Thomas G.
Smith ’01
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Army Brig. Gen.
San Antonio, TX
Brig. Gen. Thomas G. Smith was born June 24, 1929. He graduated from Texas A&M University with a Masters degree in Educational Human Resources Development.
His military service is as follows:
GENERAL OFFICER, UNITED STATES ARMY (1979 -1981). Assigned as the Deputy Commanding General of the United States Army Engineer Training Center, located at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. This installation of 31,000 persons, is the tenth largest community in the State of Missouri. It graduated 45,000 trainees per year. Personnel were trained in 16 military occupational specialties, such as dozer, crane, grader, and other heavy equipment operators. Annual operating budget was 135 million dollars. Assisted the Commanding General in overall operation of the installation with a primary focus on individual training.
GENERAL OFFICER (1976-1979). Assigned as the Assistant Chief of Staff for Logistics, Headquarters Allied Forces Central Europe, stationed in The Netherlands. Responsible for the planning and coordinating the procurement, transport and long term storage of such war materials as ammunition, combat equipment and petroleum for an international military force consisting of approximately three million soldiers, airmen and sailors of seven North Atlantic Treaty Nations. Served as Chairman of the Central European Pipeline Office (CEPO) which exercised managerial, operating and planning control of the international NATO pipeline system which consisted of over 6,000 kilometers: annual budget exceeded 85 million dollars. Prepared the overall compilation and priority ranking of five year projections of infrastructure programs for all of Central Europe.
FIELD GRADE OFFICER, UNITED STATES ARMY (1975 -1976). Team Chief of Headquarters Department of the Army Manpower/Management Survey Team. Traveled worldwide to all major Army Command Headquarters and conducted an in depth analysis of their manpower and staffing requirements.
Concurrently, examined their overall management policies and made recommendations for organizational restructuring when deemed appropriate to the Inspector General of the Army. Planned the reorganization of the National War College and The Industrial College of the Armed Forces into The National Defense University structure, which was briefed to and approved by the Secretary of Defense.
COMMANDING OFFICER OF ARMORED BRIGADE (1973-1974). Commanded a 7,000 man combat brigade for 18 months at Fort Hood, Texas. During that period, planned and executed the air lift of the entire brigade from Fort Hood, to Ramstein AFB in West Germany. At the completion on six weeks of open field maneuvers deployed the brigade back to Fort Hood. The primary mission of the Brigade was to achieve and maintain a state of combat readiness for deployment anywhere in the world, the exercise to Europe demonstrated that level of readiness.
FIELD GRADE OFFICER SERVICE ONTHE DEPARTMENT OFTHE ARMY GENERAL STAFF (1966-1969). Primary duty was as a staff management analyst and briefing officer in the Office of the Chief of Staff of the United States Army. Duties consisted of reducing lengthy staff papers to executive summaries and then brief the Army Chief of Staff and Vice Chief of Staff on the papers and secured a decision from them. Chiefs of Staff worked for were General Harold K. Johnston and General William C. Westmoreland. The Vice Chief of Staff was General Creighton W. Abrams.
Served as the Commanding Officer of the 2nd Battalion of the 34th Armor Regiment in Vietnam in 1969 for a period of six months subsequently assigned as the Deputy Operations Officer of the II Field Force. He is a veteran of both the Korean and Vietnam wars.
Brig. Gen. Thomas G. Smith is retired from his military career and currently resides in San Antonio, TX.
In the civilian sector, Brig. Gen. Smith’s served on the Public Utility Commission of Texas from 1982-83 setting rates and service standards for all telephone utilities in the State of Texas, and for privately or Investor owned electric, water and sewer utilities operating In the unincorporated areas.
He was Professor and Academic Director at Webster University from l985 to 2007. There, he instructed graduate level courses. During the period of employment as a teacher (22 years) he taught approximately 4,500 graduate students, many were active duty military and veterans.
He was also appointed to the Fund for Veterans Assistance Committee, Texas Veterans Commission in 2008, where he still serves.
