Larry R . Ellis Larry Rudell Ellis ( born 1946 ) is a retired United States Army general , who served as the Commander of U . S . Army Forces Command from November 19 , 2001 until 2004 , following his assignment as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans of the Department of the Army . During his career , Ellis had assignments in the United States , Vietnam , Germany , South Korea , and Bosnia and Herzegovina . His command assignments include 1st Armored Division , Germany ; Multinational Division ( North ) , Bosnia and Herzegovina ; Assistant Division Commander , 2nd Infantry Division , South Korea ; Brigade Commander , 3rd Infantry Division , Germany ; Battalion Commander , 5th Infantry Division , Fort Polk , Louisiana ; Company Commander , 101st Airborne Division , Vietnam ; and 82d Airborne Division , Fort Bragg , North Carolina . Early life and education . Ellis was born in 1946 and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education from Morgan State University in 1969 , and a Master of Science degree in Physical education from Indiana University in 1975 . Career . Ellis staff assignments included Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans ; Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel , Headquarters , Department of the Army ; Assistant Chief of Staff , C3 / J3 / G3 , United Nations Command / Combined Forces Command / U . S . Forces Korea / Eighth U . S . Army , South Korea ; Deputy Director for Strategic Planning and Policy , Headquarters , U . S . Pacific Command , Hawaii ; Deputy Director , Military Personnel Management , Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel , Headquarters , Department of the Army ; Force Structure Analyst and Chief , Manpower and Force Structure Division , Program Analysis and Evaluation Directorate , Office of Chief of Staff , Headquarters , Department of the Army ; Staff Officer , Headquarter , U . S . Army Europe , Germany ; Staff and Faculty , U . S . Military Academy , West Point ; Battalion Staff Officer , 101st Airborne Division , Vietnam ; and Battalion Operations Officer , 82d Airborne Division , Fort Bragg , North Carolina . Awards and decorations . Ellis ' awards include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal , the Army Distinguished Service Medal , the Defense Superior Service Medal , the Legion of Merit with two Oak Leaf Clusters , the Bronze Star , the Meritorious Service Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters , the Air Medal , the Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster , the National Defense Service Medal with three stars , the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal , the Vietnam Service Medal with three stars , the Armed Forces Service Medal , the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry / Palm , the Korean Cheonsu Medal , the German Armed Forces Honor Cross ( Gold ) , the NATO Medal , the Combat Infantryman Badge , the Senior Parachutist Badge , the Office of Secretary of Defense Staff Identification Badge , the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge , and the Army General Staff Identification Badge . Personal life . Since his retirement from the U . S . Army , Ellis became President and CEO of DHB Industries , Inc . , a manufacturer of body armor , and has served on the boards of SRA International , the Armed Forces Benefit Association and UNITECH , and is an Associate of Burdeshaw Associates , Ltd . , a defense consulting firm . He has also received the Distinguished Alumni Service Award from Indiana University . He is married to the former Jean Williams of Baltimore , Maryland , and has two adult daughters , one of whom is also an army officer .