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William B. Caldwell IV
LTG William B Caldwell IV Official Photo 2011
Born January 24, 1954(1954-01-24) (age 70)
Place of birth Columbus, Georgia
Allegiance United States United States of America
Service/branch United States Army seal United States Army
Years of service 1976–present.
Rank Lieutenant General
Commands held CSC, 1st Battalion, 505th PIR, 82nd Airborne Division
B Company, 1st Battalion, 46th Infantry, 1st Armored Division
4th Battalion, 27th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division (Light)
1st Brigade, 10th Mountain Division (Light)
82nd Airborne Division
U.S. Army Combined Arms Center and Fort Leavenworth, Kansas
Commander, NATO Training Mission – Afghanistan and Commander, Combined Security Transition Command - Afghanistan
United States Army North
Battles/wars Operation Just Cause
Operation Restore Hope/Restore Democracy
Operation Desert Shield/Storm
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Operation Enduring Freedom
Awards Distinguished Service Medal
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit
Bronze Star

William B. Caldwell, IV (born 1954),United States Army Lieutenant General, serving as the commanding general of United States Army North (Fifth Army), a position his father held from 1978 to 1980. LTG Caldwell also served as the senior U.S. Army commander of Fort Sam Houston, which is part of Joint Base San Antonio. Prior to his assignment at Fort Sam Houston, LTG Caldwell served as the Commander of NATO Training Mission – Afghanistan, and simultaneously as the Commander of Combined Security Transition Command - Afghanistan.[1] Other command assignments include the United States Army Combined Arms Center, and the 82nd Airborne Division.

Early 2013 (February), LTG Caldwell announced that he would be retiring from the Army later in the year, and that he had accepted appointment as President of Georgia Military College.[2][3]

Early years[]

Originally from Columbus, Georgia, Caldwell's family moved frequently. His father, William B. Caldwell, III was a serving officer in the US Army, eventually retiring as the Commander of Fifth Army. During Caldwell's early childhood, his father was stationed at the United States Military Academy. Growing up there gave him a chance to interact with West Point cadets, who helped teach some youth sports teams, which deeply influenced him:

"I found that I just really had a great respect and admiration for the cadets at the academy. I thought, 'Boy, I'd love to do something like that one day.' Then with time, I thought I'd like to serve in the armed forces, and so that led me to apply for the military academy.[4] "

Army career[]

Education and academia[]

Caldwell attended the SHAPE American High School at SHAPE,[5] Belgium followed by Hargrave Military Academy,[6] a military high school in Chatham Virginia. From there, he was accepted to the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. After graduation from West Point in 1976, Caldwell served in posts throughout the country and overseas. He continued his education with a master's degree in systems technology from the Naval Postgraduate School and then a master of military arts and sciences from the School for Advanced Military Studies which is part of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. Caldwell has also attended the John F. Kennedy School of Government and Harvard University as a Senior Service College Fellow.

Military career[]

Caldwell learned early on that the military required him to be flexible and ready for new challenges. One month prior to leaving his battalion command position in the 25th Infantry Division in Hawaii, for example, his commanding general sent him to Haiti to work as his political-military liaison in the U.S. Embassy during Operation Uphold Democracy in the mid-1990s.

Caldwell took his communications, intelligence and operations cells and worked in the embassy for six months. "I gave up command, formed this organization and took off to go work in an American embassy, which I'd never done in my life", he recalled. "In fact, I'm not even sure I'd ever been in an American embassy overseas in my life. I literally started from scratch."

After his tour in Haiti, he commanded the 1st Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, at Fort Drum, New York. He worked in the Office of the Director for Strategic Plans and Policy on the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon, and later served as the executive assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Caldwell's duties once again tested his readiness and flexibility after the September 11 attacks in 2001. During this time Caldwell was serving as deputy director for operations, U.S. Pacific Command, Hawaii. The command's focus shifted from regional war plans to the global war on terrorism.

