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Raymond Odierno

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Parent: Chief of Staff of the United States Army Hop 4
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Raymond Odierno
Raymond Odierno
source
NameRaymond Odierno
CaptionGeneral Raymond Odierno, 38th Chief of Staff of the United States Army
Birth date8 September 1954
Death date8 October 2021
Birth placeRockaway, New Jersey, U.S.
AllegianceUnited States
BranchUnited States Army
Serviceyears1976–2015
RankGeneral
CommandsUnited States Army Chief of Staff United States Joint Forces Command Multi-National Force – Iraq III Corps 4th Infantry Division
BattlesGulf War Iraq War
AwardsDefense Distinguished Service Medal (4) Army Distinguished Service Medal (2) Navy Distinguished Service Medal Air Force Distinguished Service Medal Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit (4) Bronze Star Medal

Raymond Odierno was a highly decorated United States Army general who served as the 38th Chief of Staff of the United States Army. A veteran of both the Gulf War and the Iraq War, he played a pivotal role in the 2007 troop surge in Iraq as commanding general of Multi-National Corps – Iraq. His career culminated in his tenure as the senior uniformed officer in the United States Department of the Army, where he oversaw the service during a period of significant transition following the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Early life and education

Born in Rockaway, New Jersey, he was the son of a World War II veteran. He attended Morris Hills High School before receiving an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point. He graduated in 1976 with a Bachelor of Science degree and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Field Artillery. He later earned a Master of Science in Nuclear Effects Engineering from North Carolina State University and a second master's degree in National Security and Strategy from the Naval War College.

Military career

His early assignments included posts with the 1st Cavalry Division and the 7th Infantry Division. He served in Operation Desert Storm as the assistant Division Artillery commander for the 1st Armored Division. He commanded the 4th Infantry Division during the initial 2003 invasion of Iraq. In 2006, he took command of III Corps and was subsequently deployed to Baghdad to serve as the commanding general of Multi-National Corps – Iraq, where he implemented the surge strategy under General David Petraeus. He later served as the commanding general of United States Joint Forces Command and as the Military Advisor to the United States Secretary of State. In 2011, he was appointed as the 38th Chief of Staff of the United States Army, serving until his retirement in 2015.

Post-military career and later life

Following his retirement from the United States Army, he joined the private sector, serving as a senior advisor to JPMorgan Chase & Co. He was also appointed as the inaugural chair of the board for USA Football's Football Development Model. He served on the board of directors for several organizations, including the National Football Foundation and the Atlantic Council. He passed away on October 8, 2021, after a battle with cancer.

Awards and decorations

His numerous military awards include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Army Distinguished Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, the Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit with three oak leaf clusters, and the Bronze Star Medal. He also received the Combat Action Badge and was a recipient of the prestigious Order of the Sword from the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy.

Personal life

He was married to Linda Odierno, and they had three children: Tony, Mike, and Katie. His son, Captain Tony Odierno, was a United States Army officer who lost an arm to a rocket-propelled grenade attack in Baghdad in 2004. He was an avid supporter of wounded warrior programs, including the Wounded Warrior Project and the Fisher House Foundation. A dedicated sports fan, he served as the grand marshal for the 2014 Army–Navy Game and was a member of the National Football Foundation leadership.

Category:United States Army generals Category:American military personnel of the Iraq War Category:American military personnel of the Gulf War Category:Recipients of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal Category:United States Military Academy alumni