Major General James G. Blunt

Edit links

Darryl Anthony Williams[1] (born 22 June 1961) is a United States Army general who serves as the commanding general of United States Army Europe and Africa since 28 June 2022 and commander of Allied Land Command since 4 August 2022. He previously served as the 60th Superintendent of the United States Military Academy, the first African-American to hold the position. He served as commander of Allied Land Command as a lieutenant general from 24 June 2016 to 29 June 2018.

Early life

Williams grew up in Fairfax County, Virginia, and attended Mount Vernon High School playing center for the Majors 1979 state champion basketball team and a defensive end on the football team. Williams graduated in 1979.[2]

Military career

Gen. Williams assumes command as Commanding General, U.S. Army Europe and Africa on 28 June 2022.

Williams graduated from the United States Military Academy in December 1983 and was commissioned a second lieutenant of Field Artillery.[3] His first assignment was an executive officer and fire direction officer in Schweinfurt, Germany, with the 3rd Infantry Division. Next, Williams was assigned to XVIII Airborne Corps, deploying to Southwest Asia in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He was then assigned to West Point as a Tactical Officer. Later, Williams served in various command positions in Europe, including commander of United States Army Africa in Vicenza, Italy; deputy chief of staff G3/5/7 of the United States Army in Europe, Wiesbaden, Germany; and commanding general of the United States Army Warrior Transition Command and assistant surgeon general for Warrior Care and Transition.[4][5]

In 2014, Williams was tapped by President Barack Obama to manage the United States' response to the West African Ebola virus epidemic.[6]

On 24 June 2016, Williams assumed command of NATO Allied Land Command in Turkey.[7]

Williams's military education includes the Field Artillery Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, United States Army Command and General Staff College, School of Advanced Military Studies, and the United States Naval War College. He holds Masters’ degrees in Leadership Development, Military Art and Science, and National Security and Strategic Studies.[8]

In June 2022, Williams was nominated for promotion to general and appointment as Commanding General, U.S. Army Europe and Africa. He replaced Christopher G. Cavoli, who was to take command of the United States European Command, on 28 June 2022.[9][10][11] He assumed command of Allied Land Command a second time from Lieutenant General Roger Cloutier on 4 August 2022.[12]

Awards and decorations

  Basic Parachutist Badge
  Army Staff Identification Badge
  Presidential Service Badge
  16th Field Artillery Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia
  1st Armored Division Shoulder Sleeve Insignia
  4 Overseas Service Bars
Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Army Distinguished Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster
Defense Superior Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Legion of Merit with three oak leaf clusters
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze Star Medal with oak leaf cluster
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Silver oak leaf cluster
Meritorious Service Medal with silver oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Army Achievement Medal
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Joint Meritorious Unit Award with oak leaf cluster
Valorous Unit Award
Meritorious Unit Commendation
Superior Unit Award
Bronze star
National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star
Southwest Asia Service Medal with two service stars
Bronze star
Iraq Campaign Medal with service star
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Korea Defense Service Medal
Armed Forces Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Army Service Ribbon
Army Overseas Service Ribbon with bronze award numeral 8
Medal of Honour - Defence General Staff Joint Forces (Italy)
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)

References

  1. ^ "Darryl Anthony Williams". West Point Association of Graduates. Retrieved 21 November 2020.
  2. ^ Creed, Phil (15 July 2018). "Mount Vernon alum takes over as new superintendent of West Point". Covering The Corridor. Alexandria, VA.
  3. ^ "LTG Darryl A. Williams | Association of the United States Army". ausa.org. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  4. ^ "Williams assumes command, becomes 60th USMA Superintendent". Pointer View. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
  5. ^ "Warrior Transition Command welcomes new commander". US Army. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
  6. ^ "Darryl A. Williams: The Man Who Will Lead the War on Ebola". nbcnews.com. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  7. ^ "Allied Land Command – Lieutenant General Williams Takes Lead of Allied Land Command". lc.nato.int. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  8. ^ "Superintendent's Biography". Retrieved 13 September 2020.
  9. ^ "PN2254 — Lt. Gen. Darryl A. Williams — Army". United States Congress. 8 June 2022.
  10. ^ McLeary, Paul (3 June 2022). "Williams recommended to be next Army Europe commander". Politico. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
  11. ^ "Webcast: U.S. Army Europe and Africa Change of Command Ceremony". DVIDS. 24 June 2022. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
  12. ^ Andries, Brian (4 August 2022). "NATO Allied Land Command Welcomes New Commander". DVIDS. Buca: NATO - Allied Land Command. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
Military offices
Preceded by Commanding General of United States Army Africa
2014–2016
Succeeded by
Preceded by Commander of Allied Land Command
2016–2018
Succeeded by
Preceded by Superintendent of the United States Military Academy
2018–2022
Succeeded by
Preceded by Commanding General of United States Army Europe and Africa
2022–present
Incumbent
Preceded by Commander of Allied Land Command
2022–present