2023 Hall of Fame Inductee
Northeastern University (1976)
Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Salvatore F. Cambria on January 11, 1954. He attended Northeastern University where he completed a Bachelor of Arts in biology. Cambria commissioned into the Army in 1976.
Cambria served in multiple assignments in the continental United States and overseas and commanded at all levels. Most notably he was the first Special Forces Officer to be selected to command two Theater Special Operations Commands.
He commanded the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Bragg before commanding both Special Operations Command South and Pacific between 2003 and 2009.
Cambria employed Special Operations troops in support of PLAN COLOMBIA aimed to combat Colombian drug cartels and insurgent groups. He also employed troops during Operation SECURE TOMORROW in Haiti. Under Cambria’s leadership in USSOCOM Pacific, a Special Operations Joint Task Force in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM-PHILLIPPIINES was employed to meet joint security cooperation initiatives. Cambria concluded his career as Director of Operations and Logistics for USAFRICOM where he planned and synchronized additional joint missions in Libya, Somalia, and numerous other African nations.
Cambria retired on September 1, 2012 after 36 years of service. His military awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Legion of Merit with one oak leaf cluster, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Joint Service Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Army achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award with one oak leaf cluster, Army Meritorious Unit Commendation, Army Superior Unit Award, Army Staff Identification Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Military Freefall Parachutist Badge, Ranger Tab, Special Forces Badge, and German and Thai Parachutist Badges.
In retirement, Cambria devotes his time to his family and supporting the Special Forces Charitable Trust, a 501(c)(3) charity with a goal of providing meaningful and sustainable support to the Green Berets and their Families.
Cambria was inducted into the Distinguished Member of the Special Forces Regiment (DMOR) Hall of Fame in 2022.
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 2023 Hall of Fame Inductees.
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