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Martin Dempsey

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Martin Dempsey
Official portrait, 2012
Nickname(s)Marty
Born (1952-03-14) March 14, 1952 (age 72)
AllegianceUnited States
Service / branchUnited States Army
Years of service1974–2015
RankGeneral
CommandsChairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Chief of Staff of the United States Army
United States Army Training and Doctrine Command
United States Central Command
Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq
1st Armored Division
3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment
Battles / warsGulf War
Iraq War
AwardsDefense Distinguished Service Medal (3)
Army Distinguished Service Medal (6)
Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit (3)
Bronze Star Medal (2) with Valor V
Websitewww.generaldempsey.com Edit this at Wikidata
Martin Dempsey's voice
Dempsey comments on the differences between Syria and Libya at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on the Syrian civil war
Recorded March 7, 2012

Martin “Marty” Edward Dempsey (born March 14, 1952), is an American retired military officer who served as the 18th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from October 1, 2011 until September 25, 2015, his ceremonial last day (de facto); in actuality, his last day was September 30, 2015 (de jure).[1] He previously served as the 37th chief of Staff of the Army from April 11, 2011, to September 7, 2011. Before that, he served as Commanding General, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, from December 8, 2008, to April 11, 2011, as Acting Commander, U.S. Central Command, from March 24, 2008, to October 30, 2008, as Deputy Commander, U.S. Central Command, from August 2007 to March 23, 2008, and as Commanding General, Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq (MNSTC-I), from August 2005 to August 2007. Dempsey assumed his assignment as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on October 1, 2011 and stepped down from the Chairmanship on September 25, 2015.[2][3] He has served as a professor at Duke University and as chairman of USA Basketball.[4][5]

Early life

[edit]

Dempsey was born on March 14, 1952, in Jersey City, New Jersey, and grew up in nearby Bayonne.[6] He attended John S. Burke Catholic High School in Goshen, New York. Dempsey is Irish American.[7][8][9] Following high school, Dempsey attended the United States Military Academy at West Point and graduated with the Class of 1974. Dempsey's four grandparents were born in the counties of Sligo, Donegal, Mayo and Roscommon in Ireland. He learned a small amount of the Irish language while spending his summers in Ireland as a child.[10][11]

Career

[edit]

Dempsey received a commission as an Armor officer upon graduation from the United States Military Academy in 1974. As a company-grade officer, he served in 1st Squadron, 2d Armored Cavalry Regiment as the officer in charge for personnel. He went on to be the executive officer of the 3rd Brigade 3rd Armored Division during Operation Desert Shield/Storm. As a captain, Dempsey was the commanding officer of Alpha Troop, 1/10 Armored Cavalry at Ft. Carson, CO. As a lieutenant colonel he commanded the 4th Battalion of the 67th Armored Regiment "Bandits" from 1992 to 1995 in the 1st Armored Division in Friedberg, Hesse, Germany.[12]

In 1996 he took command of the 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment. Following that assignment as the Army's “senior scout,” he served as an Assistant Deputy Director for Strategic Plans and Policy (J-5) on the Joint Staff, and as Special Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Henry H. Shelton, USA. During this period of his career, he attended both the Army Command and General Staff College and the National War College, earning master's degrees in military art and national strategic studies.[13]

Promoted to brigadier general in August 2001, Dempsey first served in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia training and advising the Saudi Arabian National Guard.[13]

Brigadier General Dempsey, commander, 1st Armored Division, gives a few remarks to the Iraqis who served during previous wars in Iraq at a recognition ceremony held in the Convention Center in Baghdad, Iraq, during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004.

In June 2003, then Major General Dempsey assumed command of the 1st Armored Division. He succeeded Ricardo S. Sanchez who was promoted to lieutenant general, as commander of V Corps. Dempsey's command of the 1st Armored Division lasted until July 2005 and included 13 months in Iraq, from June 2003 to July 2004. While in Iraq, 1st Armored Division, in addition to its own brigades, had operational command over the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment and a brigade of the 82nd Airborne Division; the command, called "Task Force Iron" in recognition of the Division's nickname, "Old Ironsides", was the largest division-level command in the history of the United States Army.[14]

Dempsey talks with U.S. Marine Corps drill instructors in March 2013.

