DeLuca assumes command of USAES

By Ms Martha Yoshida (Leonard Wood)November 30, 2011

DeLuca assumes command of USAES
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Left to right: Brig. Gen. (P) Mark Yenter, Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood commanding general, Brig. Gen. Peter Deluca, U.S. Army Engineer School commandant, and Command Sgt. Maj. Terrence Murphy, USAES regimental command ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
DeLuca assumes command of USAES
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
DeLuca assumes command of USAES
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Brig. Gen. Peter "Duke" Deluca took command of the U.S. Army Engineer School during a ceremony held Nov. 22. He will also serve as the deputy commanding general concepts, doctrine and organizations. DeLuca expressed his sincere appreciation to be a... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. -- An assumption-of-command ceremony for the U.S. Army Engineer School took place Nov. 22, in the Engineer Regimental Room at the post museum.

Brig. Gen. Peter "Duke" DeLuca took command from Col. Fabian Mendoza, USAES assistant commandant. He will also serve as the deputy commanding general concepts, doctrine and organizations.

DeLuca expressed his sincere appreciation to be at Fort Leonard Wood among both new and old colleagues and friends.

"I don't really have the words to truly express how excited and overjoyed I am to have the opportunity to be the commandant of the Engineer School and the leader of the Engineer Regiment. It's a dream job for sure, and one that I really didn't think was going to be an opportunity that I would get to have in this lifetime. I entered the Army the day after I graduated college on active duty, this regiment has given me the most amazing life and opportunities, and I'm sure that this assignment will be no less exciting and remarkable and enjoyable," DeLuca said.

DeLuca addressed members of the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence team and offered his thoughts on teamwork.

"For my teammates here at the Maneuver Support Center, CBRN School, and MP School, I pledge to be a good partner to you. Being a team, forming a team and making teams excellent is the joy of being an Army officer--and being a good teammate is part of that," DeLuca said.

DeLuca concluded his remarks with a pledge to members of the Engineer School that he will do everything to make sure that Soldiers are ready and family members will be able to endure what will come.

Mendoza assumed command of USAES in July of this year. Prior to coming to Fort Leonard Wood, DeLuca was deployed to Afghanistan.

DeLuca was commissioned into the Army in 1982 as an engineer officer. He has held leadership positions at the company, battalion, brigade, and division levels.

He holds Bachelor of Science degrees in economics, mechanical engineering and a Master of Arts degree in international affairs.

His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Bronze Star Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with two oak clusters, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, Joint Service Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster, Army Achievement Medal, Combat Action Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, and Ranger Tab.

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Editor's note: Content input for this article was provided by Shatara Seymour and Nicole Black, Fort Leonard Wood Public Affairs Office.