à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã

Brig. Gen. Craig A. Bargfrede enlisted into the Minnesota Army National Guard in 1980. He received his commission from the ROTC program at South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã State University in 1983.

Bargfrede was branched Field Artillery and served in various positions at the Battery and Battalion level with the 1st Battalion, 125th Field Artillery as well as staff positions with the 34th Infantry Division Artillery. He graduated from SDSU in 1986 with a degree in agriculture.

Bargfrede transferred to the Iowa National Guard in 1993 and served as the Battalion Operations Officer, Battalion Executive Officer and Battalion Commander of the 1st Battalion, 194th Field Artillery. From 2000-2007, Bargfrede was assigned as the program manager for the Digital Training Development Center and Distributed Learning Branch Chief for National Guard Bureau-Army Training Division, Arlington, Virginia. In 2007, he assumed command of the 185th Regional Training Institute, Camp Dodge, Iowa.

In 2009, Bargfrede was selected to command the 734th Agri-Business Development Team, Johnston, Iowa. This team deployed to Kunar Province, Afghanistan from July 2010 to June 2011. In August 2011 he assumed his current duties of Assistant Adjutant General-Army. General Bargfrede completed the United States Army War College and earned a Master of Science, strategic studies, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania, in 2004. In 2009, he earned a Master in Public Administration from Drake College of Business, Des Moines, Iowa.

Bargfrede has earned numerous awards to include the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal (4th award), Army Commendation Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (8th award), National Defense Service Ribbon (2nd award), Afghanistan Campaign Medal w/ Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Service à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã, Armed Forces Reserve Medal w/30 year device gold, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Ribbon, NATO Afghanistan Service Medal, Meritorious Unit Citation, Combat Action Badge, Army Staff Identification Badge, Iowa Service Ribbon, Minnesota Service Ribbon and the Minnesota Active Duty Ribbon.

Bargfrede's civilian occupation is as the Recovery Bureau Operations Chief for Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

Willibald (Bill) C. Bianchi was born on March 12, 1915, in New Ulm, Minnesota. He grew up on a 72-acre poultry farm and assisted with farm chores. Responsibility was given to Bianchi early in life. While he was a sophomore at New Ulm High School, his father died and he had to take over the burden of farm work. At age 21, Bianchi enrolled at SDSU where majored in à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã science and was active as an Army ROTC cadet and as a Jackrabbit football player. Upon graduation, Bianchi was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Army. He requested foreign service in order to see action at the earliest possible date.

In 1941, Bianchi's first task was to convert Philippine natives into trained soldiers. Bianchi distinguished himself by transforming these natives into fearless jungle fighters. The Congressional Medal of Honor was awarded to Bianchi after the famous Toul pocket on West Bataan on Feb. 3, 1942. Bianchi volunteered to lead part of a rifle platoon that was ordered to wipe out two strong enemy machine gun nests. He was wounded early in the action when two bullets passed through his left hand. He didn't stop for first aid, but discarded his rifle and began firing a pistol. He located a machine gun nest and silenced it with grenades. After being wounded a second time by two machine gun bullets through the chest, Bianchi climbed to the top of an American tank, manned its anti-aircraft gun and fired into the strongly-held enemy position until he was knocked off the tank by a grenade blast. Bianchi's actions succeeded in weakening the Japanese position so that it was later captured by infantrymen with minimal effort. Bianchi was captured with the main forces in the fall of Bataan on April 9, 1942.

He was imprisoned with other troops for 24 hours without food or water, then started the infamous 65-mile death march from Mariveles to San Fernando. Despite hunger, thirst and heat, Bianchi was up and down the line helping men, spurring them on and sharing their burdens. Bianchi was moved to several camps, each with conditions worse than the one before. There were no medical supplies, clean clothes or sanitary facilities and little food. Prisoners slept on mud-floored huts, soaked by rain. Bianchi's reputation as a caregiver continued as he did what he could do to aid his fellow men who, like himself, were suffering from the effects of the starvation diet, work and dreadful living conditions. Bianchi bartered with his captors and managed to obtain food from their mess halls and made numerous personal contacts to land aid for hundreds of prisoners. One of Bianchi's most difficult assignments was to provide the rather short rations that were issued by the captors honestly. All too often, those put in charge of food distribution used their position to better the lot of themselves and their friends at the expense of the overall group.

This human weakness showed itself in all ranks and in people from all walks of life. It took a man of great character and determination, such as Bianchi, to first see that all men received a fair share. On Oct. 16, 1944, Bianchi was transferred to Bilibid prison in Luzon, where conditions were even worse than at O'Donnell and Cabuanatuan. He left Bilibid on Dec. 12, 1944, aboard the Japanese ship Orokyo Maru, where he again provided assistance to his buddies. A few days later he was transferred to an unmarked prison ship. The morning of Jan. 9, 1945, an American plane, unaware the target was filled with American prisoners of war, dropped a 1,000-pound bomb into the hold of the anchored ship. Bianchi was killed instantly. He was 29. Carrie Bianchi (Bianchi's Mother) wrote that, "As a mother, I am proud to be able to give to this generation and to our beloved America the most precious gift that life makes possible, my only son."

Maj. Gen. Lloyd Burtch was born in Sioux Falls, South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã on Nov. 24, 1946. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã State University and received an Army ROTC Commission as a second lieutenant in 1969. Burtch entered active duty in April 1969 and attended Engineer Officer Basic Course at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. He attended the Supply Management Officer course at Fort Lee, Virginia and was assigned to the 9th Logistics Command at Sattahip, Thailand. Upon his return from Southeast Asia, he served as a company commander and as battalion adjutant in the 553rd supply and Service Battalion at Fort Hood, Texas.

