Dan K. McNeill

This article is about the American General. For Pennsylvania politician, see Daniel McNeill.
Dan Kelly McNeill

General Dan Kelly McNeill
Commander, International Security Assistance Force
Nickname(s) "Bomber"
Born (1946-07-23) July 23, 1946
Warsaw, North Carolina
Allegiance  United States of America
Service/branch United States Army
Years of service 1968-2008
Rank General
Commands held International Security Assistance Force
U.S. Army Forces Command
Combined Joint Task Force-180
XVIII Airborne Corps
82nd Airborne Division
Battles/wars Vietnam War
Invasion of Panama
Gulf war
War in Afghanistan
Awards Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Distinguished Service Medal (2)
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit (5)
Bronze Star (3)
Expert Infantryman Badge
Master Parachutist Badge (with Bronze Service Star)
US Army Aviator Badge
Special Forces Tab

Dan Kelly McNeill (born July 23, 1946) is a retired four-star general in the United States Army. He served as Commander, Coalition Forces, Afghanistan from 2002 to 2003 and as Commanding General, U.S. Army Forces Command (FORSCOM) from 2004 to 2007. He then served as Commander, International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan from February 1, 2007 to June 3, 2008.[1][2][3][4][5]

According to Eurasianet, McNeill opposed the local ceasefires and economic development programs that had been favored by the outgoing NATO commander, British General David Richards.[2] The attempted targeting of Taliban commander Abdul Ghafour, through aerial bombardment, on February 4, 2007, was seen as a sign of the policy changes McNeill wanted to introduce.

Officials in several European countries have quietly expressed concern about placing an American general in charge of the NATO force. Richards tried to create a less harsh, more economic-development-oriented identity for NATO in Afghanistan, as compared to the "kicking-down-doors" image that US forces have. Many local analysts expect NATO forces to embrace a more aggressive stance under McNeill, who is believed to oppose the type of local peace arrangements that Richards promoted. The danger at this point is that an overly aggressive NATO force in Afghanistan could alienate Afghans, and thus cause the Taliban’s support base to grow.[2]

McNeill was featured in the Academy award-winning documentary Taxi to the Dark Side (2007).[6] The film captured McNeil refusing to admit 'any blunt force trauma' that caused Dilawar's death, despite the fact that the certificate of death had already stated 'Homicide'.

Awards and decorations

His awards and decorations included the[7]

Defense Distinguished Service Medal

Army Distinguished Service Medal (with one bronze oak leaf cluster)
Defense Superior Service Medal

Legion of Merit (with four bronze oak leaf clusters)

Bronze Star (with two bronze oak leaf clusters)

Meritorious Service Medal (with three oak leaf clusters)

Army Commendation Medal (with two oak leaf clusters)
Army Achievement Medal
Expert Infantryman Badge
US Parachutist Badge with combat jump star
US Army Aviator Badge
Special Forces Tab

References

Military offices
Preceded by
Position established
Commander, Combined Joint Task Force 180
2002-2003
Succeeded by
David Barno (as Commander CFC-A)
Preceded by
David Richards
Commander, International Security Assistance Force
February 2007-June 2008
Succeeded by
David D. McKiernan
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