CIVIL EDUCATION:
B. A. from Southern Illinois University
B.A. from University of Maryland
B.A. from Saint Mary's University
M.B.A. from Syracuse University
M.S.I.A. George Washington University
M.S. in Educational Human Resources Development from Texas A&M University
MILITARY EDUCATION (All Graduates):
Engineer Officer Basic Course
Armor Officer Career Course
Army Command and General Staff College
National War College
MILITARY AWARDS AND DECORATIONS: Distinguished Service Medal
Defense Superior Service Medal, Silver Star Medal,
Legion of Merit (w/2 Oak Leaf Clusters), Soldier's Medal,
Bronze Star Medal (w/"V" and3 Oak Leaf Clusters), Air Medal (w/10 Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Commendation Medal {w/5 Oak Leaf Clusters), Purple Heart Medal, Combat Infantry Badge
Ormond R.
Simpson ’36
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Marine Corps Lt. Gen.
Bryan, TX
Lt. Gen. Ormond R. Simpson received a Bachelor degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1936 and was commissioned in the U.S. Marines.
He served for 37 years, serving in WWII, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, while working his way up to the rank of Lieutenant General before retiring from active duty in 1973.
In 1974, he became the Assistant Vice President for Student Services at Texas A&M University.
Lt. Gen. Ormond R. Simpson passed away in 1998.
Clifford M.
Simmang ’36
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Army Reserve Brig. Gen.
Bryan, TX
Brig. Gen. Clifford M. Simmang graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering.
Brig. Gen. Clifford M. Simmang passed away in 1994.
John E.
Simek ’65
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Army Reserve Maj. Gen.
Bryan, TX
Maj. Gen. John E. Simek graduated from Texas A&M University in 1965 with a Masters in Nuclear Engineering.
Maj. Gen. John E. Simek is retired from the military and currently resides in Bryan, TX.
John
Serur ’59
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Air Force Brig. Gen.
Austin, TX
Brig. Gen. John Serur was the commander of the Defense Contract Administration Services Region, Los Angeles.
He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Texas A&M University in 1959.
After receiving his commission through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program at Texas A&M College in May 1959, General Serur's first assignment was as supply officer for the 779th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron, Opheim Air Force Station, MT.
His military awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, joint Service Commendation Medal and Air Force Commendation Medal.
Brig. Gen. John Serur retired on August 1, 1989 and currently resides in Austin, TX.
Charles M.
Scott, Jr. ’53
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Army Brig. Gen.
Litchfield Park, AZ
Brig. Gen. Charles M. Scott, Jr. graduated from Texas A&M University in 1953 with a Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering.
Brig. Gen. Charles M. Scott, Jr. is retired and currently resides in Litchfield Park, AZ.
James T.
Scott ’64
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Army Lt. Gen.
Coleman, TX
Lt. Gen. James T. Scott graduated from Texas A&M University in 1964 with a Bachelors degree in Animal Husbandry.
He was the Commanding General of United States Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
Previously, he served as Commanding General of the 2nd Infantry division, Eighth United States Army, Korea.
Lt. Gen. James T. Scott is retired and currently resides in Coleman, TX.
Bernard A.
Schriever ’31
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Air Force Gen.
Washington, DC
Gen. Bernard A. Schriever was the commander of the Air Force Systems Command and was the architect of the Air Force’s ballistic missile and military space program.
He graduated from Texas A&M in 1931 with a Bachelor of Science degree and later obtained his Masters degree in aeronautical engineering at Stanford University.
Gen. Bernard A. Schriever began his long association with the AFSC in 1954 as assistant to the commander, and with a small group of officers formed what has since become the Air Force’s ballistic and systems divisions with the end product such ballistic missiles and all the aerospace systems which have been launched into orbit.
Gen. Bernard A. Schriever passed away in 2005.
Michael M.
Schneider ’62
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Army Brig. Gen.
Tucson, AZ
Brig. Gen. Michael M. Schneider graduated from Texas A&M University in 1962 with a Bachelors degree in Mathematics.