Burtch entered the Active United States Army Reserve in May 1972. He served in several staff assignments with the Headquarters, 90th US Army Reserve Command, San Antonio, Texas. These staff assignments culminated with assignments as the inspector general, the deputy chief of staff for personnel and finally, in 1988 he was selected as the chief of staff of the 90th ARCOM. In 1990, Burtch assumed command of the 321st Civil Affairs Brigade, San Antonio, Texas. He was selected for promotion to Major General and assigned as the assistant military deputy in the Office of the Secretary of the Army (acquisitions, logistics and technology).

Burtch's military decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal with Silver Oak Leaf Cluster, the Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Medal and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Burtch's military education includes the Engineer Officer Basic Course, Supply Management Officer Course, Military Advisors Course, Adjutant General Advanced Course and Civil Affairs Advanced Course. He is a graduate of the Command and General Staff College and the United States Army War College. Burtch received a Master of Arts degree in psychology from St. Mary's University in San Antonio, Texas in 1975 and a Ph.D. in educational psychology from the University of Texas at Austin in 1986.

Burtch retired as deputy director, human resources directorate, Armstrong Laboratory, Brooks AFB, Texas, after a 25-year career with the Air Force.

Burtch teaches Psychology at John A. Logan College in Carterville, Illinois. Two grown children live in Texas and California.

Brig. Gen. Keith W. Corbett was the assistant adjutant general for the South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã Army National Guard. As the assistant adjutant general, his responsibilities included readiness of the South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã Army National Guard's troops for training and mobilization exercises.

Corbett began his military service in 1976 with his commission from Air Force ROTC, South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã State University. Corbett became a transportation officer in the South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã Army National Guard on Dec. 28, 1983. He has held numerous command positions with the HHD, 139th, Transportation Battalion, 1742nd Transportation Company, 665th Maintenance Company and was battalion commander of the 88th Troop Command. One of his most recent assignments was deputy commander joint force headquarters.

Corbett holds a degree in chemistry, a master's degree in adult education and high education administration plus an education doctorate in leadership. He is a graduate of the U.S. Army War College.

He served as the professor of military science at South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã State University from April 1999 to June 2002. He is currently the dean of University College at SDSU.

Commander of the First Infantry Division in Vietnam

Gen. DePuy was an officer of the highest ideals. His courage, sound judgment and leadership produced military achievements of great value to his country. DePuy's military career spanned 36 years and three wars. With his passing, the nation lost a faithful, valiant servant and the United States Army a great commander.

Gen. William E. DePuy was born in Jamestown, North à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã, Oct. 1, 1919. He graduated from South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã State University with a Bachelor of Science in economics. He was commissioned through Army ROTC as a second lieutenant in 1941 in the Infantry and joined the 20th Infantry Regiment, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. In April 1942, he joined the 357th Infantry Regiment of the 90th Division, Camp Barkley, Texas, where he served in a number of positions including Regimental Operations Officer and Battalion Commander, deploying with the regiment to the European Theater of Operations in March 1944. He fought with the division in the Normandy hedgerows and during the Northern France, Ardennes, Rheinland and Central Europe Campaigns. In July 1945, he became G-3 of the 90th Infantry Division. In the fall of 1945, he returned to the United States to attend the Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Following graduation he was assigned to the War Department General Staff in the Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-1. DePuy attended the Army Language School in Monterey, California in January 1948 for a 12 month course in Russian. He then attended a course at the Strategic Intelligence School in Washington, D.C. prior to becoming the assistant military attache, and later the acting Army attache in Budapest, Hungary in 1949. Depuy's next assignment in 1950 was with the Central Intelligence Agency in Washington, D.C. where he headed China operations. In Feb. 1953, DePuy entered the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Virginia, and upon graduation was assigned to Germany where he served a three year tour as assistant G-3 in V Corps; commanding officer of the 2d Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment; and acting deputy chief of staff' in V Corps. Returning again to Washington, D.C., in 1956, he served for four years in the Office of the Chief of Staff of the Army helping in designing the Army's force structure, doctrine and training policies.

In 1960, DePuy returned to Europe, first to attend the British Imperial Defense College in London, England and then after one year in England, he went to Schweinfurt, Germany to become the commander of the First Battle Group, 13th Infantry, Third Infantry Division. In May 1962, DePuy returned to Washington where he served as director of special warfare in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Military Operations. He later was director, plans and programs, Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff for Force Development. DePuy was ordered to Vietnam in May 1964, where he served as assistant chief of staff for operations, military assistance command Vietnam (MACV). In March 1966, he became commanding general, First Infantry Division. Upon returning from Vietnam in March 1967, DePuy joined the Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff as the special assistant for counterinsurgency and special activities. On March 10, 1969, he was promoted to lieutenant general and assumed the duties of assistant vice chief of staff of the Army, a position he held for four years. DePuy became deputy commanding general, United States Continental Army Command in March of 1973 and later became the first commander of the Army's Training and Doctrine Command. This new command had overall responsibility for the Army's training center and school system, the ROTC program, and combat and doctrine development. During his tenure, DePuy set the Army on the course that ultimately, produced the winning teams during Operations JUST CAUSE and DESERT STORM. DePuy retired from Active Duty in July 1977, but remained active in military affairs. He continued to write extensively on professional military subjects and lecture at the services' colleges.

For his service, DePuy's awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster, Distinguished Service Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, The Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal with Valor Device and the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster. His foreign decorations include the Order of Commander in the French Legion of Honor, the Knight's Cross of the Germany Order of Merit, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry and the Republic of Korea Order of National Security Merit First Class.

DePuy's life was characterized by courage, dedication and vision: These qualities earned him the respect of all who knew him.

