Larry J. Dodgen
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant General
Larry J. Dodgen (June 12, 1949 – February 20, 2010) was Commander, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command.
, on June 12, 1949, died February, 20, 2010, General Dodgen graduated from Louisiana State University
in 1972 with a Bachelors Degree in Chemical Engineering. He also holds two Master Degrees: an MBA in Public Administration from the University of Missouri
and a Masters Degree in National Security and Strategy from the United States Naval War College
. His military education includes the Air Defense Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the United States Army Command and General Staff College
, and the United States Naval War College.
Dodgen began his military career as Section Leader and later Platoon Leader in the 1st Battalion, 68th Air Defense Artillery, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas. In 1975, he was assigned as a Firing Platoon Leader, 2d Battalion, 71st Air Defense Artillery, Eighth United States Army in Korea. While stationed in Korea, he became the Aide-de-Camp to the Commanding General, 38th Air Defense Artillery, Eighth United States Army. After returning to the United States in 1976, he served as Aide-de-Camp to the Assistant Commandant, United States Army Air Defense Artillery School, Fort Bliss, Texas. In 1977, he graduated from the Air Defense Artillery Officer Advanced Course at the United States Army Air Defense School in Fort Bliss
, Texas. From 1977 to 1979, he commanded Battery C, 1st Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery, Fort Bliss, Texas. In 1981 and 1982, General Dodgen commanded Battery A, and served as the Assistant S-3 (Operations), 3d Battalion, 61st Air Defense Artillery, 3d Armored Division in Germany. In 1983, he graduated from the United States Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth
, Kansas. In 1984, he was assigned to the United States Army Chemical School, Fort McClellan
, Alabama, as an NBC Analyst and later became Chief of the Studies Branch. In 1987, he became the Executive Officer, 6th Battalion, 43d Air Defense Artillery, in Germany. And from June 1989 to December 1991, he commanded 8th Battalion, 43d Air Defense Artillery, and led his battalion into combat in Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Storm. In 1993, he graduated from the United States Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island
, and returned to Germany, where he became the Commander, 69th Air Defense Artillery Brigade. While stationed in Germany, he also became the Chief of the CINC's Initiatives Group, Office of the Command-in-Chief, United States Army Europe
. After assuming the rank of Brigadier General in 1996, he became the sixth Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Policy and Missions. From May 1998 to September 2001, he was the Deputy Director, Joint Theater Air and Missile Defense Organization (JTAMDO). He served as the Commanding General of the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command from 10 September 2001 to 16 December 2003
He assumed Command of the U.S. Army Space and Strategic Command on 16 December 2003 and was promoted to Lieutenant General.
with Oak Leaf Cluster, Legion of Merit
(two Oak Leaf Clusters), Meritorious Service Medal (4 Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Commendation Medal, and the Army Achievement Medal.
Lieutenant General
Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of Lieutenant General was held by the second in command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a Captain General....
Larry J. Dodgen (June 12, 1949 – February 20, 2010) was Commander, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command.
Biography
Born in New Orleans, LouisianaNew Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
, on June 12, 1949, died February, 20, 2010, General Dodgen graduated from Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, most often referred to as Louisiana State University, or LSU, is a public coeducational university located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The University was founded in 1853 in what is now known as Pineville, Louisiana, under the name...
in 1972 with a Bachelors Degree in Chemical Engineering. He also holds two Master Degrees: an MBA in Public Administration from the University of Missouri
University of Missouri
The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...
and a Masters Degree in National Security and Strategy from the United States Naval War College
Naval War College
The Naval War College is an education and research institution of the United States Navy that specializes in developing ideas for naval warfare and passing them along to officers of the Navy. The college is located on the grounds of Naval Station Newport in Newport, Rhode Island...
. His military education includes the Air Defense Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the United States 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 United States Naval War College.
