George Joulwan

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

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. +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