Brig. Gen. Michael M. Schneider retired in 1993 as head of the U.S. Army Foreign Intelligence Command after a thirty-year military career. He currently resides in Tucson, AZ.
Otto E.
Scherz ’42
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Army Maj. Gen.
San Angelo, TX
Maj. Gen. Otto Erwin Scherz was born in San Angelo, Texas, on July 15, 1921. He graduated from Texas A&M University in 1942 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Landscape Architecture.
General Scherz's military career began upon graduation from college when he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant, Field Artillery, and assigned to the 561st Field Artillery Battalion.
He fought in World War II, in Europe, as a battery commander. After returning from World War II he became a member of the Texas Army National Guard. Continuing his military career he held positions such as, Division Artillery Commander and Assistant Division Commander. He was promoted to Maj. Gen. in March of 1976.
Among his numerous awards in recognition of his long and distinguished career are the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star and the Lone Star Distinguished Service Medal.
Maj. Gen. Otto E. Scherz retired on July 31, 1978. His military career spanned over 36 years. He passed away in 1993.
Thomas A.
Sands ’64
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Army Maj. Gen
New Orleans, LA
Tom served as Commander of the Corps New Orleans District, North Atlantic Division and Lower Mississippi Valley Division as well as President, Mississippi River Commission. Since retiring from military service, Tom has served as a Partner in a large law firm with emphasis on construction, engineering and environmental issues. He provides management, engineering, planning and related consulting services associated with commercial development activities, ports, terminals, transportation infrastructure and coastal protection and restoration. He was involved with the Consortium of Environmental Risk Evaluation in evaluating environmental health risks associated with DOE’s nuclear weapons facilities. He serves as a Board Member, The Water Institute of the Gulf.
James Earl
Rudder ’32
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Army Maj. Gen.
Eden, TX
Maj. Gen. James Earl Rudder was born in Eden, Texas on May 6, 1910. He received a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University in Industrial Engineering in 1932.
During WWII, Rudder organized and trained the 2nd Ranger Battalion that scaled the cliffs of Pointe du Hoc during the D-Day invasion and commanded the 109th Infantry Regiment during the Battle of the Bulge.
He served as the 16th President of Texas A&M until his death. A period of unparalleled growth in enrollment, educational programs, and value of facilities for Texas A&M occurred during his service.
While President of Texas A&M, Rudder is credited for transforming the University from a small land-grant college to a renowned university. Specifically, he made membership in the Corps of Cadets optional and allowed women to attend. There are many reminders of Rudder on campus, including Rudder Tower, next to the Memorial Student Center, and a statue. Additionally, a special training unit within the Corps of Cadets known as "Rudder's Rangers" is named in his honor.
Maj. Gen. James Early Rudder passed away on March 23, 1970.
David A.
Rubenstein ’77
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Army Maj. Gen.
Universal City, TX
Maj. Gen. David A. Rubenstein is the U.S. Army's Deputy Surgeon General and Commander United States Army Medical Center. He serves concurrently as the Chief of the Army Medical Service Corps.
Prior to this assignment he was the Commanding General of Europe Regional Medical Command [Heidelberg, Germany] and Command Surgeon for United States Army, Europe and 7th Army. He previously commanded the 30th Medical Brigade and was the V U.S. Army Corps Command Surgeon [Heidelberg, Germany]. He has commanded many others.
He graduated from Texas A&M University in 1977 with a Bachelor's degree in Health Education. He is also a 1997 graduate of the Army War College. He earned a Master's Degree in Health Administration from Baylor University and a Master's Degree in Military Art and Science from the Army's Command and General Staff College.
His awards and decorations are the Army Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Legion of Merit, Army Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, NATO Medal, Overseas Ribbon, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Army Superior Unit Award, and German Proficiency Badge (Gold). He has earned the Expert Field Medical Badge, Master and Canadian Parachutist Badges, Ranger Tab, German Marksmanship Badge, Army Staff Identification Badge, The Surgeon General's "A" professional proficiency designator, and German Sports Badge.