It was during this time that the U.S. intervention in Iraq changed dramatically as Fallujah fell to Sunni extremists and supporters of Muqtada al-Sadr built their strength and rose against American forces. Then Major General Dempsey and his command assumed responsibility for the area of operations in Baghdad as the insurgency incubated, grew, and exploded. General Dempsey has been described by Thomas Ricks in his book "Fiasco": "In the capital itself, the 1st Armored Division, after Sanchez assumed control of V Corps, was led by Maj. Gen. Martin Dempsey, was generally seen as handling a difficult (and inherited) job well, under the global spotlight of Baghdad."

On March 27, 2007, Lieutenant General Dempsey was transferred from commander of Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq, and reassigned as deputy commander of U.S. Central Command at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida.

On February 5, 2008, Dempsey was nominated to head the U.S. Army, Europe/Seventh Army, and was nominated for promotion to four-star general upon Senate approval.

On March 11, 2008, Dempsey's commander, Admiral William J. Fallon, resigned from his post as commander of Central Command. U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates accepted this as effective on March 31. Dempsey temporarily took over as acting commander.

On March 13, 2008, Dempsey was confirmed by the United States Senate as Commander, U.S. Army, Europe/Seventh Army.[15] However, due, to Admiral Fallon's unexpected retirement, Dempsey never took command of U.S. Army, Europe/Seventh Army.

On July 11, 2008, Dempsey was nominated to take command of U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command while Lieutenant General Carter F. Ham replaced his nomination to command the U.S. Army, Europe/Seventh Army.[16]

Retiring Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen, right, administers the oath of office to his successor, General Dempsey, left, during the change of office and swearing-in ceremony at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall in Arlington, Virginia, September 30, 2011.

On December 8, 2008, Dempsey assumed command of United States Army Training and Doctrine Command.[17]

On January 6, 2011, Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced that he would recommend that the President nominate General Dempsey to succeed General George Casey as the Army Chief of Staff.[18] On February 8, 2011, Gates announced that President Barack Obama nominated Dempsey to be the 37th Chief of Staff of the United States Army.[19] On March 3, 2011, Dempsey testified before the United States Senate Committee on Armed Services,[20] and on March 15, 2011, the committee affirmatively reported Dempsey's nomination.[21] On March 16, 2011, the Senate confirmed Dempsey's nomination by unanimous consent.[22] On April 11, 2011, Dempsey was sworn in as Chief of Staff of the United States Army at a ceremony at Fort Myer.

With Admiral Michael Mullen set to retire as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in September 2011, U.S. President Obama needed to select his replacement. The vice-chairman, Marine General James Cartwright, who was initially believed to be the front runner for the job, had fallen out of favor among senior officials in the Defense Department. Obama administration officials revealed on May 26, 2011, that the President would nominate Dempsey to the post of chairman.[23] In August 2011, General Dempsey was confirmed by unanimous consent to succeed Admiral Mike Mullen as the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He was sworn in as 18th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on October 1, 2011. On June 26, 2013, President Barack Obama re-nominated General Dempsey to serve a second two-year term as chairman.[24] Dempsey stepped down on September 25, 2015, and was replaced by General Joseph Dunford, USMC.

Dempsey was appointed as the chairman of USA Basketball in 2016. After eight years in the position, he was re-elected as chair in October 2024 through to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.[25]

On October 18, 2020, Dempsey was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame, in the Public Service category.[26]

Personal life

[edit]

Dempsey is married to his high school sweetheart, Deanie.[27] They have three children: Chris, Megan, and Caitlin. Each has served in the United States Army and is married with three children. Chris remains on active duty as a cavalry colonel. Martin and Deanie have nine grandchildren.[28]

Education

[edit]

Dates of rank

[edit]
Martin Dempsey's wife Deanie, right, and son, Captain Chris Dempsey, add the new four-star rank insignia to his uniform during his promotion ceremony on Fort Monroe, Virginia, December 8, 2008.
Rank Date
Second lieutenant June 5, 1974
First lieutenant June 5, 1976
Captain August 8, 1978
Major September 1, 1985
Lieutenant colonel April 1, 1991
Colonel September 1, 1996
Brigadier general August 1, 2001
Major general September 1, 2004
Lieutenant general September 8, 2005
General December 8, 2008

