Johnnie E. Wilson
Encyclopedia
General Johnnie Edward Wilson (born February 4, 1944) is a retired United States Army
four-star general who served as Commanding General, United States Army Materiel Command
(CG AMC) from 1996 to 1999.
. He was raised in Lorain, Ohio
and entered the Army in August 1961 as an enlisted soldier, attaining the rank of staff sergeant before attending Officer Candidate School
(OCS). On completion of OCS in 1967, he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Ordnance Corps. He was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Nebraska at Omaha
. He also holds a Master of Science degree in Logistics Management from the Florida Institute of Technology
. His military education includes completion of the Ordnance Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the Army Command and General Staff College
, and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces
.
General Wilson has held a wide variety of important command and staff positions culminating in his current assignment as the Commanding General, U.S. Army Materiel Command. Other key assignments include: Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, Department of the Army, Pentagon; Chief of Staff, U.S. Army Materiel Command; Commanding General, Ordnance Center and School, Aberdeen Proving Ground
, Maryland; Deputy Commanding General, 21st Area Theater Command, U.S. Army Europe and 7th Army; Commander, 13th Support Command, Fort Hood, Texas; and Commander, Division Support Command, 1st Armored Division
, U.S. Army Europe.
General Wilson has served at every level of command. He commanded three times at the company level; a maintenance company in the 82nd Airborne Division as a First Lieutenant, followed by command of a supply and services company in Vietnam with the 173rd Airborne Brigade, and B Company 123rd Maintenance Battalion with the 1st Armored Division in Europe. At the Lieutenant Colonel level, General Wilson commanded the 709th Maintenance Battalion, 9th Infantry Division, Fort Lewis
, which converted and became the Army’s first Main Support Battalion. General Wilson commanded twice at the Colonel level, serving as the DISCOM Commander of the 1st Armored Division followed by command of the 13th Support Command at Fort Hood, Texas.
General Wilson next served as the Deputy Commanding General, 21st TAACOM, the Army’s largest and most diverse logistics unit. Based on his wide experience with leading soldiers, General Wilson was selected to command the Ordnance Center and School responsible for the training and professional development of thousands of soldiers, NCOs and officers every year. Following this successful assignment, General Wilson served as the Chief of Staff, AMC, where he was responsible for resource and personnel management for a workforce with over 80,000 military and civilian members. From 1994 to 1996 served as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, Department of the Army, where he was responsible for worldwide logistics.
(with Oak Leaf Cluster), Bronze Star
(with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters), Meritorious Service Medal (with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Special Forces Tab
, Master Parachutist Badge and the Army Staff Identification Badge
. General Wilson retired from the U.S. Army on 26 April 1999.
, and serves on the Army Scholarship Foundation as a member of the Foundation's Honorary Advisory Committee.
Wilson is married to the former Helen McGhee of Elyria, Ohio
. They have three children and seven grandchildren.
Wilson is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha
fraternity.
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
four-star general who served as Commanding General, United States Army Materiel Command
United States Army Materiel Command
The U.S. Army Materiel Command is the primary provider of materiel to the United States Army.The Command's mission includes the research & development of weapons systems as well as maintenance and parts distribution....
(CG AMC) from 1996 to 1999.
Military career
Wilson was born on February 4, 1944 in Baton Rouge, LouisianaBaton Rouge, Louisiana
Baton Rouge is the capital of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is located in East Baton Rouge Parish and is the second-largest city in the state.Baton Rouge is a major industrial, petrochemical, medical, and research center of the American South...
. He was raised in Lorain, Ohio
Lorain, Ohio
Lorain is a city in Lorain County, Ohio, United States. The municipality is located in northeastern Ohio on Lake Erie, at the mouth of the Black River, about 30 miles west of Cleveland....
and entered the Army in August 1961 as an enlisted soldier, attaining the rank of staff sergeant before attending Officer Candidate School
Officer Candidate School (U.S. Army)
The United States Army's Officer Candidate School , located at Fort Benning, Georgia, provides training to become a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army...
(OCS). On completion of OCS in 1967, he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Ordnance Corps. He was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Nebraska at Omaha
University of Nebraska at Omaha
The University of Nebraska at Omaha is a four-year state university located in Omaha, Nebraska, USA. Founded in 1908 as Omaha University, the institution became the public Municipal University of Omaha in 1931. It assumed its current name in 1968 following a merger into the University...
. He also holds a Master of Science degree in Logistics Management from the Florida Institute of Technology
Florida Institute of Technology
Florida Institute of Technology, also known as Florida Tech, is an independent private technical research university located in Melbourne, Florida, United States. Founded in 1958 as Brevard Engineering College, the institute has been known by its present name since 1966. Florida Tech's curriculum...
. His military education includes completion of the Ordnance Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the Army Command and General Staff College
Command and General Staff College
The United States Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas is a graduate school for United States Army and sister service officers, interagency representatives, and international military officers. The college was established in 1881 by William Tecumseh Sherman as a...
, and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces
Industrial College of the Armed Forces
The Industrial College of the Armed Forces is a U.S. military educational institution tasked with preparing military officers and civilian government officials for leadership and executive positions in the field of national security...
.
General Wilson has held a wide variety of important command and staff positions culminating in his current assignment as the Commanding General, U.S. Army Materiel Command. Other key assignments include: Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, Department of the Army, Pentagon; Chief of Staff, U.S. Army Materiel Command; Commanding General, Ordnance Center and School, Aberdeen Proving Ground
Aberdeen Proving Ground
Aberdeen Proving Ground is a United States Army facility located near Aberdeen, Maryland, . Part of the facility is a census-designated place , which had a population of 3,116 at the 2000 census.- History :...
, Maryland; Deputy Commanding General, 21st Area Theater Command, U.S. Army Europe and 7th Army; Commander, 13th Support Command, Fort Hood, Texas; and Commander, Division Support Command, 1st Armored Division
1st Armored Division (United States)
The 1st Armored Division—nicknamed "Old Ironsides"—is a standing armored division of the United States Army with base of operations in Fort Bliss, Texas. It was the first armored division of the U.S...
, U.S. Army Europe.
General Wilson has served at every level of command. He commanded three times at the company level; a maintenance company in the 82nd Airborne Division as a First Lieutenant, followed by command of a supply and services company in Vietnam with the 173rd Airborne Brigade, and B Company 123rd Maintenance Battalion with the 1st Armored Division in Europe. At the Lieutenant Colonel level, General Wilson commanded the 709th Maintenance Battalion, 9th Infantry Division, Fort Lewis
Fort Lewis
Joint Base Lewis-McChord is a United States military facility located south-southwest of Tacoma, Washington. The facility is under the jurisdiction of the United States Army Joint Base Garrison, Joint Base Lewis-McChord....
, which converted and became the Army’s first Main Support Battalion. General Wilson commanded twice at the Colonel level, serving as the DISCOM Commander of the 1st Armored Division followed by command of the 13th Support Command at Fort Hood, Texas.
General Wilson next served as the Deputy Commanding General, 21st TAACOM, the Army’s largest and most diverse logistics unit. Based on his wide experience with leading soldiers, General Wilson was selected to command the Ordnance Center and School responsible for the training and professional development of thousands of soldiers, NCOs and officers every year. Following this successful assignment, General Wilson served as the Chief of Staff, AMC, where he was responsible for resource and personnel management for a workforce with over 80,000 military and civilian members. From 1994 to 1996 served as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, Department of the Army, where he was responsible for worldwide logistics.
Decorations
General Wilson’s awards and decorations include the Army Distinguished Service Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), Legion of MeritLegion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
(with Oak Leaf Cluster), Bronze Star
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
(with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters), Meritorious Service Medal (with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Special Forces Tab
Special Forces Tab
The Special Forces Tab is a service school qualification tab of the United States Army, awarded to any soldier completing either the Special Forces Qualification Course, or the Special Forces Detachment Officer Qualification Course , at the U.S. Army John F...
, Master Parachutist Badge and the Army Staff Identification Badge
Army Staff Identification Badge
The Army Staff Identification Badge is a badge of the United States Army worn by personnel who serve at the Office of the Secretary of the Army and the Army Staff at Headquarters, Department of the Army and its agencies. Neither an award nor a decoration, the badge is a distinguishing emblem of...
. General Wilson retired from the U.S. Army on 26 April 1999.
Army Distinguished Service MedalDistinguished Service Medal (Army)The Distinguished Service Medal is a military award of the United States Army that is presented to any person who, while serving in any capacity with the United States military, has distinguished himself or herself by exceptionally meritorious service to the Government in a duty of great...
with oak leaf cluster
Legion of MeritLegion of MeritThe Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
with oak leaf cluster
Bronze StarBronze Star MedalThe Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
with two oak leaf clusters
Meritorious Service MedalMeritorious Service Medal (United States)The Meritorious Service Medal is a military decoration presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969...
with two oak leaf clusters
Army Commendation Medal
Army Good Conduct MedalGood Conduct MedalThe Good Conduct Medal is one of the oldest military awards of the United States military. The Navy Good Conduct Medal was first issued in 1869, followed by a Marine version in 1896. The Coast Guard Good Conduct Medal was issued in 1923 and the Army Good Conduct Medal in 1941. The Air Force was...
Post military career
After retirement, Wilson became President and Chief Operating Officer of Dimensions International, Inc. He has also served on the board of the Truman Library Institute, after being nominated by Colin PowellColin Powell
Colin Luther Powell is an American statesman and a retired four-star general in the United States Army. He was the 65th United States Secretary of State, serving under President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2005. He was the first African American to serve in that position. During his military...
, and serves on the Army Scholarship Foundation as a member of the Foundation's Honorary Advisory Committee.
Wilson is married to the former Helen McGhee of Elyria, Ohio
Elyria, Ohio
-Community:Elyria has an extensive, although financially burdened, community food pantry and "Hot Meals" program administered through the Second Harvest Food Bank and several churches Elyria is served by Elyria Memorial Hospital.-Recreation and parks:...
. They have three children and seven grandchildren.
Wilson is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha
Alpha Phi Alpha
Alpha Phi Alpha is the first Inter-Collegiate Black Greek Letter fraternity. It was founded on December 4, 1906 at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. Its founders are known as the "Seven Jewels". Alpha Phi Alpha developed a model that was used by the many Black Greek Letter Organizations ...
fraternity.