Richard M. Wells

Major General Richard Marshall Wells (November 28, 1929 – October 22, 2015) was an officer in the United States Army who was Director of Defense Mapping Agency from August 1981 to June 1983.

Education Major General Wells graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1951 and received an MS from Iowa State University in 1956. In 1964 he completed the Naval War College, simultaneously earning an MA in international affairs from George Washington University. He graduated from the National War College in 1969.

Career After one year in Korea, Major General Wells taught engineering at the U.S. Naval Academy for three years, served in the Office of the Chief of Engineers, and commanded the 84th Engineer Battalion (Construction) in the Republic of Vietnam.

In July 1983, after his tour as director of DMA, Wells became deputy chief of engineers in the Army’s Office of the Chief of Engineers, in Washington, DC. He retired from the Army in 1984.

Accolades Major General Wells was inducted into the NGA Hall of Fame in 2004. His other military decorations include the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, a bronze star medal in Korea, and two Air Medals in Vietnam.