Lt. Gen. Walter Piatt

By AMY TURNEROctober 4, 2022

2022 Hall of Fame Inductee

Lock Haven University (1987)

(Photo Credit: LTC John Acosta) VIEW ORIGINAL

Lt. Gen. Walter E. Piatt was born on September 12, 1961, in Homestead, Pennsylvania.

He graduated from Somerset Area High School and enlisted into the Army in 1979. He was in the infantry for four years before returning to school at Lock Haven University. There, he earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology and joined the Army ROTC program. He graduated and commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Army in 1987.

Piatt served in numerous positions all over the world to include tours in Korea, Panama, Hawaii, Alaska and Germany. He completed several operational deployments to include Suriname, Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan, and Iraq, and published two books from his experience in Afghanistan.

Piatt served as the Commanding General for the 10th Mountain Division and Fort Drum from 2017 – 2019. In March of 2018 the Division deployed to Iraq and assumed duties as the Coalition Joint Force Land Component Command (CJFLCC) where Piatt led the transition of the CJFLCC to the Iraqi Security Forces.

His other assignments as a general officer include serving as the 52nd Chief of Infantry; Deputy Commanding General-Support, 10th Mountain Division; Commander, Joint Multinational Training Command; Deputy Commanding General, United States Army Europe; and director of Operations/director, Rapid Equipment Fielding, Army Rapid Capabilities Office.

He currently serves as the Director of the Army Staff. His awards and accolades include Army Distinguished Service Medal (with 2 oak leaf clusters), Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit and a Bronze Star.

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.