Paul LaCamera

General Paul Joseph LaCamera[1] (born September 4, 1963)[2] is a United States Army infantry officer and a former commander of XVIII Airborne Corps. He also took command of Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve from Lieutenant General Paul E. Funk II on September 13, 2018. In April 2019, LaCamera was nominated for appointment to general[3] and assignment as the next commander of United States Army Pacific.[4] His promotion was confirmed by the United States Senate on June 27, 2019.[5] He took over command of USARPAC on November 18, 2019.

Paul LaCamera
General Paul LaCamera in 2019
Born	(1963-09-04) September 4, 1963 Westwood, Massachusetts, U.S.
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Army
Years of service	1985–present
Rank	General
Commands held	United States Army Pacific Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve XVIII Airborne Corps 4th Infantry Division 75th Ranger Regiment 3rd Ranger Battalion 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment
Battles/wars	Invasion of Panama Operation Uphold Democracy War in Afghanistan Iraq War Operation Inherent Resolve
Awards	Silver Star Defense Superior Service Medal (3) Legion of Merit Bronze Star Medal (3) Meritorious Service Medal (6)

LaCamera was formerly commander of the 4th Infantry Division.[6] He is a native of Westwood, Massachusetts.

Military career

LaCamera was commissioned a second lieutenant upon graduation from the United States Military Academy in 1985.[7] He served as rifle platoon leader with C Company, 3d Battalion (Airborne), 504th Infantry, 82d Airborne Division. Later he served as Company commander, 4th Ranger Training Battalion, Ranger Training Brigade, Operations Officer, 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry, 2d Infantry Division and Executive Officer, 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment. From February 2001 to May 2003, he commanded the 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division (Light), which deployed as part of Operation Anaconda to Afghanistan. LaCamera then took command of the 3d Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Benning, Georgia.

LaCamera commanded the 75th Ranger Regiment from 2005 to 2007. Following this command, he became the Director of Operations, Joint Special Operations Command from 2007 to 2009. In 2009, he became the Assistant Commanding General, Joint Special Operations Command. From 2010 to 2012, LaCamera served as the Deputy Commanding General (Operations), 25th Infantry Division.[8] He later served as commanding general XVIII Airborne Corps and commander of Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve.[9]

Training and education

LaCamera earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Military Academy and a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College. His military education includes the Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the Army Command and General Staff College, the Army War College, the Naval War College, and the Senior Service College Fellowship Course.[6]

Awards and decorations

Combat Infantryman Badge with Star (denoting 2nd award)[6]

Expert Infantryman Badge

Ranger tab

Master Parachutist Badge with one bronze Combat Jump Device

Pathfinder Badge

Thailand Parachutist Badge

75th Ranger Regiment Shoulder Sleeve Insignia

75th Ranger Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia

13 Overseas Service Bars

Silver Star

Defense Superior Service Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters

Legion of Merit

Bronze Star Medal with "V" device and two oak leaf clusters

Meritorious Service Medal with silver oak leaf cluster

Joint Service Commendation Medal

Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters

Army Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster

Joint Meritorious Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters

Valorous Unit Award

National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star

Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with Arrowhead device and service star

Afghanistan Campaign Medal with three campaign stars

Iraq Campaign Medal with four campaign stars

Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal

Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

Korea Defense Service Medal

Humanitarian Service Medal

Army Service Ribbon

Army Overseas Service Ribbon

References

1. "Paul Joseph LaCamera". West Point Association of Graduates. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
3. "PN590 — Lt. Gen. Paul J. LaCamera — Army". U.S. Congress. 8 April 2019. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
4. "Milley Formally Nominated as Joint Chiefs Chairman". Association of the U.S. Army. 9 April 2019. Retrieved 10 April 2019.
5. "PN590 - 1 nominee for Army, 116th Congress (2019-2020)". www.congress.gov. 2019-06-27. Retrieved 2019-08-11.
6. "LaCamera takes command". Dvidshub.net. Retrieved 3 June 2013.
7. "Major General Paul J. LaCamera". U.S. Army Fort Bragg. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
8. "4th Infantry Division – CDR". Carson.army.mil. Archived from the original on 21 May 2013. Retrieved 3 June 2013.
9. "Milley Formally Nominated as Joint Chiefs Chairman". Association of the United States Army. 2019-04-09. Retrieved 2019-08-11.

Military offices
Preceded by James C. Nixon	Commander, 75th Ranger Regiment 2005–2007	Succeeded by Richard D. Clarke
Preceded by Joseph Anderson	Commander, 4th Infantry Division 2013–2015	Succeeded by Ryan F. Gonsalves
Preceded by Stephen J. Townsend	Commander, XVIII Airborne Corps 2018–2019	Succeeded by Michael Kurilla
Preceded by Paul E. Funk II	Commanding General, Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve 2018–2019	Succeeded by Robert P. White
Preceded by Robert Brooks Brown	Commanding General, United States Army Pacific 2019–present	Incumbent