Walter L. Stewart Jr. (born 17 July 1944) is a retired

United States Army The United States Army (USA) is the primary Land warfare, land service branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is designated as the Army of the United States in the United States Constitution.Article II, section 2, clause 1 of th ...

officer. A veteran of the

Vietnam War The Vietnam War (1 November 1955 – 30 April 1975) was an armed conflict in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia fought between North Vietnam (Democratic Republic of Vietnam) and South Vietnam (Republic of Vietnam) and their allies. North Vietnam w ...

and

Operation Joint Endeavor The Implementation Force (IFOR) was a NATO-led multinational peace enforcement force in Bosnia and Herzegovina under a one-year mandate from 20 December 1995 to 20 December 1996 under the codename ''Operation Joint Endeavour''. Background In ...

, he attained the rank of major general as Director for Mobilization and Reserve Component Affairs at

United States European Command The United States European Command (EUCOM) is one of the eleven Unified Combatant Command, unified combatant commands of the United States military, headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany. Its area of focus covers and 51 countries and territori ...

from 1994 to 1996, the first National Guard major general mobilized for federal service since the

Berlin Crisis of 1961 The Berlin Crisis of 1961 () was the last major European political and military incident of the Cold War concerning the status of the German capital city, Berlin, and of History of Germany (1945–90), post–World War II Germany. The crisis cul ...

. Stewart commanded the 28th Infantry Division from 1996 to 1998, and his awards included the

Silver Star The Silver Star Medal (SSM) is the United States Armed Forces' third-highest military decoration for valor in combat. The Silver Star Medal is awarded primarily to members of the United States Armed Forces for gallantry in action against a ...

Defense Superior Service Medal The Defense Superior Service Medal (DSSM) is a military decoration of the United States Department of Defense, which is presented to United States Armed Forces service members who perform superior meritorious service in a position of significant ...

, and

Legion of Merit The Legion of Merit (LOM) is a Awards and decorations of the United States military, military award of the United States Armed Forces that is given for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievemen ...

. A native of

Camden, New Jersey Camden is a City (New Jersey), city in Camden County, New Jersey, Camden County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. It is part of the Delaware Valley metropolitan region. The city was incorporated on February 13, 1828.Snyder, John P''The Story of ...

, Stewart was raised and educated in Glassboro and received an associate's degree from

Temple University Temple University (Temple or TU) is a public university, public Commonwealth System of Higher Education, state-related research university in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. It was founded in 1884 by the Baptist ministe ...

. He enlisted in the army in 1966. He completed

Officer Candidate School An officer candidate school (OCS) is a military school which trains civilians and Enlisted rank, enlisted personnel in order for them to gain a Commission (document), commission as Commissioned officer, officers in the armed forces of a country. H ...

in 1967 and received his commission as a second lieutenant. He was qualified in

Aviation Aviation includes the activities surrounding mechanical flight and the aircraft industry. ''Aircraft'' include fixed-wing and rotary-wing types, morphable wings, wing-less lifting bodies, as well as lighter-than-air aircraft such as h ...

and

Infantry Infantry, or infantryman are a type of soldier who specialize in ground combat, typically fighting dismounted. Historically the term was used to describe foot soldiers, i.e. those who march and fight on foot. In modern usage, the term broadl ...

, and served in Aviation units in

South Vietnam South Vietnam, officially the Republic of Vietnam (RVN; , VNCH), was a country in Southeast Asia that existed from 1955 to 1975. It first garnered Diplomatic recognition, international recognition in 1949 as the State of Vietnam within the ...

during the

(July 1969 to August 1970). Stewart subsequently moved to

Bernville, Pennsylvania Bernville (Pennsylvania Dutch: ''Bannwill'') is a borough in Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 905 at the 2020 census. Bernville is bordered by Penn Township to the north, east, and south and by Jefferson Township ...

, where he owned and operated a tour and travel business. He joined the

Pennsylvania Army National Guard The Pennsylvania Army National Guard, abbreviated PAARNG, is part of the United States Army National Guard and is based in the U.S. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Together with the Pennsylvania Air National Guard, it is directed by the Pennsylv ...

in 1973, and he served in Aviation units including command at the battalion and brigade level. He was a 1981 graduate of the

United States Army Command and General Staff College The United States Army Command and General Staff College (CGSC or, obsolete, USACGSC) at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, is a graduate school for United States Army and sister service officers, interagency representatives, and international military ...