Assistant Surgeon General for Mobilization, Readiness and National Guard Affairs

Brig. Gen. Jill K. Faris assumed duties as the U.S. Army's assistant surgeon general for mobilization, readiness and National Guard affairs on June 23, 2014. As assistant surgeon general, she assists the deputy surgeon general in providing consultative services and strategic planning in all aspects of medical readiness, health care, medical personnel, medical operational and training issues that comprise the critical medical readiness indicators pertaining to the Army National Guard. Faris began her military career in 1982 when she enlisted in the South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã Army National Guard. She received her commission in 1987 through Reserve Officer Training Corp at South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã State University. She has served in all medical operations positions from company through Division and Joint Force Headquarters. Recent assignments include deputy state surgeon, deputy commander medical detachment, deputy J-1 mobilization readiness and deputy surgeon for the Army National Guard.

Education

• 1987 - South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã State University, Bachelor of Arts Degree, broadcast journalism, Brookings.
• 2003 - Trident University International, Master of Business Administration in military management, Cypress, California.
• 2012 - United States Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania.

Assignments

1. Nov. 1987 - Nov. 1987, special project officer, LT Transition Management Division, ARPERCEN, St. Louis, Missouri.
2. Nov. 1987 - Sept. 1989, platoon leader, Ambulance Platoon, HSC 204th Medical Battalion Cottage Grove, Minnesota.
3. Sept. 1989 - Mar. 1992, field medical assistant, Assistant S-3, 204th Medical Battalion, Cottage Grove, Minnesota.
4. April 1992 - Oct. 1992 IRR Control Group.
5. Oct. 1992 - Feb. 1993, field medical assistant, Assistant S-3, 204th Medical Battalion, Cottage Grove, Minnesota.
6. Mar. 1993 - Nov. 1994, plans officer, Division Medical Operation Center, 34th DISCOM, Bloomington, Minnesota.
7. Dec. 1994 - Mar. 1996, medical company executive officer, Company C, 134th Main Support Battalion Cottage Grove, Minnesota.
8. April 1996 - Sept. 1996, S-2/3, Headquarters 134th Forward Support Battalion, North Minneapolis, Minnesota.
9. Oct. 1997 - May 1999, medical company commander, Company F, 434th Main Support Battalion, Cottage Grove, Minnesota.
10. Jun. 1999 - Jun. 2001, logistical plans officer, Future Operation, HHC 34th Infantry Division, Rosemount, Minnesota.
11. Dec. 2001 - Dec. 2004, executive officer, Medical Detachment, State Area Command, St. Paul, Minnesota.
12. Dec. 2004 - May 2005, chief, Division Medical Operations Center, 34th DISCOM, Bloomington, Minnesota.
13. Jun. 2004 - Oct. 2005, TRICARE reserve component benefits assistance coordinator, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.
14. May 2005 - Oct. 2006, deputy state surgeon, Ohio Joint Force Headquarters, Columbus, Ohio.
15. Nov. 2006 - Sept. 2007, deputy commander, Medical Detachment, Joint Force Headquarters, Columbus, Ohio.
16. Oct. 2007 - Oct. 2008, deputy, J-1 Mobilization Readiness, Joint Force Headquarters, Columbus, Ohio.
17. Oct. 2008 - Sept. 2010, personnel readiness officer, Joint Force Headquarters, Columbus, Ohio.
18. Oct. 2010 - Jun. 2014, deputy surgeon, ARNG Surgeons Office, Arlington, Virginia.
19. Jun. 2014 - Present, assistant surgeon general for Mobilization, Readiness and National Guard Affairs, Falls Church, Virginia.

• Meritorious Service Medal (with 1 Silver Oak Cluster)
• Army Commendation Medal (with 3 Bronze Oak Clusters)
• Army Achievement Medal Air Force Achievement Ribbon Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (with 1 Silver Oak Leave Cluster and 3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters)
• National Defense Service Medal (with 1 Bronze Service Star)
• Humanitarian Service Ribbon Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with Gold Hourglass Device)
• Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon (with Numeral 3)
• Army Service Ribbon Ohio Distinguished Service Ribbon Ohio State Service Ribbon (with Numeral 2)
• Ohio Faithful Service Ribbon Minnesota Service Ribbon (with 3 Bronze Oak Clusters)

Professional Memberships and Affiliations

• Credentialed by the American Academy of Medical Administrators (CAAMA).
• Lifetime member National Guard Officer Association of Ohio.
• Lifetime member National Guard Association of the United States.
• Member of the ARNG Executive Medical Advisory Committee.

Other Achievements

• 2013 - Lincoln Senior High School Hall of Fame Inductee.

Effective Dates of Promotion

• Second lieutenant, May 19, 1987
• First lieutenant, May 3, 1990
• Captain, Sept. 18, 1991
• Major, April 17, 1996
• Lieutenant colonel, Feb. 22, 2002
• Colonel, Nov. 9, 2006
• Brigadier general, Dec. 11, 2014

Merle Freitag was born in Avon, South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã on June 8, 1940. Upon completion of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps curriculum and the educational course of study at South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã State University in 1962, he was commissioned a second lieutenant and awarded the Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics. He subsequently attended Tulane University and received a Master of Business Administration degree with specialty in operations research/systems analysis. His military education includes Transportation Officers Basic and Advanced Courses, Command and General Staff College and the U.S. Army War College.

Lt. Gen. Freitag has held a wide variety of command and staff assignments culminating in his current assignment as the assistant director, defense research and engineering (test and evaluation), Office of the Secretary of Defense. Other key assignments included director of resources and management office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, United States Army, Washington, D.C.; commander, Division Support Command,101st Airborne Division(Air Assault), Ft. Campbell, Kentucky; and chief, Acquisition Support Programs Analysis Division and Program Analysis and Evaluation Directorate, Office, Chief of Staff, United States Army. Freitag served in a variety of other career building assignments prior to his most recent duties. He was chief, command and leadership branch for the Army Transportation School, Fort Eustis, Virginia. Reassigned to Korea, he commanded the 45th Transportation Company Aircraft Maintenance. Returning to the United States he was assigned as the executive officer of the Division Support Command and subsequently commanded the 5th Transportation Battalion both in the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

à£à£Ö±²¥Ðãs and decorations that Freitag has received include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart and the Meritorious Service Medal (with two oak leaf clusters). He is also the recipient of the Air Medal (with " V" device and twenty oak leaf clusters) and the Army Commendation Medal. General Freitag is authorized to wear the Master Aviator Badge and the Air Assault Badge.

Retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Archie Higdon was the son of James Cleveland Higdon (Cleve) and Angeline Robb (Angie) and was born Oct.22, 1905 in a log cabin in Saline, Mercer County, Missouri. Higdon received his B.S. from South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã State University in 1928. He received his M.S. in 1930 and his Ph.D. in 1936, both from Iowa State University. His teaching career spanned many years and several Universities: North à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã State University, 1930-1934; Iowa State University, 1934-1942 and 1946-1951; U.S. Military Academy, 1952-1954; U.S. Air Force Academy, 1954-1967; California State Polytechnic College, 1967-1972.

His military career included service in the National Guard, ROTC and Reserves. In World War II he served in the Army Air Corps from 1942-1946. He was recalled to active duty in 1951 during the Korean War and retired from the Air Force as a Brigadier General in 1967. He was awarded the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, and the USA and USAF Commendation Medals.

Higdon served as the chairman of three departments at the United States Air Force Academy: mathematics, physics and mechanics. He was later chairman of the Basic Science Division, chairman of the Engineering Sciences Division and associate dean for Basic Sciences and Engineering. He was awarded the title of professor emeritus in recognition of his distinguished contribution to the Air Force Academy as a faculty member and permanent professor. Following his retirement from the Air Force, Higdon was the dean of the School of Engineering and Technology at California State Polytechnic College, in San Luis Obispo, California.

Higdon was an active member of the American Society for Engineering Education and was the assistant director of the undergraduate study on the goals of engineering education. He was a member of Sigma Xi, Pi Mu Epsilon and Phi Kappa Phi. He was the author of two books: Engineering Mechanics and Mechanics of Materials. 

Branch

• AG

Civilian Education

• Brookings High School, graduated 1949.
• South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã State University, B.S. degree in general science, received 1953.
• South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã State University, One year graduate study completed 1957.
• Civil Service Courses: Managing and Understanding Human Behavior, Labor Relations, Grievances, Labor Relations Negotiation Procedures, Labor Relations Negotiated Agreements, The Supervisor and the Union, Management by Objectives, Middle Management Institute, National Guard Supervisor Course I and II.

Military Education:

• Basic Infantry Officers Course, 1953
• Combined Service Support Course, 1955
• Engineer Officer Basic Course, 1957
• Disaster Recovery Course, 1961
• Adjutant General Officer Refresher Course, 1962
• Adjutant General Officer Advance Course, 1967
• Army Extension Correspondence Course (AEC)
• Selective Service Courses No. 1 through No, 4, 1964-1967, AEC
• Civil Defense Leadership Course 1968
• Five years study, Command and General Staff Course, 1972, AEC
• Inspector General Orientation Course, 1975
• National Security Seminar conducted by the National Defense University, 1983

à£à£Ö±²¥Ðãs and Decorations

• Legion of Merit Meritorious Service Medal
• Army Commendation Medal
• Army Achievement Medal
• European Occupational Medal
• National Defense Service Medal
• Armed Forces Reserve Medal W/2-10 year Device
• Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal W/2 Oak Leaf Clusters
• Army Service Ribbon
• South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã Distinguished Service Ribbon
• Recruiter à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã
• South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã Perfect Attendance Ribbon W/XV Device
• South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã National Guard Unit Citation

Employment History

• July 20, 1953 - Sept. 1, 1956, Commissioned Officer, 1 LT, U.S. Army (Regular Army)
• Sept. 2, 1956 - June 30, 1957, Graduate Student, South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã State University
• July 1, 1957 - May 19, 1984, South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã Army National Guard (Retired as Brig. Gen.)
• May 21, 1984 - Present, Investment Broker, A.G. Edwards and Sons, Inc.

Military History

• Graduated as a Distinguished Military Graduate in 1953, commissioned 2LT in the Regular Army.
• Entered Active Duty and served at the following duty locations: Fort Benning, Georgia; Fort Riley, Kansas; Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri; Alameda Naval Air Station, California; Salzburg, Austria and Augsburg, Germany.
• Resigned from Regular Army on Sept. 1, 1956.
• Joined South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã National Guard on Oct. 18, 1956 as a member of the 139th Transportation Battalion, Brookings.
• Transferred to Rapid City July 1, 1957 and served as a staff officer at State Headquarters, SDNG until retirement on Jun. 30, 1985. (Note - I was retired as a full time technician in May 1984 and as a member of the National Guard in Jun. 1985.).

Community Activities

• National Guard Association of the United States.
• Past president of the National Guard Association, South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã.
• Past president Burnt-Toast Toastmasters.
• Past president (five years) Department of Military Affairs Federal Credit Union.
• South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã State University Alumni Association president Board of Directors South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã State University Foundation .
• Rapid City Chamber of Commerce - Military Affairs Committee (20 years).
• Veteran of Foreign Wars Post 1273 (life time Membership).
• Past President Kiwanis Downtown Rapid City Club
• Past Lt. Gov., Black Hills Division, Minnesota/à£à£Ö±²¥Ðãs Dist., Kiwanis Intl.
• Past president "One Club."
• Past president South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã Federal Business Association (West) (board member, three years).
• Past president (two years) of Meadowbrook PTA.
• Manager, Little League Baseball (active five years).
• Past president, Rapid Skiers, Inc.
• Past president 39 Club.
• Past vice president, Black Hills Pony League (baseball).
• Past president board of directors, Sky Ranch for Boys.

