell Electronics. [8]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Military academy</span> Higher education institution operated by or for the military

A military academy or service academy is an educational institution which prepares candidates for service in the officer corps. It normally provides education in a military environment, the exact definition depending on the country concerned.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John William Vessey Jr.</span> Career officer in the United States Army (1922–2016)

John William "Jack" Vessey Jr. was a career officer in the United States Army. He attained the rank of general, and was most notable for his service as the tenth chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Valley Forge Military Academy and College</span> Private boarding school in Wayne, Pennsylvania, US

Valley Forge Military Academy and College (VFMAC) is a private boarding school and military junior college in Wayne, Pennsylvania. It follows in the traditional military school format with army traditions.

Colonel commandant is a military title used in the armed forces of some English-speaking countries. The title, not a substantive military rank, could denote a senior colonel with authority over fellow colonels. Today, the holder often has an honorary role outside the executive military structure, such as advocacy for the troops.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bernard W. Rogers</span> Former Chief of Staff of the United States Army

Bernard William Rogers was a United States Army general who served as the 28th Chief of Staff of the United States Army, and later as NATO's Supreme Allied Commander, Europe and Commander in Chief, United States European Command.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Colonel (United States)</span> Military rank of the United States

A colonel in the United States Army, Marine Corps, Air Force and Space Force, is the most senior field-grade military officer rank, immediately above the rank of lieutenant colonel and just below the rank of brigadier general. Colonel is equivalent to the naval rank of captain in the other uniformed services. By law, an officer previously required at least 22 years of cumulative service and a minimum of three years as a lieutenant colonel before being promoted to colonel. With the signing of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2019, military services now have the authorization to directly commission new officers up to the rank of colonel. The pay grade for colonel is O-6.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert Sink</span> United States Army general

Robert Frederick Sink was a senior United States Army officer who fought during World War II and the Korean War, though he was most famous for his command of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, part of the 101st Airborne Division, throughout most of World War II, in France, the Netherlands, and Belgium.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dennis Reimer</span>

Dennis Joe Reimer is a retired general of the United States Army, who served as the 33rd Chief of Staff of the Army from June 20, 1995, to June 21, 1999. He is also a graduate of Ranger and Airborne school.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Curtis Scaparrotti</span> US Army general

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frederick Kroesen</span> American Army general (1923–2020)

Frederick James Kroesen Jr. was a United States Army four-star general who served as the Commanding General of the Seventh United States Army and the commander of NATO Central Army Group from 1979 to 1983, and Commanding General, United States Army Forces Command from 1976 to 1978. He also served as Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army from 1978 to 1979. He commanded troops in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, enabling him to be one of the very small number who ever was entitled to wear the Combat Infantryman Badge with two Stars, denoting active combat in three wars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Johnnie E. Wilson</span> United States Army general

General Johnnie Edward Wilson is a retired United States Army four-star general who served as Commanding General, United States Army Materiel Command from 1996 to 1999. He also served as the 25th Chief of Ordnance for the United States Army Ordnance Corps.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael S. Davison</span> United States Army general (1917–2006)

Michael Shannon Davison was a United States Army four-star general, who served as Commander in Chief, United States Army Europe/Commander, Central Army Group from 1971 to 1975.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sam S. Walker</span> United States Army general

Sam Sims Walker was a United States Army general who served as the Commanding General of Allied Land Forces, South East Europe from 1977 to 1978.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Emmett H. Walker Jr.</span> United States Army general

Emmett H. 'Mickey' Walker was a U.S. Army lieutenant general who served as the Chief of the National Guard Bureau from 1982 to 1986.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Samuel Tankersley Williams</span> United States Army general

Lieutenant General Samuel Tankersley Williams was a senior United States Army officer. Williams became prominent in army history for being reduced in rank from brigadier general to colonel, and then resuscitating his career to again advance to general officer rank. He also commanded the 25th Infantry Division during the Korean War and served as commander of Military Assistance and Advisory Group – Vietnam, the predecessor to Military Assistance Command – Vietnam.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">William B. Caldwell III</span> United States Army general

William Burns Caldwell III was a United States Army general who retired as the Fifth United States Army commanding general at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio. A combat veteran of wars in Korea and Vietnam, he was awarded the Silver Star on three separate occasions for gallantry and heroism under fire. Coming from a long line of soldiers, his great-great-great-great-grandfather, Thomas Maze, fought in the Revolutionary War, his grandfather served in the Union Army during the Civil War, his father was an army colonel during World War II, and his son William B. Caldwell IV is a retired lieutenant general with tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John E. Sterling Jr.</span> United States Army lieutenant general

John Ember "Jack" Sterling Jr. is a retired United States Army lieutenant general. He served as Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff for United States Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) from 2010 to 2012, and was acting commander in 2011. He retired in June 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oliver W. Dillard</span> United States Army general

Oliver Williams Dillard Sr. was a United States Army major general, the fifth black officer in the U.S. Army to attain flag rank. He was a member of the Military Intelligence Hall of Fame and Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame, at Fort Huachuca, Arizona and Fort Benning, Georgia respectively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert Leahy Fair</span> United States Army general

Robert Leahy Fair was a United States Army lieutenant general and a field commander in Germany during the Cold War. Fair commanded V Corps from August 25, 1975, until January 4, 1976. After 32 years in the U.S. Army and service in three wars, Fair concluded his career in 1976, and died in 1983.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daniel Yoo (general)</span> United States Marine Corps general

Daniel Daejin Yoo is a retired United States Marine Corps major general and former commander of United States Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command. He was the first Korean-American general in the history of the United States Marine Corps.

References

  1. "Release".
  2. General Officer Announcement 583-95 October 31, 1995
  3. CDH JROTC Cadet Colonel List as of Fall 2024
  4. 1 2 3 New Chairman Aims to Help More Mobile Military Children
  5. 4th Infantry Division, Division Commanders Archived 2007-03-19 at the Wayback Machine
  6. 1 2 USFK Assumption of Command notice Archived 2007-09-27 at the Wayback Machine
  7. UMUC Confers Honorary Degree on Senior Allied Military Officer in Korea During Change of Command Ceremony
  8. Azbell Electronics, advisory Board Archived 2007-09-23 at the Wayback Machine