WASHINGTON (Aug. 6, 2014) -- An American general was killed yesterday, in Kabul, Afghanistan, by an individual wearing a uniform of the Afghan National Security Forces.
Maj. Gen. Harold J. Greene, who has been the deputy commander of the Combined Security Transition Command since January, was shot and killed when the individual fired into a group of coalition and Afghan service members on a routine site visit to the Marshal Fahim National Defense University, home of the Afghan army's commissioned and non-commissioned officer academies.
"There are a number of casualties as a result of the shooting, perhaps up to 15, to include some Americans," said Pentagon Press Secretary Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby. "Many were seriously wounded. Others received only minor injuries. The assailant was killed."
Greene is survived by his wife, Dr. Susan Myers; daughter Amelia Greene; son, Army 1st Lt. Matthew Greene; and his daughter-in-law, Kasandra Greene. He will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery, Aug. 14.
Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Ray Odierno, said in a statement that the Army stands behind the families of the casualties.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with Maj. Gen. Harold J. Greene's family, and the families of our Soldiers who were injured today in the tragic events that took place in Afghanistan," Odierno's statement reads. "These Soldiers were professionals, committed to the mission. It is their service and sacrifice that define us as an Army.
"Our priority right now is to take care of the families, ensuring they have all the resources they need during this critical time.
"We remain committed to our mission in Afghanistan and will continue to work with our Afghan partners to ensure the safety and security of all coalition Soldiers and civilians," Odierno concluded.
According to Kirby, the investigation into the shooting is just beginning.
"The incident will be jointly investigated by Afghan and ISAF authorities," Kirby said. "That investigation is just now getting underway. We need to let it proceed before speculating about any specific circumstances."
Greene is the highest ranking U.S. military officer killed by foreign action since Lt. Gen. Timothy Joseph Maude was killed in the Sept. 11, 2001, attack on the Pentagon. Greene is the highest ranking officer to be killed in combat since 1970.
Greene previously served as the Deputy for Acquisition and Systems Management (Acquisition, Logistics and Technology), in Washington, D.C., from April 2012 to January 2014. He served with Program Executive Officer, Intelligence, Electronic Warfare and Sensors, at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, from May 2011 to April 2012.
Greene was the Deputy Commanding General United States Army Research, Development and Engineering Command/Senior Commander, Natick Soldier System Center, at Aberdeen Proving Ground, from May 2009 to May 2011.
Greene was commissioned through the Reserve Officer Training Corps, May 25, 1980. He was promoted to major general Sept. 2, 2012.
Greene's civilian education included a Bachelor of Science in Materials Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; a Master of Science in Industrial Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; a Master of Science in Materials Engineering from the University of Southern California; a Master of Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College, a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Southern California; and a Ph.D. in Materials Engineering from the University of Southern California.
His awards and decorations included the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit with three Oak Leaf Clusters, the Meritorious Service Medal with five Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Commendation Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Achievement Medal and the Army Staff Identification Badge.
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