The headquarters changed to a 24-7 operations center, Caldwell said. "So, instead of having a cell of about six or eight people that worked 24-7, we now had a cell of about 50 people that worked 24-7.[4] "

File:Caldwell 82nd Airborne Division Run.jpg

Maj. Gen. Caldwell runs with his soldiers of the 82nd Airborne Division on Fort Bragg in 2005.

The operation required reserve component personnel to play a crucial role, the general noted. "They were indispensable in the execution of our operations in the Pacific, absolutely indispensable", he said. "They brought a wealth of knowledge that a lot of our folks who had just come in for the first time in the command did not have. So they proved their weight in gold."

In July 2002 Caldwell was assigned as senior military assistant to the deputy secretary of defense. In this position he served his boss during the preparation, execution, and follow on for Operation Iraqi Freedom and other aspects of the global war on terrorism.

From May 2004 until June 2006 Caldwell served as the Commanding General of the 82nd Airborne Division. As the division commander, Caldwell oversaw countless deployments by the units under his command to both Afghanistan and Iraq.

Hurricane Katrina[]

Major General William Caldwell speaks with Soldiers and Relief Workers in New Orleans

Maj. Gen. Caldwell speaks to sailors and relief workers at the Medical Center of Louisiana Charity Hospital in downtown New Orleans.

The 82nd Airborne's 3rd Brigade and Division Artillery along with supporting units deployed to support search-and-rescue and security operations in New Orleans, Louisiana after the city was flooded by Hurricane Katrina in September 2005. In all, 3,600 paratroopers commanded by Caldwell operated out of New Orleans International Airport under Task Force All-American. The division helped evacuate 6,000 residents, treat 1,352 people, and cleared 185 city blocks of debris.[7]

Caldwell Marketplace Walk April 2007

Maj. Gen. Caldwell walks in Eastern Baghdad in April 2007.

Multi-National Force - Iraq spokesman[]

Following his command of the 82nd, Caldwell was assigned as Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Effects and spokesperson for the Multi-National Force – Iraq, a position he held for 13 months. During his deployment to Iraq, Caldwell earned the respect and admiration of both national and international media for his candid assessments of the situation in Iraq and for his responsiveness to the needs of the press.[8]

U.S. Army Combined Arms Center[]

Caldwell was promoted to the rank of lieutenant general in June 2007 and served as the Commanding General of the Combined Arms Center at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. As the Commanding General for the Combined Arms Center, he has responsibility for the Command and General Staff College and 17 other schools, centers, and training programs throughout the United States.

The Combined Arms Center is also responsible for: development of the Army's doctrinal manuals, training of the Army's commissioned and non-commissioned officers, oversight of major collective training exercises, integration of battle command systems and concepts, and supervision of the Army's Center for the collection and dissemination of lessons learned.

NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan/Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan[]

Caldwell assumed command of the NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan (NTM-A)/Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan (CSTC-A) on November 21, 2009. Prior to the activation of NTM-A at that time, CSTC-A was a two-star command headed by then Major General Richard Formica. Elevating the Afghan training mission to a three-star command reflected the increased priority placed on training the Afghan National Security Force (ANSF) as part of President Barack Obama’s Afghan “Surge.” It also ensured unity of effort and purpose while helping secure and disperse funding for building all levels of the ANSF.[9]

C3 in Helmand

Lt. Gen. Caldwell visits Afghan National Police personnel in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

After securing additional trainers and funding, the reorganization efforts at NTM-A began showing results. Less than a year after Caldwell took command, NTM-A trained an additional 68,000 soldiers for the Afghan National Army and 35,000 for the Afghan National Police.[10] These additions increased the size of the army to more than 144,000 and the police 115,000 by early November 2010.[11] By early 2011, the ANSF totaled nearly 300,000—just short of the level authorized by the Afghan Government and the United States Congress of 305,000.[12] Despite its success, NTM-A still faces a trainer shortfall, particularly regarding specialized trainers such as helicopter mechanics, medical personnel and intelligence specialists, among others. According to a Washington Post article, Caldwell was optimistic about Canada's plans to contribute more trainers but maintained more were needed to staff new police training centers, air mentor teams, and medical trainers.[13]

