thumb|222x222px|General George Joulwan and a Russian [[colonel general Alexander Lentsov visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina with Russian soldiers during his tenure as Supreme Allied Commander Europe.]]

George Alfred Joulwan (born 16 November 1939, Pottsville, Pennsylvania) is a retired United States Army general who served for 36 years. He finished his military career as the Commander-in-Chief of the United States European Command and NATO's Supreme Allied Commander (SACEUR) in 1997. When the United States sent forces into Bosnia in the 1990s, General Joulwan played the leading role in troop deployment, earning praise by President Clinton upon Joulwan's retirement.

As SACEUR, General Joulwan created a strategic policy for the United States military engagement in Africa, which was the first time in U.S. history that such a policy had been crafted.

West Point

George Joulwan earned his college degree at the United States Military Academy at West Point. At West Point, he played football and basketball, earning two varsity letters as a football lineman.

Vietnam

General Joulwan served from June 1966 to November 1967 and from June 1971 to January 1972 in Vietnam. He attended the Army War College, and served on the Staff and Faculty until 1979. He commanded the 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division (Mechanized), from June 1979 to September 1981, when he became Chief of Staff, 3rd Infantry Division.

White House

thumb|222x222px|Major George Joulwan (Seated, far left) while serving as special assistant to The [[White House Chief of Staff General Alexander Haig at Haig's office in the White House with Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, 8 August 1974|alt=]]

Joulwan served as special assistant to General Alexander Haig while still a Major within the U.S. Army, when Haig was serving as White House Chief of Staff from 4 May 1973 to 21 September 1974.

National leadership

He served in various functions at the Pentagon from 1982 until June 1986, when he became the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, United States Army Europe and U.S. Seventh Army, Germany.

In March 1988 he was given command of the 3rd Armored Division and in 1989 he became Commanding General, U.S. V Corps.

From November 1990 until October 1993 he was Commander in Chief of United States Southern Command.

International leadership

He served as the Supreme Allied Commander, Europe (SACEUR) from 1993 to 1997, when he was succeeded by General Wesley Clark. He retired from command after serving in NATO.

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|+Highlights of General George Joulwan's military assignments A public park in Pottsville, Pennsylvania was named in his honor.

Personal life

General Joulwan had a twin brother, James Joseph Joulwan, who died in 2013. General Joulwan is of Lebanese Maronite heritage. He is married and has eight grandchildren. George comes from a distinguished military family. His father fought with the US Navy in WWI, and his cousin fought with the US Army in WWII and was captured twice.

Awards and decorations

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|150px Combat Infantryman Badge

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|150px Expert Infantry Badge

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|100px Parachutist Badge

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|100px Ranger Tab

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|105px Presidential Service Badge

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|105px Army Staff Identification Badge

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|105px Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge

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|100px SACEUR Badge

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|70px 26th Infantry Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia

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|Defense Distinguished Service Medal (with two oak leaf clusters)

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|Army Distinguished Service Medal

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|Silver Star (with oak leaf cluster)

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|Legion of Merit (with oak leaf cluster)

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|Bronze Star (with valor device and two oak leaf clusters)

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|Meritorious Service Medal (with three oak leaf clusters)

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|Air Medal (with award numeral 14)

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|Joint Service Commendation Medal

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|Army Commendation Medal (with oak leaf cluster)

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|Valorous Unit Award

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|National Defense Service Medal

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|Vietnam Service Medal (with four bronze service star)

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|Army Service Ribbon

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|Overseas Service Ribbon (with award numeral 5)

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|Legion of Honor (Bolivia)

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|Military Order of the White Lion, Second Class (Czech Republic)

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|Gold Medal for Distinguished Service (El Salvador)

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|Légion d'Honneur, Officier (France)

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|Knight Commanders' Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (Germany)

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|Hesse Order of Merit (Germany)

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|Cross of Merit of the Armed Forces (Honduras)

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|Commander Cross with Star of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary

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|Grand Officer of the Order of Vasco Núñez de Balboa (Panama)

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|Commander Cross with Star of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland

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|Romanian Emblem of Honor

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|Honour of Merit (Venezuela)

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|Vietnam Gallantry Cross with three gold stars (Vietnam)

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|Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation (Vietnam)

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|Civil Actions Medal Unit Citation (Vietnam)

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|Vietnam Campaign Medal with "1960–"-device (Vietnam)

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References

  • Biography at United States Military Academy
  • George Joulwan historical news archives at The New York Times
  • Profile at Forbes
  • The General George Joulwan East Side Park in Pottsville, Pennsylvania
  • "The New NATO: Building Stability, Democracy, and Peace Through Cooperation" article by General Joulwan at the Center for Strategic Decision Research