Brig. Gen. Rodney L. Johnson was born in Atkinson, Nebraska on April 13, 1955 and raised in the rural area of Burke. Johnson married his wife, Marsha, when he was a junior at South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã State University. He graduated from SDSU in May 1977 and subsequently received a Reserve Army commission as a second lieutenant in the Military Police Corps.

Johnson is dual-hatted as the provost marshal (PMG) of the Army or top cop, and the commanding general, United States Army Criminal Investigation Command (CIDC). Balancing both jobs makes life interesting. As the PMG, Johnson has an office at the Pentagon for the third time in his career; yes, if you survive once, they will bring you back. In this role, his primary responsibilities are in the Title 10 arena and his focus is to ensure our 54,000 Military Police located around the world are trained, equipped and prepared to conduct law enforcement and for deployments. As the CIDC CG, Brigadier General Johnson has the privilege of leading over 2,500 personnel world-wide at 121 different locations that are responsible for all Army Felony level investigations and Protective Services for Senior Army/DoD personnel.

Key assignments have included commander, 545th Division MP Company (1st Cav Div), Fort Hood Texas; S3, 720th MP Battalion, Fort Hood, Texas; chief, Plans Branch, Office of the Provost Marshal, HQ USAREUR; executive officer, 97th MP Battalion in the Federal Republic of Germany; commander, 720th MP Battalion, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and Fort Hood, Texas; chief, Current Operations, Department of Military Support, ODCSOPS, Washington, D.C.; commander, 14th MP Brigade, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri; executive officer, director of the Army Staff, Washington, D.C.; executive officer, commanding general TRADOC, Fort Monroe, Virginia and commandant, USA Military Police School, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.

Johnson has a Bachelor of Science Degree in sociology from South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã State University; a Master of Science Degree in police science and public administration from Wichita State University; and a Master of Science degree in national security strategy from the National War College. His military education includes the MP Officer Basic Course, the MP Officer Advanced Course, the Combined Arms Services Staff School, the Command and General Staff College, the DoD Emergency Preparedness Course and the National War College. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy.

Johnson's awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit (3OLC), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (4OLC), Army Commendation Medal (2OLC), Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal (Bronze Star), Humanitarian Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal (OLC), Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Medal, Airborne Wings and the Army Staff Badge.  Additionally, he wears the Joint Meritorious Unit à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã (OLC), the Army Superior Unit à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã (OLC), and the Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation and is an MPOA Distinguished Honor Graduate, USAMPS Distinguished Instructor, CGSC Military Police Honor Graduate and recipient of the Military Police Regimental Association Order of The Marechaussee.

Johnson and Marsha have been blessed with three great kids: Spencer, Ashley and Tyler.

Brig. Gen. Jacob J. Krull was born in Watertown on Dec. 23, 1938. Krull received his commission as a second lieutenant, Artillery branch on June 6, 1960. He was ordered to active duty on Feb. 27, 1961 and assigned to Battery C, 7th Guided Missile Training Battalion, Air Defense Training Command, Fort Bliss, Texas. He served as a platoon leader until Aug. 1, 1962 when he was assigned as Battery Commander, Battery C, 1st Guided Missile Training Battalion. He was promoted to First Lieutenant on Aug. 27, 1962. In Nov. 1962, he was assigned as Liaison Officer to the United States Air Force Air Defense Command, Key West, Florida, to monitor foreign air traffic during the Cuban Missile Crisis. 

He was discharged from active duty on Feb. 26, 1963. On July 23, 1963, BG Krull was appointed in the South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã Army National Guard. He was assigned as executive officer to Battery B 2nd Battalion 147th Field Artillery until Aug. 15, 1965 when he assumed command of the unit. He was promoted to captain on Nov. 18, 1965. He was transferred to Headquarters and Headquarters 2nd battalion 147th Field Artillery on Dec. 15, 1970 and assigned as liaison officer. In August 1972, BG Krull was assigned as the Assistant S-3 for the 2nd Battalion. He was transferred to Battery a 2nd Battalion 147th Field Artillery on Apr. 19, 1974 and assigned as commanding officer. 

Krull returned to Headquarters 2nd Battalion 147th Field Artillery in June of 1974. He was promoted to Major on June 11, 1974. His principal duty was S-3 Officer, which he held until Feb. 1, 1977. During this period he laid the groundwork for improving readiness throughout the Battalion and formulated the operations and training policies which attributed to the 2nd Battalion winning the Milton A. Record Trophy for Outstanding Battalion, Region VIII, Sixth U.S. Army for training years 1979, 1980, 1981 and 1982.

In February 1977, Brigadier General Krull was reassigned to the executive officer position in the Second Battalion. He was transferred as executive officer to the 1st Battalion 147th Field Artillery and served in that capacity until Aug. 31, 1978. He was the transferred to Headquarters 147th Field Artillery Brigade on Sept. 1, 1978 and assigned as S-3 Officer. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel on Nov. 17, 1978. He was reassigned on Oct. 15, 1982 to executive officer for the Brigade. On Jan. 1, 1984, he assumed command of the Brigade and was promoted to Colonel. Krull was appointed assistant adjutant general for the South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã Army National Guard effective Sept. 1, 1986, and was promoted to brigadier general on Oct. 8, 1986.

