Thomas M. Montgomery
| Thomas M. Montgomery | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born |
January 23, 1941 Indianapolis, Indiana |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America |
| Service/branch |
 United States Army |
| Years of service | 1963–1997 |
| Rank | Lieutenant General |
| Commands held |
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| Battles/wars | |
| Awards |
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Lieutenant General Thomas M. Montgomery is a retired US Army officer who served as the deputy commander of UNOSOM I, UNITAF, and UNOSOM II in the Somali Civil War.[1] He once referred to Mogadishu as the "Temple of Doom".[1]
Early life and education
Thomas M. Montgomery was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on January 23, 1941 and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Slavic Languages and Literature from Indiana University in 1963, when he was also commissioned a second lieutenant of Armor. He holds a Master of Arts degree in Management from Central Michigan University. He is a member of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Seminar 21, attended the Center for Creative Leadership Program, and Harvard’s Program for Senior Managers in Government. His military education includes completion of the Armor School, United States Armed Forces Staff College, the Army War College, and the Capstone Course for joint flag officers.
Military career
Montgomery served two tours in Vietnam, first as a Troop Commander in the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment and second as a staff officer in the 23d Infantry Division (Americal), and at US Army Headquarters in Vietnam.
Montgomery held a number of key positions throughout his career, including:
- Director of Management, Office of the Chief of Staff, US Army
- Deputy Director of Strategy, Plans and Policy, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans, US Army
- Assistant Division Commander (Support), 8th Infantry Division (Mechanized), and Mainz Community Commander, US Army, Europe
- Deputy Defense Advisor and Military Advisor to the US Ambassador (Permanent Representative) to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
- Commander, 1st Brigade, 1st Armored Division, US Army Europe
- Inspector General, 21st Support Command, US Army Europe
- Commander, 2d Battalion, 34th Armor, 4th Infantry Division (Mechanized), Fort Carson, Colorado
He served concurrently as Commander of US Forces in Somalia and Deputy Commander of United Nations Forces in Somalia (UNOSOM II) from March 9, 1993 to March 28, 1994. He was also Commander of the Joint Task Force in Somalia during his final four months there.
Montgomery was the 20th officer to serve as United States Military Representative to the NATO Military Committee in Brussels, Belgium. As the USMILREP for three years, he was the permanent representative of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on NATO’s highest military body during a defining period of change and challenge for the North Atlantic Alliance in the wake of the Cold War.
Lieutenant General Thomas M. Montgomery retired from active duty on December 1, 1997 after 34 years of service.
Honors and Awards
Montgomery received a number of awards and decorations, including:
- Defense Distinguished Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
- Silver Star
- Army Distinguished Service Medal
- Bronze Star with Combat "V" device and three oak leaf clusters for achievement
- Air Medal
- Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
- Army Commendation Medal
- United Nations Medal
- Knight Commander’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
- Honor Cross in Silver of the German Armed Forces