Joseph F.
Weber ’72
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Marine Corps Lt. Gen.
College Station, TX
Lt. Gen. Joseph F. Weber graduated from Texas A&M University in 1972 with a bachelor's degree in Zoology.
He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in 1972. He completed a tour on the staff of the United States Naval Academy where he taught leadership and speech, administered and supervised midshipman performance and conduct programs, and served as the Officer Representative to the U.S. Naval Academy football team.
He served as Vice President Student Affairs at Texas A&M and prior to returning to A&M, General Weber’s final active duty Marine Corps assignment was as Commander, Marine Forces Command, Commanding General Fleet Marine Forces Atlantic, Commanding General Marine Bases Atlantic.
His decorations and awards range from the National Defense Service Medal to the Defense Distinguished Service Medal for service in peace and war - numerous community service/civilian awards and presentations.
Lt. Gen. Joseph F. Weber is retired and currently resides in College Station, TX.
Charles K.
Aris ’88
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National Guard Brig. Gen.
Waxahachie, TX
Colonel Charles "Chuck" Aris, the Assistant Division Commander of Support, was promoted to the rank of brigadier general in a ceremony on Sunday, Dec. 4, at Camp Mabry.
Maj. Gen. James K. "Red" Brown, the Deputy Commanding General — Reserve Component, United States Forces, promoted Aris to his one-star rank with his friends, family members and colleagues present.
During the ceremony, Brown, a former commanding general of the 36th Inf. Div., and Aris' wife of 26 years, Amy, pinned the new general's rank to the shoulders of his uniform. His son Matthew and daughter Kate presented him with a one-star general's flag, a traditional general officer's belt, and a desk placard. As per Texas tradition, Aris then gave bouquets of yellow roses to both his wife and his mother, Janice.
"Aris is one of those officers that we always knew was going to rise to the top," said Brown. "He and his family are the ultimate traditional National Guard family. As a civilian, Chuck is a very distinguished and a very successful attorney, who doesn't have to do this; but he chooses to do so as a service to this great state and this great nation."
Because of his dual military and civilian careers, several military dignitaries and civilian colleagues attended the ceremony, including Maj. Gen. John F. Nichols, the Adjutant General of the Texas Military Department, Maj. Gen. Lester Simpson, Commanding General of the 36th Infantry Division Commander, and fellow attorneys from his law firm. Aris, a resident of Waxahachie, Texas, is also a partner with the Dallas-based Byrne, Cardenas and Aris Law Firm, where he handles civil litigation.
"I want to say thank you to every senior leader, every mentor and every person in my life who has supported, trained, and guided me," said Aris. "But I need to say 'thank you' to my family, because without them, their love and their support, I would not be standing where I am today."
Aris will deploy to southern Afghanistan next year as the Commander of the Train, Advise and Assist Command -- South in support of Operation Freedom's Sentinel.
"Its an honor to be selected for this [promotion and deployment]," said Aris. "I pledge to do my very best to make sure that we excel in this mission and continue the great heritage of the Texas Army National Guard."
His most recent assignments include serving as the acting Assistant Division Commander of Maneuver, division Chief of Staff, and Commander of both the 56th and 72nd Infantry Brigade Combat Teams. He served as a task force commander during a 2005 rotation to Kosovo, and deployed to Iraq in 2009 as an assistant chief of staff in operations.
In 1998, he received a Bachelor of Arts degree and commission from the Texas A&M University and was awarded as a Distinguished Military Graduate in the ROTC program. After serving on Active Duty in the Army, in 1993 he joined the Texas Army National Guard. Aris also holds a Master of Science from the Army War College and a Juris Doctorate from South Texas College of Law.
Aris’ awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (with two Oak Leaf Clusters), Kosovo Campaign Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal (with two service stars), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Humanitarian Service Medal.
The mission of the 36th Infantry Division is to provide ready and responsive forces that can deploy to conduct unified land operations in joint and coalition environments, in support of a geographical combatant commander. On order, the division provides defense support to civil authorities within the United States in support of state and federal agencies.
Eddy M.