Decorations and à£à£Ö±²¥Ðãs

• Meritorious Service Medal
• Army Commendation Medal with One Oak Leaf Cluster
• National Defense Service Medal
• Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Hour Glass
• Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal with Three Oak Leaf Clusters
• Army Service Ribbon
• Army Reserves Components Overseas Training Ribbon
• South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã Unit Citation
• South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã Five Year Perfect Attendance Ribbon with "XV" device
• Civic Affiliations, National Association of Life Underwriters
• Lions Club International
• Elks Club
• National Guard Association of the United States
• Served in the South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã State Legislature from 1973-1983
• Served as Minority Leader of the South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã State Senate from 1979-1983

Brig. Gen. Ronald W. Mielke was born in Aberdeen. He graduated from Groton High School in 1960. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering and an ROTC commission from the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps at South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã State University in 1965. He attended the Engineer Officer Basic Course at Fort Belvoir, Virginia and was assigned to a combat engineer battalion. He served with that battalion in Vietnam from October 1965 through September 1966. Upon returning to the United States, he served as company commander in a construction engineer battalion for a year. He left active duty in September 1967 to attend graduate school at the University of South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã where he earned a Masters in Business Administration in 1969.

Mielke joined the South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã Air National Guard as a captain in 1972. He served as a civil engineer staff officer and operations officer for many years and was the 114th Civil Engineering Squadron commander for five years. His squadron earned an excellent rating in the 12th Air Force ROI in 1988. This was only the second excellent rating given to a civil engineering squadron in the 12th Air Force. He commanded several civil engineering Prime Beef deployments throughout the United States and four overseas deployments to US Air Force bases. On July 1, 1989, he was assigned to the Headquarters, SDANG as the director of Plans and Programs. On Aug. 1, 1995, he was appointed by Governor William J. Janklow to serve as the assistant adjutant general for Air for the State of South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã. He served in that position until his retirement on Oct. 24, 2002.

In his civilian career, Mielke has been employed by TSP for the past 42 years. He is one of the thirteen principal's in the organization. TSP is an architectural, engineering and construction organization that employs 130 people in Sioux Falls and Rapid City; Sheridan, Wyoming; Omaha, Nebraska; Marshalltown and Des Moines, Iowa and Rochester, Minneapolis and Marshall, Minnesota. He is a registered professional mechanical engineer in South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã and several other states. During his TSP career, he served twenty years as the CEO of the organization.

Mielke is an instrument rated, private pilot and enjoys flying, traveling, reading and spectator sports. He is a member of the South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve and serves as its chair; Life Member and current South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã State president and Dacotah Chapter member of the Air Force Association; current co-chairman and member of the Sioux Falls Military Task Force; current member of the South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã Board of Military Affairs; current member and past-president of Sioux Falls Downtown Rotary; executive committee and board member of the Sioux Falls Airshow; past chairman of the Board and Business Leadership Council Chairman of the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce; past chairman and board member of the Sioux Empire United Way; past board member of the Sioux Falls Are Community Foundation; past chairman of the Board and board member of Starbase of SD, Inc.; Life Member of the National Guard Association of the United States and South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã; and a member of the National Society of Professional Engineers.

Mielke resides in Sioux Falls and has one son, Steve. BG Mielke's wife of 43 years, Charlotte, passed award in May 2013.

Maj. Gen. Alan A. Nord, a native of Faulkton, South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã, began his military career with enlisted service in the Military Police Corps in 1946-47. Upon graduation from South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã State College with a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry in 1952, he received his regular Army commission as a Distinguished Military Graduate and a Rhodes Scholarship for study at Oxford University in England. He has earned a Master of Arts degree in chemistry from Oxford University and a Master of Science degree in international affairs from George Washington University. He also attended John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University for a three week summer session. His military education includes the U.S. Army Infantry School Basic Course, the U.S. Army Chemical School Career Course, the Army Command and General Staff College and the National War College.

Nord has served in a wide variety of military assignments in both command and staff positions during his career. In addition to numerous stateside tours, he served overseas in Vietnam and Europe. His assignments include duties as an infantry company commander; assistant professor of chemistry at the United States Military Academy; chemical combat developments staff officer at the Chemical School; chemical plans officer and then secretary of the General Staff with the XVIII Airborne Corps; chemical staff officer in J-3 (Operations), Military Assistance Command, Vietnam; chemical staff officer in the Office of the Army Chief of Staff; chief of nuclear plans and fire support in G-3 Division, Central Army Group, Europe; project manager for safeguard munitions; commander of Seneca Army Depot; director of procurement and then deputy commanding general of the U.S. Army Armament Command and Director of Supply and Maintenance in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics at Department of the Army.

Nord was assigned as commanding general of the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico in 1980 and was privileged to host the landing of the nation's third flight of the Space Shuttle Columbia in March 1982. From 1982 to 1985, General Nord was Commanding General of Fort McClellan, Alabama, and Commandant of the U.S. Army Chemical School. As proponent for the Chemical Branch, he also served as chief of the Chemical Corps. Nord retired from the Army in July 1985 after more than 34 years of active service.

Military awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and the Parachute Badge.

General Nord and his wife, Elizabeth, are the parents of three sons, Brian, Andrew and Kevin.

Maj. Gen. Robert (Bob) E. Schulte served as the assistant adjutant general for Army, North à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã Army National Guard, in Bismarck, North à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã. His responsibilities included assisting the adjutant general in the deployment and coordination of programs, policies and plans affecting the 4,100 members of the North à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã Army National Guard.

Schulte was born Dec.8, 1936, in Carroll, Iowa. He graduated from the South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts in 1959. He attended the Close Combat Course and Day and Night Infiltration Course in 1960; the Armor Officer Basic Course in 1960; Officer Rotary Wing Aviator Course in 1960; Officer Rotary Wing Aviator Course, Phase II in 1961; National Guard Rotary Wing Standardization Course in 1969; The Engineer Officer Basic Correspondence (non-resident) in 1969; Engineer Officer Career Course in 1971 and Command and General Staff (resident and non-resident) in 1977.

