Viet Xuan Luong
Viet Xuan Luong | |
---|---|
Captain James Văn Thạch & General Viet X. Luong | |
Born |
1965 (age 50–51) Bien Hoa, South Vietnam |
Allegiance | United States of America |
Service/branch | United States Army |
Years of service | 1987- present |
Rank | Brigadier General |
Awards | Combat Infantryman Badge |
Viet Xuan Luong (Vietnamese: Lương Xuân Việt) is a Brigadier General in the United States Army.[1] Since 2015 he has served on the Army staff as director, joint and integration, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Force Development (G-8). He previously served as assistant division commander -- maneuver for the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, concurrent with assignment as commander, Train Advise Assist Command-South, Resolute Support Mission Joint Command, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Afghanistan.
Early life
He emigrated from South Vietnam with his family to the United States in 1975 as a political refugee. He began his military career upon graduating from the University of Southern California.[2]
Education
He earned a degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Southern California and a Master of Military Arts and Science.[3]
Assignments
His first assignment was with 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment at Fort Carson, Colorado, where he served as Rifle Platoon Leader, Anti-Tank Platoon Leader, Company Executive Officer, and Battalion Maintenance Officer.
In 1993, he was assigned to Fort Bragg, North Carolina and served in the 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, as the Battalion Assistant S-3 (Operations) and Commander of Alpha Company. While commanding Alpha Company, he deployed to Haiti in support of Operation Uphold Democracy as the Commander of the Theater Quick Reaction Force. Following his assignment at Fort Bragg, he was assigned to the Joint Readiness Training Center in Fort Polk, La., as an Observer Controller.
Following his assignment at JRTC, he attended the Command and General Staff College and then was assigned to the Southern European Task Force (SETAF). Luong served as SETAF G-3 Chief of Plans, and the Operations Officer and Executive Officer of 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 173d Airborne Brigade, in Vicenza, Italy. During his assignment at Southern European Task Force, Luong deployed to Kosovo and Bosnia-Herzegovina on several occasions as part of the NATO Strategic Response Force.[4]
Following this assignment, he was assigned to Joint Task Force North at Fort Bliss, Tx., where he served as a plans officer and Chief, Targeting and Exploitation Division in support of the Department of Homeland Defense. In 2005, he assumed command of the 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3d Brigade Combat Team, 82d Airborne Division. During this command, Luong deployed his battalion in September 2005 as the Division Ready Force 1, in support of Operation American Assist, the Hurricane Katrina Relief efforts in New Orleans, and Operation Iraqi Freedom 06-08, in support of the War on Terror.[5]
In February 2009, he assumed command of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team (Rakkasans), 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). In January 2010, 3rd BCT deployed to Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom 10-11. Following BCT command, Luong attended Stanford University as a National Security Fellow and subsequently served as the Deputy Director, Pakistan Afghanistan Coordination Cell, J5, The Joint Staff.[6]
In 2015, Luong was assigned as Director, Joint and Integration at the Office of the US Army Chief of Staff for Force Development, G-8. [7]
Decorations and awards
His personal and unit awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit and the Ranger Tab.
References
- ↑ "New one-star is U.S. military's first general born in Vietnam". Army Times. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
- ↑ "Fort Hood’s Luong to become first Vietnamese-American general". Statesman.com. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
- ↑ "DVIDS - News - First Team’s general makes history, pins star". DVIDS. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
- ↑ "Ft. Hood Colonel Becomes First Vietnamese-American promoted to General". Archived from the original on August 8, 2014. Retrieved April 30, 2015.
- ↑ "Col. is 1st Vietnamese-American BCT commander". Army Times. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
- ↑ "Colonel Cites Measurable, But Fragile, Afghan Progress : Army Family 101 & Brat Life 101 – Fort Campbell, KY". Armyfamily101.com. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
- ↑ "Deputy Chief of Staff, G-8 | Leadership". www.g8.army.mil. Retrieved 2015-11-09.
External links
- New one-star is U.S. military's first general born in Vietnam
- Task Force Rakkasan Commander Viet Luong briefed reporters and answered questions about current operations in Afghanistan - News Video
- Frightened Vietnamese Kid Who Became A US Army General - NPR Blog