Ronald Houston Griffith (born March 16, 1936) is a retired United States Army

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 Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army

Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army

The Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army is the principal advisor and assistant to the Army Chief of Staff, the second-highest ranking officer in the US Army. He handles the day to day administration of the Army bureaucracy, freeing the Chief of Staff to attend to the interservice...

 (VCSA) from 1995 to 1997.

Military career

Griffith comes from North Georgia, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Army after graduating from the University of Georgia

University of Georgia

The University of Georgia is a public research university located in Athens, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1785, it is the oldest and largest of the state's institutions of higher learning and is one of multiple schools to claim the title of the oldest public university in the United States...

 with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1960.

Griffith is a Vietnam War veteran, having served as an infantry unit advisor with the Army of the Republic of Vietnam

Army of the Republic of Vietnam

The Army of the Republic of Viet Nam , sometimes parsimoniously referred to as the South Vietnamese Army , was the land-based military forces of the Republic of Vietnam , which existed from October 26, 1955 until the fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975...

 from 1964 to 1965 and later as Executive Officer of the 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division from 1969 to 1970.

Griffith's commands include 1st Battalion, 32nd Armor in Germany, 1st Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, and 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...

 which he led in the Gulf War

Gulf War

The Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...

. His staff positions at the Department of the Army level include Executive Officer to the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army for Operations and Plans; Chief of the War Plans Division; Deputy Director of Operations, and the Army Inspector General. He also served as the Chief of Staff, and later as the Assistant Division commander of the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas. Griffith retired from the Army on November 1, 1997.

Griffith's awards and decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal

Defense 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...

 the Army Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, the 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...

 with 2 oak leaf clusters, the 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 “V” device and 5 oak leaf clusters, the Purple Heart

Purple Heart

The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...

, the Combat Infantryman Badge

Combat Infantryman Badge

The Combat Infantryman Badge is the U.S. Army combat service recognition decoration awarded to soldiers—enlisted men and officers holding colonel rank or below, who personally fought in active ground combat while an assigned member of either an infantry or a Special Forces unit, of brigade size...

, the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification 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...

. He holds a master’s degree in public administration from Shippensburg University. His military education includes the Armor Officer Advanced Course, the 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 Army War College.

Post military

After retiring from the military, Griffith became Executive Vice President of Military Professional Resources and Executive Vice President of the L-3 Communications

L-3 Communications

L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc. is a company that supplies command and control, communications, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems and products, avionics, ocean products, training devices and services, instrumentation, space, and navigation products. Its customers include...

 Government Services Group. He also sits on the board of directors of The Allied Defense Group and Geonex-Martel Incorporated and on the Board of Visitors of the Virginia Military Institute

Virginia Military Institute

The Virginia Military Institute , located in Lexington, Virginia, is the oldest state-supported military college and one of six senior military colleges in the United States. Unlike any other military college in the United States—and in keeping with its founding principles—all VMI students are...

. Griffith's wife, Dr. Hurdis M. Griffith, is Dean Emeritus of the College of Nursing at Rutgers University

Rutgers University

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey , is the largest institution for higher education in New Jersey, United States. It was originally chartered as Queen's College in 1766. It is the eighth-oldest college in the United States and one of the nine Colonial colleges founded before the American...

, and they have two adult daughters and five grandchildren. His grandchildren are Allie, Jessie, Megan, David, and most importantly Michael Henry Thompson Jr..