James D. Thurman
James D. Thurman | |
|---|---|
 Thurman in July 2011 | |
| Born | September 19, 1953 Gainesville, Texas |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1975–2013 |
| Rank | General |
| Commands | United Nations Command ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command United States Forces Korea United States Army Forces Command V Corps 4th Infantry Division Fort Irwin National Training Center 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division (Mechanized) |
| Battles / wars | Gulf War Iraq War |
| Awards | Defense Distinguished Service Medal Army Distinguished Service Medal (5) Defense Superior Service Medal (2) Legion of Merit (4) Bronze Star Medal (2) |
James David Thurman (born September 19, 1953) is a retired United States Army general who served as the Commander of United Nations Command, R.O.K.-U.S. Combined Forces Command, and United States Forces Korea from July 14, 2011 until October 2, 2013.[1] He previously served as the 18th Commanding General, United States Army Forces Command from June 3, 2010 to July 8, 2011 and as Deputy Chief of Staff, G-3/5/7.[2] He was the former commanding general of United States V Corps in Heidelberg, Germany from January 19, 2007 to August 8, 2007.
Early life and education
[edit]Thurman's family was from Marietta, Oklahoma, and he was born in nearby Gainesville, Texas, on September 19, 1953.[3] He was raised in Marietta and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from East Central University. Thurman received a Regular Army Commission from the United States Army as a second lieutenant in 1975. His civilian education also includes a Master of Arts degree in management from Webster University.
Career
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Thurman began his career in the 4th Infantry Division, serving as Platoon Leader, Executive Officer, and Motor Officer for 6th Battalion, 32d Armor. He has commanded at all levels from company to division. After attending the Officer Rotary Wing Aviator Course, he commanded the Aero-Scout Platoon and later became the Operations Officer, A Troop, 1st Squadron, 17th Cavalry, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
From 1981 to 1982, Thurman attended the Armor Officer Advanced Course, United States Army Armor School, Fort Knox, Kentucky. Upon completion, he attended the AH-64 Aviator Qualification Course, United States Army Aviation Center of Excellence at Fort Rucker, Alabama, and then as Executive Officer, 3rd Squadron, 6th Cavalry Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas.
During 1989 to 1991, Thurman served as Executive Officer of the 1st Battalion, 32d Armor, 1st Cavalry Division and Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Saudi Arabia.
Thurman's previous assignments also include Commander of 2nd Squadron, 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment; 3d Squadron, 4th Cavalry, 3rd Infantry Division (Mechanized), United States Army Europe and Seventh Army, Germany; Commander, 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division (Mechanized), Fort Stewart, Georgia; Commander, Operations Group, United States Army National Training Center, Fort Irwin, California; Assistant to the Chief of Staff for Plans and Policy, Allied Forces Southern Europe, Regional Command South, Italy; Commanding General, Fort Irwin National Training Center, Fort Irwin, California; Director of Training, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-3, United States Army; and Chief, Operations, Coalition Forces Land Component Command, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Camp Doha, Kuwait.
Thurman left Kuwait to become the director, Army Aviation Task Force, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-3, United States Army in Washington, D.C., where he remained until his arrival at Fort Hood as the 4th Infantry commanding general.
On October 2, 2006, Thurman was nominated for promotion by President George W. Bush for appointment to the rank of lieutenant general. His receipt of promotion and his third star was January 19, 2007. On December 19, 2006, Thurman took over assignment in Heidelberg, Germany as the commanding general of V Corps along with the United States Army Europe and Seventh Army. His retirement ceremony was held at Fort Hood, Texas, on 22 November 2013.
Awards and decorations
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References
[edit] | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (February 2013) |
This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Army
- ^ Sang-ho, Song (July 14, 2011). "New USFK chief vows to bolster alliance". The Korean Herald. Retrieved July 14, 2011.
- ^ "General Officer Announcements, News Release No. 967-07". U.S. Department of Defence. August 6, 2007. Retrieved September 8, 2008.
- ^ "Nominations before the Senate Armed Services Committee" (PDF). 2011 Congressional Hearings (Senate Armed Services Committee). June 28, 2011. pp. 353 ff. Retrieved February 5, 2013.
External links
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- "Lieutenant General James D. Thurman – V Corps Commanding General" (PDF). April 16, 2007. Retrieved June 3, 2007.[permanent dead link]
- 1953 births
- Living people
- People from Marietta, Oklahoma
- People from Gainesville, Texas
- East Central University alumni
- American Senior Army Aviators
- Webster University alumni
- United States Army generals
- Recipients of the Distinguished Service Medal (US Army)
- Recipients of the Legion of Merit
- Recipients of the Defense Superior Service Medal
- Recipients of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal
- Commanders, United States Forces Korea
- Military personnel from Texas