Spurgin ’79
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National Guard Maj. Gen
Big Spring, TX
General Spurgin began his military service in 1980 after graduation from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science. He is a graduate of the Field Artillery Officers Basic Course, the Field Artillery Cannon Battery Course, the Reserve Component Tank Commander Course, the Infantry Officer Advanced Course, Command and General Staff College and the United States Army War College. General Spurgin has commanded Troop B, 1st Squadron 124th Cavalry Regiment; Company C and Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion 142nd Infantry Regiment; 2nd Battalion 142nd Infantry Regiment; 36th Brigade, 49th Armored Division; 72nd Brigade, 36th Infantry Division; and most recently the 142nd Corps Security Detachment (III Corps ROC).
Ansel M.
Stroud, Jr. ’48
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National Guard Maj. Gen.
Shreveport, LA
Major General (Retired) Ansel M. Stroud, Jr., was born April 5, 1927, in Shreveport, Louisiana. He was a graduate of Belcher High School, attended Baylor University and Texas A&M University. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of the State of New York. His military education included the Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas and The Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
General Stroud enlisted in the Army in April of 1944 and was commissioned a second lieutenant following completion of Officer Candidate School in February 1946. After serving on active duty, he joined the Louisiana National Guard in June of 1947. During his service with the Louisiana National Guard, he served as a Company Commander, Regimental Supply Officer, Aide to the Commanding General of the 39th Infantry Division, and Battalion Commander. In 1968, he was assigned as Chief of Staff for the State Emergency Operations Center, and became Commander of the 356th Support Center (RAO) in 1971. He was appointed to the position of Assistant Adjutant General on May 9, 1972 and in August 1978, was given a dual assignment as Commander of the 256th Infantry Brigade (Mechanized). General Stroud was assigned as Adjutant General in October 1980. Additionally, he was made Director of the Louisiana Office of Emergency Preparedness in 1989. He retired on November 8, 1997, after 53 ½ years of military service.
Noteworthy of his 17 ½-year tenure as Adjutant General, was the performance of the Louisiana National Guard units during Desert Storm, when 6,400 Army Guardsmen from Louisiana were mobilized, more than from any other state. In 1991, the Guard and the Office of Emergency Preparedness received high praise for their performance after Hurricane Andrew.
The Louisiana National Guard under his leadership was a finalist for nine years in the Army Community of Excellence competition.
General Stroud's military decorations and awards included the Distinguished Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Legion of Merit with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Army Commendation Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with three Hourglass Devices, and the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (NG) with two Oak Leaf Clusters. His Louisiana decorations included the Louisiana Distinguished Service Medal with Fleur-de-Lis, the Legion of Merit, the Cross of Merit, the War Cross, the Louisiana Emergency Service Medal with 19 Fleurs-de-Lis, and the Forty-Year Longevity Medal. He received Distinguished Service Awards from the States of Alabama, Arkansas, and Oregon. He was twice awarded the National Guard Bureau Eagle Award and the United States Army Reserve Meritorious Performance Award. In 1997, he was the first recipient of the National Guard Association of the U.S. President's Award.
In 1977, General Stroud was selected to direct a Department of the Army study on full-time training and administration for the Guard and Reserve. This was known as the “Stroud Study" and was accepted by the Department of the Army as a guideline for requirements of the National Guard and Army Reserve for full-time manning programs. This study was the basis for launching the AGR program.
In addition to his duties as the Adjutant General, General Stroud was active in Scouting. He is a recipient of the Silver Beaver Award and the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award.
General Stroud was awarded the Citizen of the Year Award in 1989 by the United States Marshals Service.
In 1995, General Stroud was the recipient of an honorary Doctorate of Humanities degree from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana.
In 2005, General Stroud was one of the first inductees into the Louisiana Justice Hall of Fame.
General Stroud was a past President of the Adjutants General Association of the United States, past President of the National Guard Association of the United States, and served on the Council of Trustees of the Association of the United States Army.
General Stroud passed away on July 1, 2016.
Herbert E.
Brown ’65
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Navy Vice Adm.
Niederwald, TX
Vice Admiral Herbert E. Brown assumed duties as Commander of the Third Fleet in 1996. He enlisted in the Navy in 1964, after attending Texas A&M. He served as Commander Carrier Group ONE and Deputy Commander in Chief to the U.S. Pacific Fleet in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii before his current position.
His awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, and Navy Achievement Medal.
George L.
Cassell ’41
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Navy Rear Adm.
