2022 Hall of Fame Inductee
University of North Georgia (1961)
Col. (Ret.) Gerald Lord was born in Georgia on October 18, 1953. He would grow up and attend North Georgia College, now known as the University of North Georgia, where he completed the Army ROTC program.
The 1961 graduate, earned his bachelor’s degree and received his commission into the United States Army as an infantry officer. Lord would later become an aviation officer and served in multiple combat tours to Vietnam. He would hold many positions in his career to include Commander U.S. Army Garrison Fort McPherson and Professor of Military Science at the University of North Georgia. As the professor of military science, Lord helped hundreds of students to receive commissions as second lieutenants. Six of those students would go on to become one through four star generals.
He retired as a Soldier in 1991, having earned several awards to include the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Legion of Merit, two awards of the Bronze Star, the Air Medal with 19 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star and Bronze Star, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Master Army Aviator Badge, Parachutist Badge, Ranger Tab, and numerous other awards and decorations.
Retirement wasn’t the end of Lord’s dedication to the nation and his community. He returned to the University of North Georgia as the Associate Vice President for Business and Finance and the Director of Auxiliary Services. While serving as the Associate Vice President, Lord was also called to service to serve as the interim Commandant of Cadets at the University of North Georgia. His service to Lumpkin County and the state of Georgia ranged from Mayor Pro Tem of Dahlonega, GA, Councilman for the City of Dahlonega, member of the Board of Trustees of Chestatee Regional Hospital, member of the Board of Directors for the Greater Atlanta Chapter of the Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA), member of the Military Affairs Task Force for the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, Scout Master and member of the Northeast Georgia Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of America, and President of the United States Air Force Academy Georgia Parent’s Club.
Lord has also won several awards and accolades for his civilian career. He was the University of North Georgia Distinguished Alumni in 2004, a Gold Steeple Awardee in 2008, culminating in his induction into the University of North Georgia Hall of Fame in 2011.
He was also inducted in the 2015 Class of the Georgia Military Veterans’ Hall of Fame for selfless service to his Country, both in time of war and peace.
Lord is married to the former Kay Norton and they have one son, LTC Jonathan Lord, a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy and Army aviation officer in the Georgia Army National Guard.
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 2022 Hall of Fame Inductees.
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