William A. Roosma

William A. Roosma (April 18, 1935 – April 29, 2011) was a career officer in the United States Army. A veteran of the Vietnam War and Operation Just Cause, he attained the rank of major general and his command assignments included: Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Training Brigade; the Military Science Department at Culver Military Academy; 4th Battalion, 10th Infantry Regiment; the 193rd Infantry Brigade, the Jungle Operations Training Center at Fort Sherman, Panama; 2nd Infantry Brigade, 25th Infantry Division; the Armed Forces Inaugural Committee that coordinated U.S. military participation in the Second inauguration of Ronald Reagan; and acting commander of XVIII Airborne Corps.

A 1958 graduate of the United States Military Academy (West Point), Roosma's additional civilian education included a master's degree in public relations and a master's degree in public administration, both from Auburn University at Montgomery. His military education included graduation from the Armed Forces Staff College and Air War College. His awards included the Army Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, five awards of the Legion of Merit, two awards of the Bronze Star Medal, four awards of the Meritorious Service Medal, two awards of the Air Medal, and three awards of the Army Commendation Medal.

Early life

William Arnoux Roosma was born on Governors Island, New York on April 18, 1935, a son of army officer John Roosma and Marjorie (Henion) Roosma. The Roosma family was residing at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii when Japan's Attack on Pearl Harbor took place in December 1941, and the six-year-old Roosma was a witness to the event.

Roosma was raised at military posts in the United States and overseas, attended The Hill School, and was a 1953 graduate of Heidelberg High School. He was also a member of the German language and weightlifting clubs, chapel choir, and debate council.

Start of career

After receiving his commission, Roosma completed the Infantry Officer Basic Course at Fort Benning, Georgia. This was followed by completion of Ranger School at Fort Benning, then Fort Benning's Airborne Course. While attending his initial training, Roosma's classmates included Colin Powell, with whom he maintained a lifelong friendship. After returning from West Germany, Roosma was assigned as an instructor at the Ranger School. He completed the Infantry Officer Advanced Course in 1964, after which he was assigned to Fort Ord, California as commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Training Brigade. From 1966 to 1967, Roosma performed Vietnam War duty with the 196th Light Infantry Brigade, first as the brigade's assistant operations officer (Assistant S-3), and later as operations officer (S-3) of the brigade's 3rd Battalion. He was promoted to major in December 1966.

Continued career Roosma receives his brigadier general's stars from Army Secretary John O. Marsh Jr. in 1984 After returning from Vietnam, Roosma was assigned as head of the Military Science Department at Indiana's Culver Military Academy. Roosma then completed the program of instruction at the Armed Forces Staff College. He was next assigned to the staff of the Chief of Staff of the United States Army, and he was promoted to lieutenant colonel in 1973. He also completed his Master of Arts degree in Public Relations and Master of Science degree in Public Administration, both at Auburn University at Montgomery. He was subsequently assigned as inspector general of III Armored Corps at Fort Hood, Texas, followed by his 1980 selection to command 2nd Infantry Brigade, 25th Infantry Division at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. In 1982, Roosma was assigned as executive officer in the Office of the Secretary of the Army.

Later career

In January 1984, Roosma was promoted to brigadier general. In 1984 and 1985, he served as director of the Armed Forces Inaugural Committee that coordinated U.S. military activity that took place during the Second inauguration of Ronald Reagan. In 1985 and 1986, Roosma served as assistant division commander of the 7th Infantry Division.

After promotion to major general in 1986, Roosma was assigned as deputy commander of the XVIII Airborne Corps. In this assignment, Roosma commanded troops via an Airborne Command and Control Communications Platform during Operation Just Cause. In addition, he acted as commander of the corps in 1990 during the U.S. deployment of troops to the Middle East for Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. He retired in June 1991. Among his post-military pursuits was consulting work for corporations including McDonnell Douglas and Boeing.

Combat Infantryman Badge Expert Infantryman Badge Parachutist Badge Ranger tab Army Staff Identification Badge

Family In 1962, Roosma married Sandra Youmans of Estill, South Carolina. They were the parents of two children, Tracey and Kelsey. In addition, Roosma had a fraternal twin, Garret, who was also a member of the West Point class of 1958. Garret Roosma served in the U.S. Army and Army Reserve, and retired as a colonel.