Stephen J. Townsend
Stephen J. Townsend | |
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Global War on Terrorism
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| Awards | Defense Distinguished Service Medal w/ "C" device Army Distinguished Service Medal (3) Defense Superior Service Medal (2) Legion of Merit (2) Bronze Star Medal (5) w/ "V" device Defense Meritorious Service Medal Meritorious Service Medal (6) |
Stephen J. Townsend (born 1959) four-star general who served as Commander United States Africa Command from 26 July 2019 to 8 August 2022. He previously commanded the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command from March 2018 until June 2019 and XVIII Airborne Corps from May 2015 until January 2018.[2]
Townsend has served with the
Early life and education
Townsend was born in Scheinfeld, Bavaria, West Germany, in 1959 to a German art student mother and a Pashtun Afghan medical student father, the result of a love affair.[1] He was adopted soon after birth by an American military family in Germany. His adoptive father, James Townsend, was a staff sergeant in an armored unit.[4] Townsend grew up in Griffin, Georgia, graduating from Griffin High School in 1978. Townsend graduated from North Georgia College in 1982 with a bachelor's degree in psychology.[5] He was commissioned into the Infantry from the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps thereafter.[4] Townsend also earned a Master of Military Arts and Sciences (MMAS) degree at the United States Army Command and General Staff College, and a Master of Strategic Studies (MSS) degree at the Army War College.[6]
Military career
After receiving his commission as a
Townsend graduated from the
Townsend was appointed commander of the 3d Brigade Combat Team, 2d Infantry Division
On 4 May 2015, Townsend became commander of the
Under Townsend, the CJTF-OIR coalition together with allies from the
On 26 March 2017, United States forces allegedly bombed the
On 27 November 2017, Townsend was nominated for appointment as the next commanding general of United States Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) and promotion to general.[16][17] The nomination was confirmed by the United States Senate on 20 December.[18] Townsend took command of TRADOC on 2 March 2018.
Townsend became the fifth commander of the United States Africa Command on 26 July 2019. He leads a command responsible for building defense capabilities, responding to crises, deterring and defeating transnational threats in order to advance United States national interests and promote regional security, stability, and prosperity, all in concert with interagency and international partners. Africa Command is one of seven United States Department of Defense geographic combatant commands. In September 2022, upon his retirement, GEN Townsend was succeeded at AFRICOM by General Michael Langley of the United States Marine Corps.[citation needed]
Awards and decorations
Townsend is the recipient of the following awards:[8]
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Combat Infantryman Badge with star (denoting 2nd award) |
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Expert Infantryman Badge |
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Combat Action Badge |
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Master Parachutist Badge |
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Ranger tab |
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Air Assault Badge |
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Spanish Parachutist Badge |
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German Parachutist badge in bronze |
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United States Africa Command Badge |
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Shoulder sleeve insignia
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Distinctive Unit Insignia
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10 Overseas Service Bars |
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References
- ^ a b "Battle Brings Soldier Closer to His Ethnic Roots". Washington Post. Thomas E. Ricks. 18 March 2002. Retrieved 5 April 2017.
- ^ a b "New Operation Inherent Resolve commander continues fight against ISIL". United States Army. 22 August 2016. Retrieved 8 September 2016.
- ^ a b "Lineage and Honors Information - U.S. Army Center of Military History". History.army.mil. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
- ^ a b Kim, Kap (26 March 2015). "Departing commander reflects on three tours at his 'favorite' installation". DVIDS. Retrieved 8 September 2016.
- ^ Rogers, Eddie (3 August 2016). "UNG alumnus Gen. Townsend to lead fight against ISIL". University of North Georgia. Archived from the original on 11 September 2016. Retrieved 8 September 2016.
- ^ Stephen J. Townsend. Association of the United States Army.
- ^ a b U.S. Army Center of Military History (CMH). "3d Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment | Lineage and Honors | U.S. Army Center of Military History (CMH)". History.army.mil. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
- ^ a b c d "Lieutenant General Stephen J. Townsend". United States Army Fort Bragg. Archived from the original on 23 August 2017. Retrieved 8 September 2016.
- ^ Block, Gordon (7 September 2014). "Q&A: Maj. Gen. Stephen J. Townsend, commander of Fort Drum". Watertown Daily Times. Archived from the original on 23 August 2017. Retrieved 8 September 2016.
- ^ Partlow, Joshua (26 June 2007). "Troops Take Embattled Baqubah Bit by Bit, U.S. Commander Says". Washington Post. Retrieved 8 September 2016.
- ^ Block, Gordon (4 December 2012). "Fort Drum welcomes new 10th Mountain Division commander at ceremony". Watertown Daily Times. Archived from the original on 14 September 2018. Retrieved 8 September 2016.
- ^ Tan, Michelle (4 May 2015). "XVIII Airborne Corps welcomes new commander". Army Times. Retrieved 8 September 2016.
- ^ "Once promised paradise, ISIS fighters end up in mass graves". The Straits Times. 15 October 2017. Retrieved 11 December 2017.
- ^ Ahmed Aboulenein (10 December 2017). "Iraq holds victory parade after defeating Islamic State". Reuters. Retrieved 11 December 2017.
- ^ Dave, Philipps (20 January 2022). "A Dam in Syria Was on a 'No- Strike' List. The U.S. Bombed It Anyway". The New York Times. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
- ^ Townsend expected to be new US Army TRADOC commander
- ^ "PN1264 — Lt. Gen. Stephen J. Townsend — Army". U.S. Congress. 27 November 2017. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
- ^ "PN1264 — Lt. Gen. Stephen J. Townsend — Army". U.S. Congress. 20 December 2017. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
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