In 2010, while NTM-A ensured the continued increase in the quantity of the ANSF, increasing the quality of training and the soldiers and police fielded was of particular concentration. In 2011, the priorities changed to building sustainability and professionalism into the ANSF while continuing to add overall numbers.[14] As part of this effort, NTM-A is embarking on a screening process for all ANSF personnel to ensure Taliban and criminal elements have not infiltrated the force. Comprehensive screening will augment other recruiting vetting processes that began in 2009.[15] Caldwell's efforts in Afghanistan received praise from figures in the military and government, including Senator Carl Levin, United States Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, and Admiral Mike Mullen.[16]

During this assignment Caldwell was investigated after a subordinate claimed Caldwell directed him to use psychological operations in order to influence U.S. political leaders to support the military effort in Afghanistan.[17] Doing so would be a violation of the Smith–Mundt Act. However, a thorough investigation lasting five months cleared LTG Caldwell of any wrongdoing.[18][19]

Dawood Military Hospital[]

Four US military officers testified that Caldwell had forced them to retract requests for a DOD investigation into sub-standard conditions at a US-funded Afghan Military Hospital in Kabul. Caldwell's reasoning, according to Colonel Mark Fassl, was that there was "an election coming." However, Kenneth Moorefield, Depury Inspector General for Special Plans and Operations, dismissed these allegations, claiming that there as no "attempt ... to delay our investigation ... or turn it off.[20]

The Department of Defense Office of Inspector General conducted an investigation into the allegations and determined that Lieutenant General Caldwell and his deputy Major General Gary S. Patton sought in 2011 to restrict contact with a team of investigators probing allegations of corruption and sub-standard patient care at Dawood National Military Hospital. The Inspector General recommended that the Secretary of the Army take appropriate action against Caldwell and his immediate subordinate, Major General Patton.[21]

US Army North (Fifth Army)[]

LTG Caldwell's final military command was United States Army North, or Fifth Army, which was also his father's final military assignment. Under LTG Caldwell's command, Army North successfully executed seven National Special Security Events, six Presidential support missions, and supported a major wild land fire-fighting effort. They also supported civil authorities in responding to two major hurricanes (Isaac & Sandy). During Hurricane Sandy, LTG Caldwell and Army North tracked and supervised the deployment of over 1,680 government personnel and civilian technicians, and also helped provide over 8 million gallons of fuel and enough electricity to support 55,000 families. LTG Caldwell and Army North also supported a number of regional certification exercises to include Ardent Sentry 12, Vibrant Response 13 and Vigilant Shield 13.

LTG Caldwell and Army North also continued an unprecedented engagement with Mexico. In Fiscal Year 2008, Army North undertook only 3 training programs with Mexico's Secretariat of National Defense (SEDENA). By 2012, however, Army North and SEDENA were participating in nearly 100 events.[22]

LTG Caldwell turned over command of U.S. Army North to LTG Perry L. Wiggins on September 4, 2013.[23]

Promotions[]

  • US-OF1B 2LT – 1976
  • US-OF1A 1LT – 1978
  • US-O3 insignia CPT – 1980
  • US-O4 insignia MAJ – 1986
  • US-O5 insignia LTC – 1992
  • US-O6 insignia COL – 1996
  • US-O7 insignia BG – 2001
  • US-O8 insignia MG – 2004
  • US-O9 insignia LTG – 2007

Decorations and badges (incomplete)[]