Alexandria, VA
Rear Admiral George L. Cassell, USN (Ret.) made his last takeoff on Thursday, March 19, March 2009. He was married to his wife of 65 years, Ellen Yates Cassell. During WWII, Admiral Cassell flew 43 combat missions from USS Yorktown (CV-10), while attached to Fighting Squadron Three. At the time, he was among the first carrier-based night fighter pilots flying the F6F Hellcat. After WWII, he commanded Attack Squadron 126 (F7U-3 Cutlass), USS Nitro (AE-23) and the USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) - the latter for an 11 month deployment in the waters off Vietnam. He had duty on the staff of Commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, the staff of Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, and the staff of the Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet. In 1968 he was selected for Flag rank and was assigned as the Deputy Commander, Naval Striking and Support Forces, Southern Europe in Napes, Italy. In October 1971, he commanded Antisubmarine Warfare Group TWO on board USS Wasp (CVS-18), and later Antisubmarine Warfare Group FOUR on board the USS Intrepid (CVS-11). He then became Commander Fleet Air Quonset Point and Commander Hunter-Killer Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. His next and final duty was Commandant Eighth Naval District, over specified activities, as well as area coordination over all shore activities within the geographical limits of Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Louisiana. After temporary assignment to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, he retired in September 1977 as the Grey Eagle. His awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, four Legions of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism and extraordinary achievement against Japanese forces, the Presidential Unit Citation, and the Navy Unit Commendation. Rear Admiral Cassell was a member of the Golden Eagles Association. While at Texas A&M University, George Cassell studied chemical engineering.
Geoffrey L.
Chesbrough ’67
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Navy Rear Adm.
Alexandria, VA
A native of Ohio, Rear Admiral Chesbrough U.S. Navy (Ret.) graduated the U.S. Naval Academy with the Class of 1962. He attended graduate school at Texas A&M University, receiving his Masters Degree in Physical Oceanography. A long and distinguished naval career led him to Washington in 1990, where he served as the Oceanographer of the Navy until he retired in 1994. After retirement, he consulted on many projects including the building of a state-of-the-art Oceanographic Survey ship for the University of Hawaii. Following graduation from U.S. Naval Academy, Rear Admiral Chesbrough reported to USS MULLINNIX (DD-944) and served in the Engineering Department. While in MULLINNIX he was part of the blockade of Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He has also served at sea as the Weapons Officer in USS BRIDGET (DE-1024), as Operations Officer in USS CLAUDE V. RICKETTS (DDG-5), as commissioning Executive Officer in USS KINKAID (DD-965), as Commanding Officer in USS BRISCOE (DD-977), and as Commander, Destroyer Squadron SEVENTEEN. Rear Admiral Chesbrough also served afloat as the Fleet Schedules Officer and Surface Operations Officer in the Staff of Commander, U.S. SIXTH Fleet and in the Republic of Vietnam with the Vietnamese Navy. In Vietnam he was an advisor and only English speaking person on the Vietnamese ship HQVN CHI LINH (PCE-11). In Washington, he served in the Executive Office of the President, Office of Telecommunications Policy. He graduated with Highest Distinction from the United States Naval War College in 1978 and was requested to remain as part of the War College faculty in the department of Strategy and Policy. Additionally, he has served in the staff of the Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet as the Surface Warfare Readiness Officer and as the Executive Assistant to the Deputy Commander in Chief, Atlantic Command and U.S. Atlantic Fleet. Selected to Flag rank in November 1985, Rear Admiral Chesbrough served as the Director, Command and Control Planning and Programming Division (OP-940). In August 1988, Rear Admiral Chesbrough moved to the Republic of the Philippines and assumed duties as the Commander, Naval Surface Group, Western Pacific, Commander Surface Combatant Task Force SEVENTH Fleet (CTF 75), and Commander, Logistic Support Force, SEVENTH Fleet (CTF 73). In October of 1990, Rear Admiral Chesbrough returned to Washington and served as the Oceanographer of the Navy until he retired, July 1, 1994. After retirement, Rear Admiral Chesbrough consulted for The Florida State University, International Institute for Climate Change Prediction, and later was employed by Strategic Insight, a Washington area based management consulting firm. In his consulting career he has provided support, analysis, and advice to The Director of Surface Warfare, the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (M&RA), the Program Executive Officer for Theater Surface Combatants, DCNO for Space and Electronic Warfare, the Program Manager for the Joint Command and Control Ship, the Defense Acquisition University, and the University of Hawaii where he assisted the University in building a state of the art Oceanographic Survey ship. Rear Admiral Chesbrough’s personal awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (4 awards), the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” distinguishing device, Meritorious Service Medal (2 awards), the Navy Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross and many others. He is married to Mildred Chesbrough.
