Years of service 1963–1997 | Name Thomas Montgomery Rank Lieutenant general | |
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Born January 23, 1941Indianapolis, Indiana ( 1941-01-23 ) Commands held US Military Representative to NATO Military CommitteeCommander, US Forces, SomaliaDeputy Commander, UN Forces, SomaliaCommander, Joint Task Force, SomaliaDirector of Management, Office of the Chief of Staff, US ArmyDeputy Director of Strategy, Plans and Policy, US ArmyAssistant Division Commander, 8th Infantry DivisionMainz Community Commander, US Army, EuropeDeputy Defense Advisor and Military Advisor to the US Ambassador to NATOCommander, 1st Brigade, 1st Armored Division, US Army EuropeInspector General, 21st Support Command, US Army EuropeCommander, 2nd Battalion, 34th Armor, 4th Infantry Division, Fort CarsonTroop Commander, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, VietnamStaff Officer, 23d Infantry Division, Vietnam Battles/wars Vietnam WarSomali Civil War:UNOSOM IUNITAFUNOSOM II Awards Defense Distinguished Service MedalSilver StarArmy Distinguished Service MedalBronze StarAir MedalMeritorious Service MedalArmy Commendation MedalUnited Nations MedalKnight Commander’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of GermanyHonor Cross in Silver of the German Armed Forces | ||
Lieutenant General Thomas M. Montgomery (born January 23, 1941 in Indianapolis, Indiana) is a retired US Army officer who served as the deputy commander of UNOSOM I, UNITAF, and UNOSOM II in the Somali Civil War. He once referred to Mogadishu as the "Temple of Doom".
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Early life and education
Thomas M. Montgomery was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on January 23, 1941 and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Slavic Languages and Literature from Indiana University in 1963, when he was also commissioned a second lieutenant of Armor. He holds a Master of Arts degree in Management from Central Michigan University. He is a member of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Seminar 21, attended the Center for Creative Leadership Program, and Harvard’s Program for Senior Managers in Government. His military education includes completion of the Armor School, United States Armed Forces Staff College, the Army War College, and the Capstone Course for joint flag officers.
Military career
Montgomery served two tours in Vietnam, first as a Troop Commander in the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment and second as a staff officer in the 23d Infantry Division (Americal), and at US Army Headquarters in Vietnam.
Montgomery held a number of key positions throughout his career, including:
He served concurrently as Commander of US Forces in Somalia and Deputy Commander of United Nations Forces in Somalia (UNOSOM II) from March 9, 1993 to March 28, 1994. He was also Commander of the Joint Task Force in Somalia during his final four months there.
Montgomery was the 20th officer to serve as United States Military Representative to the NATO Military Committee in Brussels, Belgium. As the USMILREP for three years, he was the permanent representative of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on NATO’s highest military body during a defining period of change and challenge for the North Atlantic Alliance in the wake of the Cold War.
Lieutenant General Thomas M. Montgomery retired from active duty on December 1, 1997 after 34 years of service.
Honors and awards
Montgomery received a number of awards and decorations, including: