Larry J . Dodgen “ ” Lieutenant General Larry J . Dodgen ( June 12 , 1949 – February 20 , 2010 ) was Commander , U . S . Army Space and Missile Defense Command . Biography . Born in New Orleans , Louisiana , on June 12 , 1949 , died February , 20 , 2010 , General Dodgen graduated from Louisiana State University in 1972 with a Bachelors Degree in Chemical Engineering . He also holds two Master Degrees : an MBA in Public Administration from the University of Missouri and a Masters Degree in National Security and Strategy from the United States Naval War College . His military education includes the Air Defense Officer Basic and Advanced Courses , the United States Army Command and General Staff College , and the United States Naval War College . Dodgen began his military career as a section leader and later platoon leader in the 1st Battalion , 68th Air Defense Artillery , 1st Cavalry Division , Fort Hood , Texas . In 1975 , he was assigned as a Firing Platoon Leader , 2d Battalion , 71st Air Defense Artillery , Eighth United States Army in Korea . While stationed in Korea , he became the Aide - de - Camp to the Commanding General , 38th Air Defense Artillery , Eighth United States Army . After returning to the United States in 1976 , he served as Aide - de - Camp to the Assistant Commandant , United States Army Air Defense Artillery School , Fort Bliss , Texas . In 1977 , he graduated from the Air Defense Artillery Officer Advanced Course at the United States Army Air Defense School in Fort Bliss , Texas . From 1977 to 1979 , he commanded Battery C , 1st Battalion , 7th Air Defense Artillery , Fort Bliss , Texas . In 1981 and 1982 , General Dodgen commanded Battery A , and served as the Assistant S - 3 ( Operations ) , 3d Battalion , 61st Air Defense Artillery , 3d Armored Division in Germany . In 1983 , he graduated from the United States Army Command and General Staff College , Fort Leavenworth , Kansas . In 1984 , he was assigned to the United States Army Chemical School , Fort McClellan , Alabama , as an NBC Analyst and later became Chief of the Studies Branch . In 1987 , he became the Executive Officer , 6th Battalion , 43d Air Defense Artillery , in Germany . And from June 1989 to December 1991 , he commanded 8th Battalion , 43d Air Defense Artillery , and led his battalion into combat in Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Storm . In 1993 , he graduated from the United States Naval War College , Newport , Rhode Island , and returned to Germany , where he became the Commander , 69th Air Defense Artillery Brigade . While stationed in Germany , he also became the Chief of the CINC ' s Initiatives Group , Office of the Command - in - Chief , United States Army Europe . After assuming the rank of brigadier general in 1996 , he became the sixth Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Policy and Missions . From May 1998 to September 2001 , he was the Deputy Director , Joint Theater Air and Missile Defense Organization ( JTAMDO ) . He served as the Commanding General of the U . S . Army Aviation and Missile Command from 10 September 2001 to 16 December 2003 He assumed Command of the U . S . Army Space and Strategic Command on 16 December 2003 and was promoted to lieutenant general . Awards and decorations . His awards and decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster , Legion of Merit ( two Oak Leaf Clusters ) , Meritorious Service Medal ( 4 Oak Leaf Clusters ) , Army Commendation Medal , and the Army Achievement Medal .