Alfred A. Valenzuela is a retired United States Army major general who commanded United States Army South (USARSO) at Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico and San Antonio, Texas. He also served as Deputy Commanding General (DCINC) of U.S. Southern Command.

Valenzuela was deployed as part of 3rd Infantry Division to Kuwait on operations in 1997.

Awards and decorations

His decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Army Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (with three Oak Leaf Clusters), Soldier's Medal for Heroism, Bronze Star with "V" device, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (with two Oak Leaf Clusters), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal and the Joint Meritorious Unit Award (3rd award).

  • 60px  Defense Distinguished Service Medal
  • 60px  Army Distinguished Service Medal
  • 60px  Defense Superior Service Medal
  • 60px  Legion of Merit with three oak leaf clusters
  • 60px  Soldier's Medal for Heroism.
  • 60px  Bronze Star with Valor Device for Valor in combat.
  • 60px  Defense Meritorious Service Medal
  • 60px  Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
  • 60px  Joint Service Commendation Medal
  • 60px  Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
  • 60px  Joint Service Achievement Medal
  • 60px  Army Achievement Medal
  • 60px  Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
  • 60px  Humanitarian Service Medal
  • 60px  Joint Meritorious Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters

Served in Haiti, Colombia, Korea, Peru, Turkey, Germany, Kuwait, Grenada, Puerto Rico, Panama, El Salvador, Somalia & numerous Joint & InterAgency assignments.

served in 6 Infantry Divisions & 3 Combat Corps

Civilian career

He is a Senior Consultant for the Center of Terrorism Law at St. Mary's University School of Law.

He wrote the book No Greater Love: The Lives & Times of Hispanic Soldiers with Jason Lemons.

Major contributor to the book entitled " Right Before Our Eyes: Latinos Past, Present & Future"

He is the Senior Military Advisor to the Warrior Defense Project, part of the St. Mary's Law School

He wrote: The Essence and Variation of Soldiers in Politics: A Dimensional Typology of Latin American Leadership and Regimes

He is an Advisor to the Military Health Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center

Recently appointed by the Texas Supreme Court to the Texas Access Judicial Commission: co-chair of Veterans committee

Personal life

Valenzuela is married to Esther Valenzuela and they have two children. Lori Valenzuela is a Justice of the 4th Court of Appeals. Served as Criminal District Court Judge for 10 years & was the co founder of the Veterans Felony Treatment Court. Alfred II is a Senior Program manager in the Edicational arena.

Other Awards

  • Eagle Scout
  • Hall of Fame: Thomas Jefferson High School
  • Distinguished Alumni & Distinguished Board of Trustee Emeriti St. Mary's University
  • Hall of Fame of the Boy's & Girls Club of America
  • Named "One of the Most 100 Influential Hispanics" by Hispanic Business Magazine.

Philanthropy and civic engagement

Appointed by the US President, He is currently serving as a commissioner for The World War One Centennial Commission.

He is serving as the Co-Chair of the Military Advisory Council of America 250. They are the military arm of the U.S. Semiquincentennial Congressional Commission.

Has an Educational Foundation that gives scholarships to Soldiers children that he buried from the Iraq/Afghanistan wars.

See also

References

Recently named to the Military Advisory Council to America 250, for the Presidential Semi Quintennial Commission

  • Command Run US Southern Command, June 2000
  • News Release, May 2000
  • Command Run US Southern Command, April 2001
  • Valenzuela interview, Hispanic Magazine, April 2000