Richard T.
Gaskill ’52
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Navy Vice Admiral
Pensacola, FL
Vice Adm. Richard T. Gaskill passed away in July 2020 in his home in Pensacola, Florida.
Alfred G.
Harms, Jr. ’78
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Navy Vice Adm.
Sanford, FL
Al Harms currently serves as Vice President for Strategic Planning and Initiatives and Special Assistant to the President at the University of Central Florida.
He received his bachelors degree at the University of Illinois and he received his masters in Statistics at Texas A&M University in 1978, he also completed the U.S. Navy’s Test Pilot School, the Navy’s Nuclear Propulsion Training Program and the NATO Defense College
In addition to his responsibilities on the university’s senior leadership team, he serves on various academic, scientific, corporate and philanthropic boards across the nation.
Prior to joining UCF in mid-2005, he completed a distinguished career in the U.S. Navy with multiple staff and operational sea tours, including command of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Following promotion to Flag (General Officer) rank, Vice Admiral Harms had five follow-on assignments and concluded his active service as the Navy’s Chief Learning Officer.
Alfred G. Harms, Jr. is retired from the United States Navy and currently resides in Sanford, FL.
Howard H.
Haynes ’52
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Navy Rear Adm.
Tavares, FL
Howard Haynes earned a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering while at Texas A&M University. He built a career in the field of engineering. He is married to Jayne Haynes.
Brian S.
Hurley ’86
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Navy Rear Adm
McKinney, TX
Rear Admiral Hurley, originally from Galveston, Texas, graduated from the Texas A&M University in 1987 and completed Navy Nuclear pipeline in May 1989.
Hurley's tour on board USS PINTADO (SSN 672) holding several division officer positions and completing WESTPAC deployment. In May 1992, reported to SUBMARINE SQUADRON SIX as the operations officer. In June 1995, he reported to USS ATLANTA (SSN 712) as Combat Systems Officer completing several Atlantic deployments, MED deployment and his submarine command qualifications. In August of 1998, he transferred to COMMANDER ATLANTIC FLEET as Executive Assistant to Plans and Policy. Also Lead in establishing contingency plans and supervising international relations. In May of 2000, Hurley transitioned to reserve status holding numerous positions supporting global fleet operations.He was assigned as the Commanding Officer of Emory S Land unit, Officer in Charge of Amphibious Construction Battalion detachment 111, Commanding Officer Submarine Learning Center San Diego and Commanding Officer NR Submarine Development Squadron Twelve. Commanding Officer NR Joint Staff- South. and Commanding Officer for NR Commander Navy Installation Command Headquarters Navy Yard.
Other reserve Staff assignments have been Deputy Chief of Staff at Navy Reserve Commander Seventh Fleet, Officer in Charge of Plans and Policy for Navy Reserve Commander Seventh Fleet. His personal awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (2 awards), Navy Commendation Medal (4 awards), and Navy Achievement Medal (2 awards).
He is currently assigned as Deputy Commander Seventh Fleet. In his civilian life, he is the technical manager for Teradyne.
Ronny L.
Jackson '91
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Navy RDML
Washington, D.C.
A native of Levelland, Texas, Rear Adm. Ronny L. Jackson graduated from Texas A&M University in 1991 with a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology. He then went on to attend medical school at the University of Texas Medical Branch, graduating in 1995 with his Doctor of Medicine. He began his active duty naval service in 1995 at the Portsmouth Naval Medical Center in Virginia, where he completed his internship in transitional medicine.
After completing his first year of residency training in 1996, he went on to become the honor graduate of the Navy’s Undersea Medical Officer Program in Groton, Connecticut. Uniquely qualified in submarine and hyperbaric medicine, his subsequent operational assignments included, instructor at the Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center in Panama City, Florida; det. officer in charge and diving medical officer at Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 8 in Sigonella, Italy; and diving safety officer at the Naval Safety Center in Norfolk.
In 2001, Jackson returned to Portsmouth Naval Medical Center to begin his residency in emergency medicine, finishing at the top of his class and receiving the honor graduate designation. Upon completing his residency in 2004, he was assigned as clinical faculty in the Emergency Medicine Residency Program at the Naval Hospital in Portsmouth, Virginia. In 2005 he joined the 2nd Marines, Combat Logistics Regiment 25, in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. From there he deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as the emergency medicine physician in charge of resuscitative medicine for a forward deployed Surgical Shock Trauma Platoon in Taqaddum, Iraq.
In 2006, while still in Iraq, Jackson was selected as a White House physician. Since arriving at the White House, he has directed the Executive Health Care for the President’s Cabinet and Senior Staff, served as physician supervisor for the Camp David Presidential Retreat, held the position of physician to the White House and led the White House Medical Unit as its director. He has served as White House physician during the past three administrations and was the appointed physician to the president for President Barack Obama. He currently serves as the appointed physician to the president for President Donald J. Trump.
His awards include, the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards), the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal (three awards), as well as other individual, unit and campaign awards. He is also designated as a diving and undersea medical officer, naval parachutist, Fleet Marine Force Warfare qualified officer, and submarine warfare qualified medical officer.
Jackson is a board certified diplomate of the American Board of Emergency Medicine and is designated as a fellow of the American Academy of Emergency Medicine. He currently holds faculty clinical appointments with the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and the Harvard School of Medicine affiliated Beth Israel Deaconess Disaster Medicine Fellowship Program.
Jerome L.
Johnson ’56
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Navy Adm.
Fort Myers, FL
Adm. Jerome L. Johnson is the President and CEO of the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS), a non-profit charitable organization whose purpose is to provide financial assistance to Navy and Marine Corps personnel and their families in time of need.
A native of Texas born in 1935, Adm. Jerome L. Johnson attended Texas A&M University prior to entering the Naval Aviation Cadet Program in 1955. Adm. Johnson is also a graduate of the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, Ca. and The Defense Intelligence College in Washington, DC. He was awarded a Doctor of Strategic Intelligence (honoris causa) from the DIC.
Adm. Jerome L. Johnson served in the Navy from 1956-1992. He served as the commander of the Vice Chief of Naval Operations. From 2002 to 2004, he served as Chairman of the Board for the 385-thousand members of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA).
His military awards and decorations include the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, and the Air Medal.
Adm. Jerome L. Johnson is retired now. He and his wife, Joy, reside in Fort Myers, FL. They have three adult children, five grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.
Robert J.
Kamensky ’79
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Navy Rear Adm.
San Diego, CA
Rear Adm. Robert J. Kamensky graduated from Texas A&M University in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nuclear Engineering. He holds a Masters of Science degree in Aerospace Systems as well.
Following nuclear propulsion training and Submarine School, he reported to USS Drum (SSN 677) in San Diego in December 1980. He served on USS Drum holding positions as main propulsion assistant, damage control assistant and weapons officer department head through May 1984 making three deployments to the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean.
In 2007, Rear Adm. Robert J. Kamensky was assigned to Commander Submarine Force serving as the Submarine Force Reserve Component chief of staff with oversight of 72 reserve units supporting worldwide operations.
Rear. Adm. Robert J. Kamensky serves as the director of the Organizational Process Management Office (since 2006), with specific emphasis on Lean Six Sigma (LSS) program implementation for commander Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command.
His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (2 awards), Navy Commendation Medal and Navy Achievement Medal.
Rear Adm. Robert J. Kamensky currently resides in San Diego, CA with his wife Susan.
Raymond A.
Moore ’35
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Navy RADM
Alexandria, VA
RADM Raymond A. Moore attended Texas A&M College in 1935 and studied Engineering before leaving to join the Navy.
RADM Raymond A. Moore passed away in 1968.
William W.
Pickavance, Jr. ’68
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Navy Rear Adm.
League City, TX
Rear Adm. William W. Pickavance, Jr. graduated from Texas A&M in 1968 with a Bachelor of Arts degree.
He has served as Aide/Flag Lieutenant to Commander Light Attack Wings Pacific and to Vice Chief of Naval Operations and Executive Assistant to the Director, Air Warfare (N88).
His military awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, three Legions of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and four Meritorious Service Medals.
David B.
Robinson ’62
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Navy Vice Adm.
Arlington, TX
Vice Adm. David B. Robinson attended Texas A&M University before entering the United States Naval Academy.
He has served as the Administrative Aide to the Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff, Surface Commander Assignment Officer, and Director of the Fiscal Management and Procedural Control Division for the Naval Atlantic Fleet.
His military awards and decorations include the Navy Cross, Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with Combat “V,” Meritorious Service Medal and Purple Heart.