Maj Gen. David A. Rubenstein has received the 2007 Outstanding Federal Healthcare Executive Award from the Association of Military Surgeons of the United States and has been appointed an Honorary Healthcare Administration Graduate Professor at Baylor University.
His other honors include being the inaugural recipient of the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps Mentor of the Year Award, induction into the Army Medical Department's Order of Military Medical Merit, induction as an Outstanding Alumnus of the College of Education and Human Development at Texas A&M University, and the Medical Service Corps Chief's Award of Excellence. He is listed in four Who's Who publications and was included twice in Modern Healthcare's list of the 100 most influential people in Healthcare.
His professional credentials include being a board certified healthcare executive who also serves as Immediate Past Chairman of the 37,000 member American College of Healthcare Executives. He previously served as a Governor on the College's Board of Governors and on national committees. He also served as the Healthcare Administration Consultant to the Army Surgeon General. His other professional memberships include the Association of the United States Army, Association of Military Surgeons of the United States, American Hospital Association, and Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.
MG Rubenstein has authored peer-reviewed professional articles, has two books on military medical history in progress, and has served as a book reviewer in such professional military journals as Military Review, Army, and Military Medicine.
John D.
Roper ’48
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Air Force Brig. Gen.
Pearland, TX
Brig. Gen. John D. Roper graduated from Texas A&M University in 1948 with a bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering.
He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps after two semesters at A&M, then commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in the U.S. Air Force Reserve upon graduation. Gen. Roper served as commander of the 925th Civil Engineering Flight, and while as commander the unit was selected as the outstanding non-flying unit in the Air Force Reserve. Next, Gen. Roper was selected as commander of the Air Force Reserve's only heavy-duty construction squadron, the 307th CES "RED HORSE," which was named outstanding unit of the year under his command. He was then assigned as Mobilization Assistant to the DCS for the Air Force's Technical Training and promoted to Brig. Gen.
Brig. Gen. John D. Roper passed away unexpectedly on March 5, 2017.
Allen D.
Rooke, Jr. ’46
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Army Brig. Gen.
Victoria, TX
Brig. Gen. Allen D. Rooke, Jr. graduated from Texas A&M University in 1946 with a bachelors degree in Civil Engineering.
Brig. Gen. Allen D. Rooke, Jr. passed away in 2009.
Andrew P.
Rollins, Jr. ’39
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Army Maj. Gen.
Portland, OR
Maj. Gen. Andrew P. Rollins, Jr. graduated from Texas A&M University in 1939 with a degree in Civil Engineering.
Maj. Gen. Andrew P. Rollins, Jr. is retired and currently resides in Portland, OR.
Andrew W.
Rogers ’39
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Army Brig. Gen.
Wimberley, TX
Brig. Gen. Andrew W. Rogers graduated from Texas A&M University in 1939 with a bachelors degree in Civil Engineering.
Brig. Gen. Andrew M. Rogers passed away in 2008.
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.
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.
Jay T.
Robbins ’40
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Air Force Lt. Gen.
Scott AFB, IL
Lt. Gen. Jay T. Robbins was the vice commander of Military Airlift Command, with headquarters at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois.
Lt. Gen. Jay T. Robbins received his Bachelor of Science degree from Texas A&M University in 1940 and commissioned a second lieutenant through the Reserve Officers Training Corps.
His military awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Cross, Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, and Air Force Commendation Medal.
Lt. Gen. Jay T. Robbins retired on September 1, 1974 and passed away on March 3, 2001.
John J.
Roark ’53
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Air National Guard Brig. Gen.
Dallas, TX
Brig. Gen. John J. Roark had been active in various aspects of urban development for almost 50 years and has been a leader in civil engineering, urban transportation, system design, and commercial development.
He completed ROTC training at Texas A&M University as a Distinguished Military Student and commissioned second lieutenant.
