Years of service 1954–1984 Rank Major general | Name Leo Brooks, | |
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Commands held Defense Personnel Support CenterArmy Troop Support Agency13th Corps Support CommandSacramento Army Depot Awards Army Distinguished Service MedalDefense Superior Service MedalLegion of MeritBronze StarMeritorious Service MedalJoint Service Commendation MedalArmy Commendation Medal Relations Brigadier General Leo A. Brooks, Jr. (son)General Vincent K. Brooks (son) | ||
Allegiance United States of America | ||
BG Leo A. Brooks & the 761st Tank Battalion
Leo A. Brooks Sr. (born August 9, 1932) is a retired major general of the United States Army who later became city manager of Philadelphia.
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Military career
Brooks was born in Alexandria, Virginia on August 9, 1932. He graduated from Virginia State University in 1954 and received his commission in the Army Quartermaster Corps as a Distinguished Graduate of the Reserve Officer Training Corps.
In his early assignments, Brooks served as a platoon leader with the 2nd Infantry Division in Alaska and commanded two companies. His also served in the office of the Army's Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, G-4, as a budget liaison to the United States Congress.
He served two tours of duty in Vietnam during the Vietnam War, one as an advisor to the Army of the Republic of Vietnam and one as a battalion commander. He received a master's degree in financial management from George Washington University, and his later assignments included command of the Sacramento Army Depot, 13th Corps Support Command, Army Troop Support Agency, and Defense Personnel Support Center. Brooks retired from the military in 1984. Since he retired before serving three years as a major general, he was retired as a brigadier general.
His military education includes the United States Army Command and General Staff College and the National War College.
Brooks's awards include: the Army Distinguished Service Medal; Defense Superior Service Medal; Legion of Merit; Bronze Star Medal; Meritorious Service Medal; Joint Service Commendation Medal; and Army Commendation Medal.
Later career
As Philadelphia's city manager he was involved in the 1985 raid and bombing of the communal headquarters of the black liberation organization MOVE. Brooks resigned from his position 10 days after the bombing; three years later, a Philadelphia grand jury cleared Brooks and others of all criminal liability.
Family
Brooks is the father of three children, including two sons who reached the ranks of general officers in the United States Army – General Vincent K. Brooks and Brigadier General (Retired) Leo A. Brooks Jr. His daughter Marquita K. Brooks is an attorney. In addition, his brother Francis was a longtime member of the Vermont House of Representatives who rose to the position of majority leader. After serving in the House, Francis Brooks served for several years as the Sergeant at Arms of the Vermont State House. In 2016, Francis Brooks was elected to the Vermont Senate.