# James D. Thurman

James David Thurman (born 19 September 1953) is a retired United States Army general who served as the Commander of United Nations Command, R.O.K.-U.S. Combined Forces Command, and United States Forces Korea from 14 July 2011 until 2 October 2013. He previously served as the 18th Commanding General, United States Army Forces Command from 3 June 2010 to 8 July 2011 and as Deputy Chief of Staff, G-3/5/7. He was the former commanding general of United States V Corps in Heidelberg, Germany from 19 January 2007 to 8 August 2007.

## Early life and education

Thurman's family was from Marietta, Oklahoma, and he was born in nearby Gainesville, Texas, on September 19, 1953. He was raised in Marietta and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from East Central University. Thurman received a Regular Army Commission from the United States Army as a second lieutenant in 1975. His civilian education also includes a Master of Arts degree in management from Webster University.

## Career

Thurman began his career in the 4th Infantry Division, serving as Platoon Leader, Executive Officer, and Motor Officer for 6th Battalion, 32d Armor. He has commanded at all levels from company to division. After attending the Officer Rotary Wing Aviator Course, he commanded the Aero-Scout Platoon and later became the Operations Officer, A Troop, 1st Squadron, 17th Cavalry, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
From 1981 to 1982, Thurman attended the Armor Officer Advanced Course, United States Army Armor School, Fort Knox, Kentucky. Upon completion, he attended the AH-64 Aviator Qualification Course, United States Army Aviation Center of Excellence at Fort Rucker, Alabama, and then as Executive Officer, 3rd Squadron, 6th Cavalry Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas.
During 1989 to 1991, Thurman served as Executive Officer of the 1st Battalion, 32d Armor, 1st Cavalry Division and Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Saudi Arabia.
Thurman's previous assignments also include Commander of 2nd Squadron, 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment; 3d Squadron, 4th Cavalry, 3rd Infantry Division (Mechanized), United States Army Europe and Seventh Army, Germany; Commander, 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division (Mechanized), Fort Stewart, Georgia; Commander, Operations Group, United States Army National Training Center, Fort Irwin, California; Assistant to the Chief of Staff for Plans and Policy, Allied Forces Southern Europe, Regional Command South, Italy; Commanding General, Fort Irwin National Training Center, Fort Irwin, California; Director of Training, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-3, United States Army; and Chief, Operations, Coalition Forces Land Component Command, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Camp Doha, Kuwait.
Thurman left Kuwait to become the director, Army Aviation Task Force, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-3, United States Army in Washington, D.C., where he remained until his arrival at Fort Hood as the 4th Infantry commanding general.
On 2 October 2006, Thurman was nominated for promotion by President George W. Bush for appointment to the rank of lieutenant general. His receipt of promotion and his third star was 19 January 2007. On 19 December 2006, Thurman took over assignment in Heidelberg, Germany as the commanding general of V Corps along with the United States Army Europe and Seventh Army. His retirement ceremony was held at Fort Hood, Texas, on 22 November 2013.

## Awards and decorations

* Defense Distinguished Service Medal
* Distinguished Service Medal with four bronze oak leaf clusters
* Defense Superior Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
* Legion of Merit with three oak leaf clusters
* Bronze Star Medal with oak leaf cluster
* Meritorious Service Medal with silver oak leaf cluster
* Army Commendation Medal
* Army Achievement Medal with three oak leaf cluster
* Joint Meritorious Unit Award with one bronze oak leaf cluster
* Valorous Unit Award
* Superior Unit Award
* National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star
* Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
* Southwest Asia Service Medal with two bronze service stars
* Kosovo Campaign Medal with one bronze service star
* Iraq Campaign Medal
* Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
* Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
* Korea Defense Service Medal
* Army Service Ribbon
* Army Overseas Service Ribbon (with bronze award numeral 5)
* NATO Medal for the former Yugoslavia with one service star
* Order of National Security Merit, Tong-il Medal (Republic of Korea)
* Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)
* Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)
* Combat Action Badge
* Senior Aviator Badge
* Basic Parachutist Badge
* Army Staff Identification Badge
* Joint Staff Identification Badge
* 4th Infantry Division CSIB
* 4th Cavalry Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia
* 4 Overseas Service Bars