His most recent military service was as Deputy Commander of the Texas Air National Guard.
Brig. Gen. John J. Roark is currently retired and resides in Dallas, TX.
Kyle L.
Riddle ’37
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Air Force Brig. Gen.
San Antonio, TX
Brig. Gen. Kyle L. Riddle was born in Decatur, Texas, in 1913. He graduated in 1937 from Texas A&M University with a Bachelors in Agricultural Administration.
He entered the U.S. Army Air Corps Flying School at Randolph Field, Texas, in March 1938, and received his pilot wings and second lieutenant commission in the U.S. Army Air Corps Reserve at Kelly Field, Texas, in February 1939.
He was chief of staff, Headquarters Twelfth Air Force, Bergstrom Air Force Base, Austin, Texas. Previously, he served as chief of Military Assistance Advisory Group- Japan and deputy chief of staff for Operations and Training to Headquarters Tactical Air Command.
His military awards and decorations include the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, and Distinguished Unit Citation Emblem.
Brig. Gen. Kyle L. Riddle retired on March 1, 1969 and passed away on November 16, 2008.
James M.
Richards, III ’69
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Air Force Brig. Gen.
Mansfield, TX
Brig. Gen. James M. Richards received his Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Technology from Texas A&M University in 1969. He subsequently earned 2 master's degrees, one in systems management from University of Southern California and a second in military art and science from the Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
Gen. Richards retired from the Air Force in 1996 after serving as director of long range power projection, special operations forces, airlift and training programs, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C. where he was responsible to the Air Force acquisition executive for strategy, plans and programming options to ensure Congressional approval and funding for advanced weapon systems, including the B-2 Bomber and the C-17 Global Mobility Airlifter. He entered the Air Force through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program at Texas A&M University in June 1969 and received his wings after graduating from pilot training at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, a year later. A command pilot, he accumulated more than 3,600 flying hours, 1,200 of which were in combat.
Some of his military awards and decorations include the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, Distinguished Flying Cross with two oak leaf clusters, Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Air Medal with fourteen oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, and Combat Readiness Medal. He currently resides with his wife Cynda in Mansfield, Texas.
Frank A.
Ramsey ’51
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Army Brig. Gen.
Uvalde, TX
Brig. Gen. Frank A. Ramsey graduated from Texas A&M University in 1951 with a Bachelors in Veterinary Medicine and then in 1954 he graduated with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. He is retired and currently resides in Uvalde, TX.
Joe E.
Ramirez, Jr. ’79
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Army Brig. Gen.
Houston, TX
Brig. Gen. Joe Ramirez, Jr. is a native of Houston, Texas and received his commission from Texas A&M as a Distinguished Military Graduate in 1979.
He also served as a member of the Corps of Cadets and Aggie Band. He earned a Bachelor’s in Physical Education and also holds a Master’s Degree in Management from Webster University in St. Louis, MO and a Master’s in Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College in Carlisle, PA.
Brig. Gen. Joe E. Ramirez, Jr. has over 20 years of senior leadership and management experience focused on training, mentoring and developing a diverse group of young Americans, ranging in size from a Platoon (11 soldiers) to a Division (12,000 soldiers). He has a proven record of successfully leading young men and women and building highly efficient and effective units and teams, and helping to develop strong, effective leaders.
His awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service Medals, Korean Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal and the Parachutist Badge.
Before assuming his role as Commandant of the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets on November 1 -- Brig. Gen. Joe E. Ramirez, Jr. served as Deputy Director, Policy, Plans and Strategy, US European Command in Stuttgart, Germany.
Gerald H.
Putman ’62
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Army Maj. Gen.
Alexandria, VA
Maj. Gen. Gerald H. Putman graduated from Texas A&M University in 1962 with a Bachelors in Marketing.
Maj. Gen. Putman passed away in November 2019.
Veerapun
Putamanonda ’69
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Army Gen.
Bangkok, Thailand
Gen. Veerapun Putamanonda graduated from Texas A&M University in 1969 with a Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering.