Julius W. Gates

Template:Short description Template:Template other Julius William Gates (born June 14, 1941) is a retired United States Army soldier who served as the eighth Sergeant Major of the Army. He was sworn in at the Pentagon in July 1987 and served until his term ended four years later in June 1991.

Early life

Gates was born in North Carolina on June 14, 1941 and raised on a farm northwest of Carrboro, North Carolina.

Military career

Gates entered the United States Army at the height of the Cold War on August 12, 1958, and attended initial training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. First assignment was to the U.S. Army Berlin Brigade in the divided city in 1959. Later as a member of the 101st Airborne Division, he and his unit were called on by President John F. Kennedy to enforce racial integration at southern universities. Earning his qualification as a paratrooper and an Army Ranger, he went on to serve as the First Sergeant of Company A of the then newly activated 1st Ranger Battalion. He served three tours in Germany and a tour of duty in the Republic of Korea.

Gates' 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. Gates served in numerous noncommissioned officer leadership positions, including as first Commandant of the 24th Infantry Division NCO Academy at Fort Stewart, Georgia. Before being appointed as the Sergeant Major of the Army he served as command sergeant major of the 2d Armored Division (Forward), the 3d Infantry Division (Mechanized), the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy, and of United States Forces, Korea.

Awards and decorations

File:Combat Infantry Badge.svg Combat Infantryman Badge

File:Ranger Tab.svg Ranger tab

File:US Army Airborne master parachutist badge.gif Master Parachutist Badge

File:US Army Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge-Generic.png Expert Marksman Badge with one weapon clasp

Template:Ribbon devices/alt	Army Distinguished Service Medal
Template:Ribbon devices/alt	Defense Superior Service Medal
Template:Ribbon devices/alt	Legion of Merit
V Bronze oak leaf cluster Bronze oak leaf cluster Bronze oak leaf cluster Template:Ribbon devices/alt	Bronze Star Medal with Valor device and three oak leaf clusters
Template:Ribbon devices/alt	Purple Heart
Template:Ribbon devices/alt	Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Bronze oak leaf cluster Bronze oak leaf cluster Bronze oak leaf cluster Template:Ribbon devices/alt	Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Template:Ribbon devices/alt	Air Medal
Bronze oak leaf cluster Bronze oak leaf cluster Bronze oak leaf cluster Template:Ribbon devices/alt	Army Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Template:Ribbon devices/alt	Army Achievement Medal
Template:Ribbon devices/alt	Presidential Unit Citation
Template:Ribbon devices/alt	Good Conduct Medal with 5 silver loops
Template:Ribbon devices/alt	Army of Occupation Medal
Bronze star Template:Ribbon devices/alt	National Defense Service Medal with bronze service star
Bronze star Template:Ribbon devices/alt	Vietnam Service Medal with service star
File:NCO Professional Development Ribbon.svgFile:Award numeral 5.png	NCO Professional Development with award numeral 5
Template:Ribbon devices/alt	Army Service Ribbon
Template:Ribbon devices/altFile:Award numeral 5.png	Overseas Service Ribbon with award numeral 5
File:Gallantry Cross Unit Citation.png	Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation
Template:Ribbon devices/alt	Vietnam Campaign Medal

• 10 Service stripes.

2005 recipient of the Doughboy Award from the National Infantry Association.