Awards and decorations

[edit]

On December 7, 2011, Dempsey received the USO's Distinguished Service Award on behalf of all military members.[29] In October 2016, he was made an honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II, for commitment to British-American defense cooperation.[30] Also, the Association of the United States Army, on October 17, 2019 awarded Dempsey the George Catlett Marshall Medal for distinguished public service, that organization's highest award.[31]

Medals and ribbons

[edit]
U.S. military decorations
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Defense Distinguished Service Medal (with two bronze oak leaf clusters)
Silver oak leaf cluster
 Army Distinguished Service Medal (with one silver oak leaf cluster)
Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal
Defense Superior Service Medal
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Legion of Merit (with two bronze oak leaf clusters)
Bronze Star (with Valor device and bronze oak leaf cluster)
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Meritorious Service Medal (with two bronze oak leaf clusters)
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Army Commendation Medal
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Army Achievement Medal (with bronze oak leaf cluster)
U.S. unit awards
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Joint Meritorious Unit Award (with three bronze oak leaf clusters)
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Valorous Unit Award (with bronze oak leaf cluster)
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Army Superior Unit Award (with bronze oak leaf cluster)
U.S. service (and campaign) medals and service and training ribbons
Bronze star
Bronze star
 National Defense Service Medal (with two bronze service stars)
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
 Southwest Asia Service Medal (with three bronze service stars)
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
 Iraq Campaign Medal (with three bronze service stars)
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Army Service Ribbon
Army Overseas Service Ribbon (with award numeral "4")
Foreign awards
NATO Medal for the former Yugoslavia
Croatian Order of Duke Trpimir[32]
Commander of the French Légion d'honneur[33]
Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany Knight Commander's Cross[34]
Israeli Defense Forces' Chief of Staff Medal of Appreciation[35]
Order of National Security Merit, Tong-il Medal (Republic of Korea)
Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Crown of Thailand (Thailand)
Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) (Military Division)[36]
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)
Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun （Japan）[37]
Other accoutrements
Combat Action Badge
Basic Parachutist Badge
Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge
Army Staff Identification Badge
1st Armored Division Combat Service Identification Badge
3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia
7 Overseas Service Bars

Bibliography

[edit]
Dempsey and Lt. General Benny Gantz, Chief of General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces visiting the Yad VaShem Holocaust Memorial Museum in Jerusalem, Israel, where Dempsey paid respect to the memory of Holocaust victims on January 20, 2012.[38][39]
  1. Win, Learn, Focus, Adapt, Win Again – Article series for Army Magazine (AUSA). October 2010 – February 2011
  2. Inspired and humbled by the sacrifice of our troops – The Hill, May 24, 2011
  3. From the Chairman – Joint Force Quarterly no. 64. January 2012
  4. From the Chairman – Joint Force Quarterly no. 65. April 2012
  5. Preserving the bonds of trust – The Hill, May 22, 2012
  6. From the Chairman – Joint Force Quarterly no. 66. July 2012
  7. From the Chairman: Building Tomorrow's Leaders – Joint Force Quarterly no. 67. October 2012
  8. From the Chairman: Sustaining our Edge – Joint Force Quarterly no. 68. January 2013
  9. From the Chairman: Risky Business – Joint Force Quarterly no. 69. April 2013
  10. Remember and uphold tradition – The Hill, May 21, 2013
  11. From the Chairman: Why We Serve – Joint Force Quarterly no. 70. July 2013
  12. From the Chairman: Leadership in Historic Times – Joint Force Quarterly no. 71. October 2013
  13. From the Chairman: Mount Up and Move Out – Joint Force Quarterly no. 72. January 2014

Interviews

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  1. Dempsey Muses on Challenges as New Head of Joint Chiefs – Thom Shanker. New York Times. Oct 3, 2011.
  2. The New Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on "Getting to the Truth" – Karl Moore. Forbes Magazine. Oct 20, 2011.
  3. Gen. Martin Dempsey's Interview with Jeremy Paxman – Jeremy Paxman, BBC. Nov 28, 2011.
  4. Transcript: Gen. Martin Dempsey's Interview with Fareed Zakaria – Fareed Zakaria. CNN. Feb 19, 2012.
  5. Video: Gen. Martin Dempsey's Interview with Charlie Rose – Charlie Rose. Mar 16, 2012.
  6. Video: Gen. Martin Dempsey's Interview on Leadership – The Pentagon Channel. October 2012.
  7. Video: Gen. Martin Dempsey at the National Press Club – National Press Club. October 10, 2012.
  8. Transcript: Gen. Martin Dempsey talks to Dan Rather – Dan Rather Reports. AXS.tv. November 13, 2012.
  9. Transcript: Gen. Martin Dempsey talks to Ted Koppel – Rock Center with Brian Williams. NBC. January 24, 2013.
  10. Transcript: Sec. Panetta & Gen. Dempsey's Interview with Candy Crowley – State of the Union. CNN. February 3, 2013.
  11. Transcript: Sec. Panetta & Gen. Dempsey's Interview with Chuck Todd – Meet the Press. NBC. February 3, 2013.
  12. Transcript: Gen. Martin Dempsey talks to Rachel Martin – Weekend Edition. NPR. February 17, 2013.
  13. Transcript: Gen. Martin Dempsey talks to Candy Crowley – State of the Union. CNN. July 7, 2013.
  14. Transcript: Gen. Martin Dempsey talks to Martha Raddatz – This Week. ABC. August 4, 2013.
  15. Transcript: Gen. Martin Dempsey talks to Steve Inskeep - NPR. Morning Edition. June 4, 2020.

Speeches

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  1. Gen. Dempsey Becomes the 18th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff – September 30, 2011
  2. The Atlantic Council of the United States: Security and Partnership in an Age of Austerity – December 9, 2011.
  3. End of Mission Ceremony in Baghdad, Iraq – December 15, 2011.
  4. Duke University's Ambassador S. Davis Phillips Family International Lecture Series: A New Vision for the US Military – January 12, 2012.
  5. West Point Class of 2013 500th Night – January 21, 2012.
  6. Harvard University's John F. Kennedy Jr. Forum: Security Paradox – April 12, 2012.
  7. The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: A Conversation with General Martin Dempsey – May 1, 2012.
  8. Kansas State University's 161st Landon Lecture – October 1, 2012