Schulte began his military career when he was commissioned as a second lieutenant through the Senior Reserve Officers' Training Corps at SDSU on Dec. 18, 1959. He served on active duty as an officer from March 13, 1960 until March 1, 1963. He completed the Armor Officer Basic Course - Ft. Knox, Kentucky and was assigned as a platoon leader with Co C, 1st Bn, 6th Armd Cav at Ft. Knox, Kentucky. He attended the Officer Rotary Wing Aviator Course - Camp Wolters, Texas, and was a Rotary Wing Aviator until his release from active duty as a First Lieutenant. Upon his release from active duty, Schulte was a member of the United States Army Reserve Control Group until Oct. 31, 1963. Schulte was appointed as a chief warrant officer Two in the North à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã Army National Guard on Nov. 1, 1963 and served as a helicopter pilot in various aviation positions until Sept. 19, 1967. He was reappointed as a first lieutenant on Sept. 20, 1967 and continued to serve in aviation positions until Nov. 30, 1972. He has served as a company commander and in various staff positions with engineer units of the North à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã Army National Guard. In August 1980 he was promoted to lieutenant colonel and served as a battalion commander for five years with the 141st Engineer Combat Battalion of the North à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã Army National Guard. Of special significance during his tenure as a Battalion Commander is that his battalion was the first in the North à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã Army National Guard to participate in combined arms training. Because of Schulte's pursuit of excellence in training, the use of combined arms training is one of the primary facets of training utilized by the North à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã Army National Guard, which has increased the State's combat readiness posture. In Aug. 1985, Schulte was promoted to colonel, and assigned as the commander of the 164th Engineer Group, North à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã Army National Guard. He served as group commander until July 6, 1988. On July 7, 1988 Schulte was appointed as the deputy assistant adjutant general for the State of North à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã. Schulte was promoted and federally recognized as a brigadier general on July 1, 1989.

The general's military decorations and awards include the Meritorious Service Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters; Army Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster; Army Achievement Medal; Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters; Armed Forces Reserve Medal with 1 Hour Glass Device; National Defense Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Medal; Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon; Master Army Aviator Badge. The general's civic affiliations include the National Guard Association of the United States; National Guard Association of North à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã; Mandan Lions Club; Mandan Elks; Knights of Columbus; American Legion; Mandan Chamber of Commerce; Mandan Athletic and Recreation Club; National Rifle Association; Capital City Gun Club and Ducks Unlimited, Inc.

In civilian life, General Schulte was vice-president of Operations, Cloverdale Foods Company in Mandan, North à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã.

Col. (Ret.) Leo K. Thorsness was born in Walnut Grove, Minnesota, on Feb. 14, 1932. He and Gaylee Anderson met in the freshman registration line at South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã State College in 1950, married in 1953 and have one daughter, Dawn. Thorsness has a Master's degree in systems management from the University of Southern California. In January 1951, he enlisted in the USAF; graduated from 54-G Aviation Cadets; served as SAC pilot, then TAC fighter pilot flying F-84's, F-100's and F-105's, accumulating about 5,000 hours of flying time. Thorsness was on a surface-to-air missile suppression mission over North Vietnam.

Thorsness and his wingman attacked and silenced a surface-to-air missile site with ground-to-air missiles and then destroyed a second surface-to-air missile site with bombs. In the attack on the second missile site, his wingman was shot down by intensive anti-aircraft fire and the two crewmembers abandoned their aircraft. Thorsness circled the descending parachutes to keep the crewmembers in sight and relay their position to the Search and Rescue Center. During this maneuver, a MIG-17 was sighted in the area. He immediately initiated an attack and destroyed the MIG. Because his aircraft was low on fuel, he was forced to depart the area in search of a tanker. Upon being advised that two helicopters were orbiting over the downed crew's position and that there were hostile MIGs in the area posing a serious threat to the helicopters, Thorsness, despite his low fuel condition, decided to return alone through a hostile environment of surface-to-air missile and anti-aircraft defenses to the downed crew's position. As he approached the area, he spotted 4 MIG-17 aircraft and immediately initiated an attack on the MIGs, damaging one and driving the others away from the rescue scene. 

When it became apparent that an aircraft in the area was critically low on fuel and the crew would have to abandon the aircraft unless they could reach a tanker, Thorsness, although critically short on fuel himself, helped to avert further possible loss of life and a friendly aircraft by recovering at a forward operating base, thus allowing the aircraft in emergency fuel condition to refuel safely. Thorsness' extraordinary heroism, self-sacrifice and personal bravery involving conspicuous risk of life were in the highest traditions of the military service, and have reflected great credit upon himself and the U.S. Air Force. 

Thorsness flew 19 1/2 Wild Weasel missions over North Vietnam in the 357th TFS, was shot down in April 1967, became a POW in North Vietnam and was released in 1973. After his service in the Armed Forces, Thorsness worked at Litton Corporate Headquarters in Beverly Hills for six years, and in 1986, he and Gaylee moved to Seattle, Washington, where he served as a Washington State Senator from 1988 to 1992. 

In 1993, Leo and Gaylee built a waterfront home in Indianola, Washington, where they retired and were involved in aquaculture. In 1998, Leo and Gaylee moved to Alexandria, Virginia, and recently began building a home in Saddlebrooke, Arizona. Gaylee, for the third time, confirms this their "last house."

Maj. Gen. Gary Wattnem was born in Estelline, South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã on July 23, 1946. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in economics from South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã State University where he received an ROTC commission as a second lieutenant in 1969. Wattnem entered active duty in April 1969 and attended the Transportation Officer Basic Course at Fort Eustis, Virginia. He then served a tour of duty at the Eastern Area Military Traffic Management and Terminal Service in Brooklyn, New York. During 1970 and 1971 he served in Vietnam with the 71 st Transportation Battalion at Long Binh, Republic of Vietnam.

