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Lt. Gen. James L. Terry

By AMY TURNERJuly 8, 2021

2021 Hall of Fame Inductee

North Georgia College (1978)

(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Lt. Gen. James L. Terry was born in Chatsworth, Georgia May 14, 1957. He is a graduate from North Georgia College where he commissioned Infantry in 1978.

Terry has commanded at multiple levels across the Army culminating as commanding general of United States Army Central. He has served in a wide variety of assignments as a company grade officer including rifle platoon leader, company executive officer, and anti-tank platoon leader while stationed with the 1st-15th Infantry, 3rd Infantry Division in Kitzingen, Federal Republic of Germany. He also served as the logistics officer and later operations officer for 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

Subsequently, he was assigned to be the Assistant Professor of Military Science and the Assistant Commandant of Cadets at North Georgia College in Dahlonega, Georgia. Later, he was assigned as the battalion executive officer for the United Nations Command Security Force Battalion, the Joint Security Area, in Panmunjom, Korea. After his return to the United States, he served as deputy operation and brigade executive officer with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell, executive officer to the Inspector General of the Army, chief of initiatives and deputy commander of the Joint Warfighting Center, U.S. Joint Forces Command in Norfolk, Virginia, and operations officer for the Coalition Forces Land Component Command, Army Central Command, at Camp Doha in Kuwait.

On Aug. 3, 2011, the Department of Defense announced the nomination of Terry to the rank of lieutenant general and for command of V Corps, U.S. Army Europe and 7th Army. Terry continued to command V Corps while also serving as commander of IJC, and as deputy commander of United States Forces Afghanistan.

In 2015, Terry retired from active duty service with 37 years of service. During his time in the Army, Terry earned many awards including the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit with three four leaf clusters, Bronze Star Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, and Army Achievement Medal, the Ranger Tab, Expert Infantryman Badge, Combat Action Badge, Parachutist Badge and Air Assault Badge.

About the Army ROTC Hall of Fame

The ROTC Hall of Fame was established in 2016 as part of the ROTC Centennial celebration. The first class (2016) inducted 326 former ROTC Cadets who had distinguished themselves in their military or civilian career.

The Hall of Fame honors graduates of the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps who have distinguished themselves in military or civilian pursuits. It provides a prestigious and tangible means of recognizing and honoring Army ROTC Alumni who have made lasting, significant contributions to the Nation, the Army and the history and traditions of the Army ROTC Program.

Read more about the 2021 Hall of Fame Inductees.