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "18th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff – General Martin Edward Dempsey". jcs.mil. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
  2. ^ By law, 10 USC 152, Dempsey assumed office on October 1.
  3. ^ "General Dempsey retires, transitions Joint Chiefs of Staff chair". upi.com. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
  4. ^ "Gen. Martin Dempsey Named 2016 Rubenstein Fellow at Duke". October 2015.
  5. ^ "Board". www.usab.com. Archived from the original on August 7, 2019. Retrieved August 7, 2019.
  6. ^ "Bayonne's Gen. Dempsey named one of world's most influential: Time Magazine", The Jersey Journal, April 17, 2015, updated January 17, 2019. Accessed February 1, 2022. "Army General Martin E. Dempsey, who was born in Jersey City and grew up in Bayonne, made Time magazine's annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world, a group that includes Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, Pope Francis and celebrity Kim Kardashian."
  7. ^ Sestanovich, Stephen (May 6, 2015). "Barack 'O'Bama' and His Irish-American Advisers". wsj.com. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
  8. ^ "US President's chief military adviser gives exclusive interview". rte.ie. August 31, 2012. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
  9. ^ "Irish American General Martin Demspey to become new head of Joint Chiefs of Staff". irishcentral.com. May 28, 2011. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
  10. ^ "Ireland of Welcomes Talks to General Dempsey". Archived from the original on September 28, 2013. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
  11. ^ "Donegal Man Is Appointed Chief Of The American Army". Donegal Daily. March 26, 2011. Retrieved October 30, 2012.
  12. ^ Baron, Kevin, "Gen. Martin Dempsey: The Quiet American", National Journal, February 11, 2012.
  13. ^ a b "Joint Chiefs of Staff > About > The Joint Staff > Chairman > General Martin Edward Dempsey". www.jcs.mil. Retrieved December 8, 2018. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  14. ^ "Iron Soldiers: Mission complete" (PDF). 1st Armored Division Public Affairs. Retrieved September 23, 2011.
  15. ^ "U.S. Senate: Legislation & Records Home > Nominations Confirmed (Non-Civilian)". Senate.gov. Retrieved October 30, 2012.
  16. ^ "General Officer Announcements". Defense.gov. July 11, 2008. Retrieved March 23, 2014.
  17. ^ Tice, Jim (December 8, 2008). "Dempsey takes command of TRADOC". Army Times. Retrieved December 9, 2008.
  18. ^ Bacon, Lance (January 6, 2011). "TRADOC head is pick to become chief of staff". Army Times. Retrieved January 6, 2011.
  19. ^ "General Officer Announcements". Department of Defense. Retrieved February 8, 2011.
  20. ^ "Hearing Schedule". U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee. Archived from the original on March 3, 2011. Retrieved March 3, 2011.
  21. ^ Brannen, Kate (March 15, 2011). "Sen. committee confirms Dempsey as Army chief". Army Times. Retrieved February 1, 2013.
  22. ^ "Congress.gov – Library of Congress". thomas.loc.gov. Archived from the original on July 4, 2016. Retrieved January 11, 2018.
  23. ^ Starr, Barbara (May 26, 2011). "Obama to choose Army head as next Joint Chiefs chairman, officials say". CNN. Retrieved May 26, 2011.
  24. ^ White House Press Secretary (June 26, 2013). "Statement by the President on Intention to Renominate General Marty Dempsey as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Admiral Sandy Winnefeld as the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff". whitehouse.gov – via National Archives.
  25. ^ "Dempsey returning as USA Basketball chairperson". ESPN.com. October 23, 2024. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
  26. ^ "2020 NJ Hall of Fame". www.nj.com. October 18, 2020. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  27. ^ "Official Biography of 18th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin E. Dempsey" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on October 28, 2012.
  28. ^ "General Martin E. Dempsey Chairman". US DOD Joint Chiefs of Staff. April 2015. Archived from the original on July 16, 2015. Retrieved July 30, 2015.
  29. ^ Miles, Donna (December 8, 2011). "Dempsey Accepts USO Award on Behalf of Military Members". Armed Forces Press Service. Retrieved January 3, 2017.
  30. ^ "Irish speaking, all-singing US Army general Martin Dempsey made honorary knight in Britain – Irish Post". Irish Post. October 18, 2016. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
  31. ^ "FORMER JCS CHAIRMAN DEMPSEY RECEIVES MARSHALL MEDAL". October 7, 2019. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  32. ^ "US Army's Most Powerful Man Receives Order of Duke in Croatia". Croatia Week. September 22, 2014. Retrieved January 11, 2018.
  33. ^ "Dempsey receives Legion of Honor, Commander's degree, in 2014".
  34. ^ "Dempsey receives Federal German Award, KCC of the Order of Merit".
  35. ^ "DEMPSEY MEETS WITH ISRAELI LEADERS, RECEIVES AWARD". Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  36. ^ "Retired Gen. Martin Dempsey, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is knighted". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 21, 2016.
  37. ^ "外国人叙勲受章者名簿 平成27年". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  38. ^ News, Idaho Falls. "Idaho Falls Spokesperson – About Page". idfspokesperson.com. Retrieved January 4, 2017. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  39. ^ "US CJCS Gen. Martin Dempsey Visits Yad VaShem". flickr.com. January 20, 2012. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Martin E. Dempsey.
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Military offices
Preceded by Commanding General of the 1st Armored Division
2003-2004 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Commander of the Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq
2005-2007 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Deputy Commander of United States Central Command
2007-2008 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Commander of United States Central Command
Acting
2008 		Succeeded by
David Petraeus
Preceded by Commanding General of the Army Training and Doctrine Command
2008–2011 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Chief of Staff of the Army
2011 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
2011–2015 		Succeeded by
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded byas former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (2007–2011) Order of precedence of the United States
as former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (2011–2015) 		Succeeded byas former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (2015–2019)
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Martin_Dempsey&oldid=1253130747"