Dodgen began his military career as Section Leader and later Platoon Leader in the 1st Battalion, 68th Air Defense Artillery, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas. In 1975, he was assigned as a Firing Platoon Leader, 2d Battalion, 71st Air Defense Artillery, Eighth United States Army in Korea. While stationed in Korea, he became the Aide-de-Camp to the Commanding General, 38th Air Defense Artillery, Eighth United States Army. After returning to the United States in 1976, he served as Aide-de-Camp to the Assistant Commandant, United States Army Air Defense Artillery School, Fort Bliss, Texas. In 1977, he graduated from the Air Defense Artillery Officer Advanced Course at the United States Army Air Defense School in Fort Bliss
Fort Bliss
Fort Bliss is a United States Army post in the U.S. states of New Mexico and Texas. With an area of about , it is the Army's second-largest installation behind the adjacent White Sands Missile Range. It is FORSCOM's largest installation, and has the Army's largest Maneuver Area behind the...
, Texas. From 1977 to 1979, he commanded Battery C, 1st Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery, Fort Bliss, Texas. In 1981 and 1982, General Dodgen commanded Battery A, and served as the Assistant S-3 (Operations), 3d Battalion, 61st Air Defense Artillery, 3d Armored Division in Germany. In 1983, he graduated from the United States Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth
Fort Leavenworth
Fort Leavenworth is a United States Army facility located in Leavenworth County, Kansas, immediately north of the city of Leavenworth in the upper northeast portion of the state. It is the oldest active United States Army post west of Washington, D.C. and has been in operation for over 180 years...
, Kansas. In 1984, he was assigned to the United States Army Chemical School, Fort McClellan
Fort McClellan
Fort McClellan, originally Camp McClellan, was a United States Army post located adjacent to the city of Anniston, Alabama. During World War II, it was one of the largest U.S. Army installations, training an estimated half-million troops...
, Alabama, as an NBC Analyst and later became Chief of the Studies Branch. In 1987, he became the Executive Officer, 6th Battalion, 43d Air Defense Artillery, in Germany. And from June 1989 to December 1991, he commanded 8th Battalion, 43d Air Defense Artillery, and led his battalion into combat in Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Storm. In 1993, he graduated from the United States Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island
Newport, Rhode Island
Newport is a city on Aquidneck Island in Newport County, Rhode Island, United States, about south of Providence. Known as a New England summer resort and for the famous Newport Mansions, it is the home of Salve Regina University and Naval Station Newport which houses the United States Naval War...
, and returned to Germany, where he became the Commander, 69th Air Defense Artillery Brigade. While stationed in Germany, he also became the Chief of the CINC's Initiatives Group, Office of the Command-in-Chief, United States Army Europe
United States Army Europe
United States Army Europe and Seventh Army, is an Army Service Component Command of the United States Army and the land component of United States European Command. It is the largest American formation in Europe.-Invasion of Sicily:...
. After assuming the rank of Brigadier General in 1996, he became the sixth Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Policy and Missions. From May 1998 to September 2001, he was the Deputy Director, Joint Theater Air and Missile Defense Organization (JTAMDO). He served as the Commanding General of the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command from 10 September 2001 to 16 December 2003
He assumed Command of the U.S. Army Space and Strategic Command on 16 December 2003 and was promoted to Lieutenant General.
Awards and decorations
His awards and decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service MedalDefense Distinguished Service Medal
The Defense Distinguished Service Medal is a United States military award which is presented for exceptionally distinguished performance of duty contributing to national security or defense of the United States...
with Oak Leaf Cluster, Legion of Merit
Legion 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...
(two Oak Leaf Clusters), Meritorious Service Medal (4 Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Commendation Medal, and the Army Achievement Medal.
Defense Distinguished Service MedalDefense Distinguished Service MedalThe Defense Distinguished Service Medal is a United States military award which is presented for exceptionally distinguished performance of duty contributing to national security or defense of the United States...
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 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 four oak leaf clusters
Army Commendation Medal
Army Achievement MedalAchievement MedalThe Achievement Medal is a military decoration of the United States military. The Achievement Medal was first proposed as a means to recognize the contributions of junior officers and enlisted personnel who were not eligible to receive the higher Commendation Medal or the Meritorious Service...