Leon J. LaPorte
General, U.S. Army

Leon J. LaPorte was born on 5 May 1946 in Providence, RI. He graduated from the University of Rhode Island in 1968. As a member of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps program at URI, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army as an Armor Officer in 1968.

From 1969-70 he served with the 3rd Infantry Division; in 1971 he transferred to the 238th Aerial Weapons Company in the Republic of Vietnam. In 1977 he received his Master's Degree in Administration from the University of California, Irvine. From 1977-80 he was an Assistant Professor at the U.S. Military Academy. In October 1990, as the Chief of Staff, 1st Cavalry Division, he deployed as part of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

From February 2003 until February 2006, he was Commander of U.S. Forces Korea and United Nations Forces, Korea. LaPorte played a major part in an investigation of the involvement of U.S. military personnel in hiring prostitutes and facilitating human trafficking in South Korea.

Despite a reputation as an insensitive and abrasive commander, LaPorte was the official who gave an apology to the families of the two Korean junior high-school girls that were run over by a U.S. armored vehicle in 2002.

In February 2006, General LaPorte retired from the Army after 38 years of service, handing command to General Burwell B. Bell III.

Medals, Awards, Badges & Tabs

Army Distinguished Service Medal
Legion of Merit with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Distinguished Flying Cross
Bronze Star Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with 3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Air Medal with Valor Device and Award Numeral 9
Army Commendation Medal with Valor Device
Army Achievement Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal with 3 Bronze Stars
Southwest Asia Service Medal with 3 Bronze Stars
Army Service Medal
Army Overseas Service Medal with Numeral 2
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)
Army Meritorious Unit Commendation
Vietnamese Gallantry Cross Unit Citation
Army Aviator Badge
Parachutist Badge
Ranger Tab