Vice Adm. David B. Robinson retired and 1996 and currently resides in Arlington, TX.
Charles "Chip"
Rock ’86
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Navy Rear Adm.
Rear Adm. Charles W. Rock '86 is a native of Upstate New York. He was commissioned in 1987 through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps Program at Texas A&M University, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Ocean Engineering. Rock holds a master’s degree in national security strategy from the National War College.
His assignments at sea include combat information center officer aboard USS Mahlon S. Tisdale (FFG 27), electrical officer aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), operations officer on USS Cole (DDG 67) and USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55), executive officer aboard USS Donald Cook (DDG 75), and commanding officer on High Speed Vessel Swift (HSV) 2.
Ashore he has served as command, control and communications plans officer, U.S. European Command; military assistant to the political advisor, U.S. Joint Forces Command; deputy executive assistant and flag secretary to the Commander, U.S. Joint Forces Command and the Supreme Allied Commander, Transformation; division chief, Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate (J-5), the Joint Chiefs of Staff; chief of staff, Navy Installations Command; commander Fleet Activities Sasebo, Japan; and as Commandant, Naval District Washington.
Rock took over leadership of the Navy Region Mid-Atlantic fleet, which encompasses 14 installations across 20 states, in July 2018. He previously served as the 90th commandant of the Naval District Washington since August 18, 2016.
His awards include Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, two awards of the Joint Commendation Medal, five awards of the Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal, two awards of the Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal and numerous unit and campaign awards.
Merton D.
Van Orden ’43
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Navy Rear Adm.
Arlington, VA
Dick Van Orden ’43 was a member of Battery D – Coast Artillery while at Texas A&M. During his time at Texas A&M, Dick was involved in the Singing Cadets as well as the Army Student Pilots Training Program. After graduation, Dick served in the U.S. Navy where he retired as a Rear Admiral. In his free time, Dick enjoys being an author, sailing, and history. He and his wife, Nancy, have two children, five grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
Robert C.
Williams ’76
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Navy Rear Adm.
Atlanta, GA
Rear Admiral Robert C. Williams is Chief Engineer of the United States Public Health Service and Assistant Surgeon General. He graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science and a Masters in civil engineering. Williams military awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Outstanding Service Medal, three commendation Medals, US PHS Engineer of the Year and the CFEE Federal Environmental Engineer of the Year.
Robert
Smith III ’61
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Navy Reserve Rear Adm.
Houston, TX
Rear Adm. Robert Smith III received a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics from Texas A&M University in 1961 and was commissioned into the U.S. Navy in 1962.
During his 35 years of service, he participated in assignments in the Pacific, Washington, D.C., and the Atlantic, and retired in 1996 as chief of staff to the Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. In 1987 Smith was selected a Rear Admiral (lower half) and later earned his second star in 1991.
The U.S. Navy recognized his distinguished military career with honors including the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal and the Navy Unit Commendation Award.
In 1999 he received the Jimmy Williams Distinguished Service Award from the Dallas A&M Club, was awarded the “Outstanding Houston Aggie of the Year” by the Houston A&M Club in 2002 and was inducted as a Texas A&M University and The Association of Former Students Distinguished Alumnus in 2005.
Rear Adm. Robert Smith III currently resides in Houston, TX.
Brenda J.
Holman ’87
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Public Health Service Rear Adm.
Rockville, MD
Brenda J. Holman, Regional Food and Drug Director in the Pacific Region of the Office of Regulatory Affairs, (ORA), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), was promoted to Rear Admiral (RADM) in the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps on January 1, 2002.
With this promotion, Ms. Holman becomes the only officer of this rank within the entire FDA field organization, where she serves as one of only five regional Food and Drug Directors in the FDA.
As the Pacific Regional Food and Drug Director, RADM Holman is responsible for 580 employees across three FDA districts, two regional laboratories and the regional office. The region's organization includes the Financial Management Staff, the Information Technology Staff and the State Cooperative Program Staff as well as the Small Business Office.
RADM Holman's responsibility and authority span all FDA-regulated product and program areas within her region including pharmaceuticals, biological products, foods, veterinary products and medical devices, including radiological health products. Ms. Holman is also the Senior Advisor to the Veterinary Medicine Field Committee.
A native of Texas, RADM Holman holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology from the University of Texas and a Master of Science degree in Food Science and Technology from Texas A&M University.
She began her FDA career in the Northeast Region as a Milk and Food Program Specialist, and then served as a Training Officer in the Office of Regulatory Affairs's State Training Branch in Rockville, Md. She later transferred to the Pacific Region as Assistant Regional Director responsible for the State Cooperative Programs. She was subsequently selected as District Director in Detroit District, then District Director in the New York District. She has served FDA as the Regional Food and Drug Director in the Pacific Region since September 2000. Her previous work experience includes seven years in state and local health departments in Texas.
Richard A.
Box ’61
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State Guard Brig. Gen.
Austin, TX
Richard Arthur Box, DDS of Austin received his bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University in 1961 and a doctorate of dental science from the University of Texas Dental Branch in Houston in 1966. Dr. Box is a doctor of dental surgery and has a private practice in the Austin area. Dr. Box is a member of the American and Texas Dental Associations, and American and Texas Academies of General Dentistry. He is a also a member of the Capitol Area Boy Scouts Board of Directors, Texas A&M Lettermen’s Association, 173rd Airborne Brigade Association and National Guard Association of Texas. He served in the United States Army and as commander of the Texas State Guard. He served on The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents from 2008 to 2013, including as Chairman from March 2011 to 2013.
Ed Y.
Hall ’60
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State Guard Brig. Gen.
Spartanburg, SC
Brig. Gen. Ed Hall credits Boy Scouts with inspiring his later entry into the military and still serves as Aviation Merit Badge Counselor. “After hitchhiking 400 miles to Texas A& M, a military college at the time, to be a member of the famed Texas Aggie Cadet Corps and to learn how to be a soldier,” Ed served four years as a Cadet and graduated in 1960; he won a Regular Army Commission awarded to the top 5% of ROTC graduates. As a Distinguished Military Graduate, he was allowed to select his branch of service, Armor, and first assignment: Germany. Ed served in the Regular Army from 1960-1980, which included three tours of duty in Southeast Asia; he tells of his duty in Vietnam in VALLEY OF THE SHADOW. In his 20 years of military service he saw assignments all over the world: Germany, England, France, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, several trips to Vietnam, Forts Benning, Knows, Eustis, Leavenworth, and Riley. Ed Y. Hall is now President of Honoribus Press, which is dedicated to publishing the memoirs of military veterans. He has served some 20 veterans in this capacity. Ed came to Spartanburg for ROTC duty at Wofford College. He taught ROTC subjects, led the flight program at Wofford, and trained 18 Senior Cadets in aviation; this training led to their pilot’s licenses in preparation for the Army Flight Training Program. His first retirement--from the US Army--resulted in his joining the administrative staff at Wofford as the assistant director of the physical plant. After 22 years, Ed retired from the Wofford Staff in 2004--his second retirement. Ed joined the SC State Guard as a volunteer General Staff Officer in 1984. The SCSG is a volunteer auxiliary of the SC National Guard. Ed. Y. Hall earned the rank of Brigadier General in May 2001. His wife, Cathy Hart Hall, helped pin the coveted stars on him with the help of Major General Stan Spears, SC Adjutant General, who conducted the formal ceremony in Columbia. Ed served for 22 years in the South Carolina State Guard. He retired from the Guard in 2006--his third retirement. On February 25, 2006, Ed Y. Hall received the Order of the Palmetto, the highest civilian honor awarded by the Governor of South Carolina. This distinguished recognition from Governor Sanford goes only to those who have significant statewide achievements, service, and accomplishments.
Donald J.
Johnson ’55
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State Guard Brig. Gen.
Bryan, TX
While at Texas A&M University, Brig. Gen. Johnson studied Wildlife Management. He is married to Pam Johnson. From May to August of 1996, Donald J. Johnson was the interim Commandant for Texas A&M University. He retired as Deputy Commandant and Chief of Staff for the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M University.
Charles R.
Weaver ’59
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State Guard Brig. Gen.
Killeen, TX
Brig. Gen. Charles R. Weaver graduated from Texas A&M University in 1959 with a bachelor’s degree in History.
Brig. Gen. Charles R. Weaver has had a distinguished military career. He retired from federal active service in 1988 with the rank of Colonel. He was commissioned in the Texas State Guard in 1989 and retired from state active service in 1998 with the rank of Brigadier General.
His military awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal and the Legion of Merit.
Brig. Gen. Charles R. Weaver is retired from his military career and currently resides in Killeen, TX.