Nickname(s) Bill Battles and wars Vietnam War Name Julius Gates | Battles/wars Vietnam War Years of service 1958-1991 | |
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Born June 14, 1941 (age 82)
North Carolina ( 1941-06-14 ) Allegiance United States of America Rank Sergeant Major of the Army Awards Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart | ||
Service/branch United States Army | ||
Julius William Gates was the eighth Sergeant Major of the Army. In July 1987, he was sworn in and he served until his term ended four years later in June 1991. He was born in North Carolina on June 14, 1941.
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Military career
Sergeant Major of the Army Gates entered the United States Army on August 12, 1958 and attended initial training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. He served three tours in Germany, two combat tours in Vietnam, and a tour in the Republic of Korea.
His stateside assignments include duty with the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, the United States Army Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia, the 1st Ranger Battalion at Fort Stewart, Georgia, the Virginia Military Institute of Lexington, Virginia and Fort Bliss, Texas. Sergeant Major Gates has served in numerous non commissioned officer leadership positions, including as first Commandant of the 24th Infantry Division NCO Academy at Fort Stewart, GA. Before being appointed as the SMA he served as Command Sergeant Major of the 2d Armored Division (Forward), the Command Sergeant Major of the 3d Infantry Division (Mechanized), Command Sergeant Major of the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy, and the Command Sergeant Major of U.S. Forces Korea.
Awards and decorations
2005 recipient of the Doughboy Award from the National Infantry Association.