Oct. 10, 2021
Statement on the passing of retired Army Gen. Ray Odierno, the 38th Chief of Staff of the Army:
Retired Army Gen. Ray Odierno served in the military for nearly four decades, including deployments to Europe and three tours in Iraq. His time in uniform culminated as the 38th Chief of Staff of the Army, but his legacy is seen throughout the Army today.
Gen. Odierno was at the center of many historical moments in our military’s history. Under his leadership as the commander of 4th Infantry Division, troops found and captured Saddam Hussein, and then as the commander of Multi-National Corps – Iraq, he led the surge that stopped Iraq's brutal insurgency and sectarian violence helping Iraqi troops take over their country's security. As the Chief of Staff of the Army, he oversaw the military’s involvement in the Ebola crisis, and began the integration of women into the Army's Ranger training program, while also setting in motion the way the Army would fight in future conflicts.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Milley, and successor to Gen. Odierno as the 39th Chief of Staff of the Army shared, “Today we are grieving with the family and friends of General Ray Odierno. He served our nation valiantly and with honor for decades. He will be missed but his legacy will live on through the generations he led.”
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