# Paul LaCamera

Paul Joseph LaCamera (born 4 September 1963) is a retired United States Army general who last served as the commander of United Nations Command, ROK/US Combined Forces Command and United States Forces Korea from 2021 to 2024. LaCamera most recently served as commanding general of United States Army Pacific from 2019 to 2021. He previously served as the commanding general of XVIII Airborne Corps. His other assignments include the commander of Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve and as the commanding general of the 4th Infantry Division.
He was nominated to replace General Robert Abrams as the next commander of United Nations Command, R.O.K.-U.S. Combined Forces Command, and U.S. Forces Korea, on 2 December 2020, however his nomination was returned to the president on 3 January 2021, without action. He was renominated on 27 April 2021.

## Military career

LaCamera was commissioned a second lieutenant upon graduation from the United States Military Academy in 1985. He served as rifle platoon leader with C Company, 3d Battalion (Airborne), 504th Infantry, 82nd Airborne Division. Later he served as Company commander, 4th Ranger Training Battalion, Ranger Training Brigade, Operations Officer, 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry, 2d Infantry Division and Executive Officer, 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment. From February 2001 to May 2003, he commanded the 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division (Light), which deployed as part of Operation Anaconda to Afghanistan during which he was awarded the Silver Star. LaCamera then took command of the 3d Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Benning, Georgia from June 2003 to May 2004. Lacamera graduated from College of Naval Warfare, Naval War College located at Newport, Rhode Island in June 2005 before taking command of the 75th Ranger Regiment from August 2005 to August 2007. Following this command, he became the Director of Operations, Joint Special Operations Command from 2007 to 2009. In 2009, he became the Assistant Commanding General, Joint Special Operations Command. From 2010 to 2012, LaCamera served as the Deputy Commanding General (Operations), 25th Infantry Division. He later served as commanding general XVIII Airborne Corps and commander of Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve.

## Family and personal life

LaCamera is a native of Westwood, Massachusetts.

## Training and education

LaCamera earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Military Academy and a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College. His military education includes the Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the Army Command and General Staff College, the Army War College, the Naval War College, and the Senior Service College Fellowship Course.

## Awards and decorations

* Combat Infantryman Badge with Star (denoting 2nd award)
* Expert Infantryman Badge
* Ranger tab
* Master Combat Parachutist Badge with one bronze jump star
* Pathfinder Badge
* United Nations Command Badge
* Royal Thai Army Parachutist Badge
* 75th Ranger Regiment Combat Service Identification Badge
* 75th Ranger Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia
* 18 Overseas Service Bars
* Defense Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
* Army Distinguished Service Medal with three bronze oak leaf clusters
* Silver Star
* Defense Superior Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
* Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster
* Bronze Star Medal with silver oak leaf cluster
* Meritorious Service Medal with silver oak leaf cluster
* Joint Service Commendation Medal
* Army Commendation Medal with four oak leaf clusters
* Army Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
* Joint Meritorious Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters
* Valorous Unit Award
* Meritorious Unit Commendation with oak leaf cluster
* National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star
* Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with Arrowhead device and service star
* Afghanistan Campaign Medal with five campaign stars
* Iraq Campaign Medal with five campaign stars
* Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal with two campaign stars
* Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal with Arrowhead device
* Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
* Korea Defense Service Medal
* Humanitarian Service Medal
* Army Service Ribbon
* Army Overseas Service Ribbon with bronze award numeral 7
* NATO Medal for service with ISAF