U.S. military decorations
Defense Distinguished Service ribbon Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Distinguished Service Medal ribbon
Distinguished Service Medal (with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster)
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
US Defense Superior Service Medal ribbon
Defense Superior Service Medal (with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters)
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Legion of Merit ribbon
Legion of Merit (with 1 Oak Leaf Clusters)
Transparent square
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze Star ribbon
Bronze Star (with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters)
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Defense Meritorious Service ribbon
Defense Meritorious Service Medal (with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster)
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Meritorious Service ribbon
Meritorious Service Medal (with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters)
Joint Service Commendation ribbon Joint Service Commendation Medal
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Army Commendation Medal ribbon
Army Commendation Medal (with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters)
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Army Achievement Medal ribbon
Army Achievement Medal (with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters)
U.S. unit awards
Presidential Unit Citation ribbon Presidential Unit Citation
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Joint Meritorious Unit Award ribbon
Joint Meritorious Unit Award (with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters)
Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon Army Meritorious Unit Commendation
Philippines Presidential Unit Citation Philippine Presidential Unit Citation
Army Superior Unit Award ribbon Army Superior Unit Award
U.S. service (campaign) medals and service and training ribbons
Bronze star
National Defense Service Medal ribbon
National Defense Service Medal (with Bronze Service Star)
Bronze star
AFEMRib
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (with Bronze Service Star)
Bronze star
Bronze star
Southwest Asia Service ribbon
Southwest Asia Service Medal (with 2 Bronze Service Stars)
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Afghanistan Campaign ribbon
Afghanistan Campaign Medal (with 3 Bronze Service Stars)
Bronze star
Bronze star
Iraq Campaign ribbon
Iraq Campaign Medal (with 2 Bronze Service Stars)
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary ribbon Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Armed Forces Service Medal ribbon Armed Forces Service Medal
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Humanitarian Service ribbon
Humanitarian Service Medal (with 4 Bronze Service Star)
Outstanding Volunteer Service ribbon Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
Army Service Ribbon Army Service Ribbon
Army Overseas Service Ribbon Army Overseas Service Ribbon (with award numeral 6)
Us kw-kwlib rib Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)
Us sa-kwlib rib Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)
Non-U.S. service medals and ribbons
NATO Meritorious Service Medal bar NATO Meritorious Service Medal
NATO Medal ISAF ribbon bar NATO Medal for Afghanistan
U.S. badges, patches and tabs
Combat Infantry Badge Combat Infantryman Badge
Expert Infantry Badge Expert Infantryman Badge
Combat Action Badge Combat Action Badge
Master parachutist badge Master Parachutist Badge
US - Presidential Service Badge Presidential Service Identification Badge
Office of the Secretary of Defense Identification Badge Office of the Secretary of Defense Identification Badge
Joint Chiefs of Staff seal Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge
Ranger Tab Ranger Tab
82 ABD SSI 82nd Airborne Division Patch

U.S. non-military decorations[]

  • Louisiana Cross of Merit
  • Louisiana Emergency Service Ribbon
  • Honorary Member of the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club
  • Veterans of Foreign Wars Commander-in-Chief Gold Medal and Citation of Merit Award
  • Honorary ROCK of the Year in 2008
  • US Department of State Meritorious Honor Award Medal

Foreign military decorations[]

  • Bronze German Army Proficiency Badge
  • EUPOL Afghanistan Gold Medal
  • Polish Armed Forces Gold Medal

Foreign badges, patches and tabs[]

  • German Bronze Parachutist Badge
  • Canadian Parachutist Badge
  • British Parachutist Badge
  • Irish Parachutist Badge

Publications[]

Articles[]

OpEds[]

Blogs[]

See also[]

Notes and references[]