Wattnem entered the Active Reserve in November 1971. His assignments include company commander, 404th Signal Company, Waterloo, lowa and Signal Officer, 394th Ammo Battalion, Ames, lowa. He then was assigned to the 103d Corps Support Command where he held a number of positions including communications-electronics officer; executive officer, Special Troops Battalion; secretary, General Staff; plans officer; movement control officer; commander, Special Troops Battalion and Assistant Chief of Staff, Transportation. He then was selected as commander, 56th Material Management Center at Fort Snelling, Minnesota. In September 1993, he became the chief of staff, 19th Theater Army Area Command (CONUS Augmentation) in Des Moines, lowa. In August 1996, he assumed command of the 3d Corps Support Command (CONUS Augmentation) in Des Moines, lowa.

Wattnem's military decorations include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with two Service Stars, Army Service Medal and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Wattnem's military education includes the Transportation Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, Signal Officer Advanced Course, Combat Service Support Pre-Command Course, Reserve Components National Security Course and the Support Command Refresher Course. He is also a graduate of the Command and General Staff College, Associate Logistics Executive Development Course and the Army War College. Major General Gary Wattnem's civilian occupation is Regional Sales Manager of Central North America for the Ophthalmic Instrument Division of Leica, Inc.

General Wattnem and his wife, Vicki, reside in Mason City, lowa. They have two married daughters, Melissa Mahoney and Jina Long.

Brig. Gen. Myrna H. Williamson entered the Army in 1960 from her home in Gregory. She is a graduate of the WAC Officer Basic Course, the WAC Officer Advanced Course, the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, the National War College and the Tri-Service General Office CAPSTONE Course. Her civilian education includes a Bachelor of Science from South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã State University, a Master of Arts from the University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma and completion of Harvard University's Senior Managers in Government course.

Early in her career, BG Williamson served in the Public Affairs Office, Fort Ord, California; the US Army Reception Station, Fort Lewis, Washington and as chief, Women's Army Corps Recruiting in Sioux Falls and later at the Presidio of San Francisco, California. She also served at HQ, US Army Europe, Heidelberg, Germany, as a company commander. From 1971-74, BG Williamson served at the USA Field Artillery School, Fort Sill, Oklahoma. From there she went to the USA Military Police School/Training Center at Fort McClellan, Alabama, where she served successively as battalion executive officer, Chief of the Basic Training Committee Group and basic training battalion commander. Following graduation from the National War College in June 1980, BG Williamson served a joint tour at Eighth US Army in Korea. She next was assigned to the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for research, Development and Acquisition, HQ, Department of the Army, Washington D.C. On May 7, 1983, she assumed command of the Troop Brigade, US Army Soldier Support Center, Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana. She became Commanding General of the US Army Third ROTC Region, Fort Riley, Kansas, on Aug. 1, 1984.

Williamson's awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters and the Army General Staff Identification Badge.

Civilian honors include selection as "Distinguished Alumnus for Professional Achievement" by South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã State University (1984) and selection for Who's Who in America (1985).

Professional memberships include Phi Kappa Phi; National League for Nursing; American Legion; Association of the US Army; National Association of Uniformed Services; The Retired Officers Association; National Speakers' Association; WAC Veterans Association and fellow, Inter-University Seminar on Armed Forces and Society.

Charles V. Wilson was born on Feb. 27, 1919 in Brookings, South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã. Charles Wilson's military career started as a private in Company B, 109th Combat Engineer Regiment, South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã National Guard, where he served for two and a half years and was discharged as a corporal. After graduating from South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã State College (Bachelor of Science, electrical engineering, June 1940), Wilson was appointed a second lieutenant, Engineering Branch, in the Reserve Officers' Training Corps and on July 1, 1940 was commissioned in the regular Army as a second lieutenant in the infantry.

During World War II, Maj. Gen. Wilson served in Alaska and the Aleutian Islands, participated in the invasion of Kwajalein, Marshall Islands, served with XIX Corps during the Normandy Invasion, and in December 1944 returned to Washington, D.C. for assignment to the ACofS, G-1 Personnel, War Department General Staff. Following World War II, Wilson attended the University of Pennsylvania, obtaining his Master's Degree in electronics in 1948, served three years with a U.S. Army Test Board at Fort Bragg, North Carolina and in 1951 went to Korea where he commanded the 1st battalion, 27th Infantry "Wolfhound" Regiment. Upon his return to the U.S., he attended the Armed Forces Staff College at Norfolk, Virginia. He was the assigned to the Office of the Deputy Cheif of Staff for Military Operation, Department of the Army, Washington, D.C. In 1956, he attended the U.S. Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania, and then went to Headquarters, United States Continental Army Command, Fort Monroe, Virginia. Wilson was reassigned to the Panama Canal Zone in April 1960 where he commanded the 2nd Battle Group, 10th Infantry, until July 1961, when he became ACofS, G3, Operations, for the U.S. Army Caribbean at Fort Amador. Wilson then reported to MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, in June 1963 where he served as Director of Operations, J3, Headquarters United States Strike Command. Wilson became the assistant division commander of the 5th Infantry Division at Ft. Carson, Colorado in Aug. 1965, and in January 1966 was reassigned to the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Military Operations, Department of the Army, Washington, D.C.

Wilson retired in 1968. Citations and decorations include:

• Legion of Merit (Two Oak Leaf Clusters)
• Bronze Star Medal (Two Oak Leaf Clusters)
• Army Commendation Medal
• American Defense Medal
• Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with Two Campaign Stars
• Europe, Africa, Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with Three Campaign Stars
• American Campaign Medal
• World War II Victory Medal
• Croix de Guerre with Palm (Belgium)
• Croix de Guerre with Palm (France)
• Korean Service Medal with Three Campaign Stars
• United Nations Service Medal
• National Defense Medal
• War Department General Staff Identification Badge
• Combat Infantry Badge