  1. News article, Army Lt. Gen. Daniel P. Bolger Assumes NTM-A/CSTC-A Command, by Mass Communication Specialist First Class Chris Fahey, NATO Training Mission – Afghanistan, November 5, 2011
  2. Liz Fabian, Macon Telegraph, GMC Names Army Veteran as 21st President, February 26, 2013
  3. Army Times, Retiring 3-Star to Lead Military College, February 26, 2013
  4. 4.0 4.1 Casie, Vinall (July 22, 2003). "U.S. Army Maj. Gen. William B. Caldwell IV, Senior Military Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of Defense". DefendAmerica.mil. http://www.defendamerica.mil/profiles/jul2003/pr072203a.html. Retrieved 2007. 
  5. "SHAPE International School, Mons on www.isbi.com". Isbi.com. 2003-07-01. http://www.isbi.com/viewschool.asp?school=4791-SHAPE_American_High_School,_Mons. Retrieved September 25, 2013. 
  6. "Proiment alumni" (List). Hargrave Military Academy. Unknown. http://www.hargrave.edu/alumni/prominent.html. 
  7. Gilmore, Gerry (September 21, 2005). "82nd Airborne Division Becomes 'Waterborne' in New Orleans". American Forces Press Service. http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=17253. 
  8. United States Army Combined Arms Center and Fort Leavenworth. "Lieutenant General William B. Caldwell, IV" (Biography). United States Army. p. 1. http://usacac.army.mil/cac2/LTGCaldwellBiography.pdf. 
  9. Dreazen, Y. (2010). U.S. Says Afghan Forces Growing Faster Than Expected. National Journal. Retrieved February 19, 2011, from http://nationaljournal.com/nationalsecurity/u-s-says-afghan-forces-growing-faster-than-expected-20101024
  10. Riechmann, D. (2010). NATO Says 900 Trainers Needed for Afghan Forces. MSNBC.COM. Retrieved February 12, 2011, from http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40074763/ns/world_news-south_and_central_asia
  11. Partlow, J. (2010, November9). Milestone in Training Afghan Forces. The Washington Post, p. A-6.
  12. Caldwell, W. (2011). The Unnoticed Surge in Afghan Security. Chicago Tribune. Retrieved February 18, 2011, from http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-02-15/news/ct-oped-0215-afghan-20110215_1_afghans-transition-command-surge
  13. Riechmann, D. (2011). NATO: 740 More Trainers Still Needed for Afghan Forces. The Washington Post. Retrieved February 17, 2011, from http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/13/AR2011021300319.html
  14. Year in Review, pp. 6-7.
  15. Vanden-Brook, T. (2011). Afghan Forces Undergo Stricter Vetting by NATO Commanders. USA Today. Retrieved February 18, 2011, from http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/afghanistan/2011-02-18-afghansecurity18_ST_N.htm
  16. Congressional Testimony. (2011). Defense Authorization Request for Fiscal Year 2012 and the Future Years Defense Program. Retrieved February 19, 2011, from http://armed-services.senate.gov/Webcasts/2011/02%20February/02-17-11%20Webcast.htm
  17. MSNBC.com, Report: Army Targeted U.S. Senators With Psy-Ops, February 24, 2011
  18. Robert Burns, Associated Press, Army Times, Pentagon Clears 3-Star of Alleged Psyops Use, July 27, 2011
  19. Jim Garamone, American Forces Press Service, Report Clears Afghanistan Training Commander, July 28, 2011
  20. Margasak, Larry. (2012). "Generals deny trying to stop Afghan hospital probe ". Associated Pres. Retrieved February 25, 2013, from http://bigstory.ap.org/article/generals-deny-trying-stop-afghan-hospital-probe
  21. Capaccio, Tony (September 19, 2013). "Generals Seen Trying to Impede Afghan Hospital Probe". Bloomberg. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-09-24/u-s-generals-seen-trying-to-impede-afghan-hospital-probe.html. Retrieved September 25, 2013. 
  22. Caldwell, William. "ARMY Magazine 2012–2013 Green Book" (2013). http://www.editiondigital.net/publication?i=128725
  23. Michelle Tan, Army Times, Army North Welcomes New Commander, September 5, 2013

External links[]

All or a portion of this article consists of text from Wikipedia, and is therefore Creative Commons Licensed under GFDL.
The original article can be found at William B. Caldwell and the edit history here.

[[Category:Military personnel from Columbus, Georgia]

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