, and he completed his bachelor's degree at

Albright College Albright College is a private liberal arts college in Reading, Pennsylvania, United States. It was founded in 1856 and had an enrollment of 1,652 students as of fall 2023. History Albright College traces its founding to 1856 when "Union Sem ...

in 1990. From 1994 to 1996, Stewart served at the

from October 1994 to 1996, including support of

. He commanded the 28th Infantry Division from 1996 to 1998, and from 1998 to his 2000 retirement, he was deputy commander of Pennsylvania's State Area Readiness Command. After retiring, Stewart's activities included authoring a memoir of his Vietnam War service and election to the North Heidelberg Township Board of Supervisors.

Early life

Walter Lewis Stewart Jr. was born in

on 17 July 1944, the son of Walter L. Stewart Sr. and Esther (Heil) Stewart. He was raised and educated in Glassboro, and he graduated from Franklinville's

Delsea Regional High School Delsea Regional High School is a four-year comprehensive regional public high school that serves students in ninth through twelfth grade from Elk Township (feeding into Delsea from Aura Elementary School, which serves grades PreK-6) and Frank ...

in 1962. His family subsequently moved to

Quakertown, Pennsylvania Quakertown is a Borough (Pennsylvania), borough in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States. As of 2020, it had a population of 9,359. The borough is south of Allentown, Pennsylvania, Allentown and Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Bethlehem and nor ...

, and he attended

's Technical Institute, from which he received an

Associate of Arts An associate degree or associate's degree is an undergraduate degree awarded after a course of post-secondary study lasting two to three years. It is a level of academic qualification above a high school diploma and below a bachelor's degree ...

degree in mechanical engineering in 1966. In June 1966, Stewart enlisted in the

. After completing basic training at

Fort Dix Fort Dix, the common name for the Army Support Activity (ASA) located at Joint Base McGuire–Dix–Lakehurst, is a United States Army post. It is located south-southeast of Trenton, New Jersey. Fort Dix is under the jurisdiction of the Air Fo ...

, New Jersey, he was assigned to

Fort Monmouth Fort Monmouth is a former installation of the Department of the Army in Monmouth County, New Jersey and the site of a major upcoming Netflix film production campus, alongside a variety of other redevelopment. The site is surrounded by the commun ...

, New Jersey, where he was trained as a microwave radio operator. Stewart was subsequently selected for officer training and attended

Fort Benning Fort Benning (named Fort Moore from 2023–2025) is a United States Army post in the Columbus, Georgia area. Located on Georgia's border with Alabama, Fort Benning supports more than 120,000 active-duty military, family members, reserve compone ...

, Georgia. He went on to become qualified in both the

and

branches.

Start of career

From December 1967 to July 1969, Stewart served at

Fort Devens Fort Devens is a United States Army Reserve military installation in the towns of Ayer, Massachusetts, Ayer and Shirley, Massachusetts, Shirley, in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, Middlesex County and Harvard, Massachusetts, Harvard in Worcester ...

, Massachusetts, where his assignments included training officer (December 1967 to February 1968), maintenance officer (February to April 1968), assistant family housing officer (April to May 1968), and a second posting as maintenance officer (May 1968 to July 1969). He was promoted to

first lieutenant First lieutenant is a commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces; in some forces, it is an appointment. The rank of lieutenant has different meanings in different military formations, but in most forces it is sub-divided into a se ...

in December 1968. Stewart served in

during the

, and his postings included Section Commander, 121st Aviation Company (July to August 1969), Assistant Platoon Commander, 121st Aviation Company (August to October 1969), Platoon Commander, 121st Aviation Company (October to December 1969), Assistant Platoon Commander, 121st Aviation Company (December 1969 to February 1970), and Platoon Commander, 162nd Aviation Company (February to August 1970). After returning to the United States, he was posted to Fort Stewart, Georgia, where he served as executive officer of Company D, 2nd Aircraft Maintenance Battalion from August to December 1970. From December 1970 to January 1971, he was plans officer on the staff of

Third United States Army Third or 3rd may refer to: Numbers * 3rd, the ordinal form of the cardinal number 3 * , a fraction of one third * 1⁄60 of a ''second'', i.e., the third in a series of fractional parts in a sexagesimal number system Places * 3rd Street (di ...

's Aircraft Maintenance Brigade. He was the brigade's assistant plans officer from January to July 1971. From July 1971 to January 1972, he completed his regular army service as the brigade's assistant operation and training officer.

Continued career

From January 1972 to July 1973, Stewart was assigned to the

United States Army Reserve The United States Army Reserve (USAR) is a Military reserve force, reserve force of the United States Army. Together, the Army Reserve and the Army National Guard constitute the Army element of the reserve components of the United States Armed ...

Control Group. In his civilian career, he was a resident of

, where he became the owner and operator of a tour and travel company. In July 1973, he was promoted to

captain Captain is a title, an appellative for the commanding officer of a military unit; the supreme leader or highest rank officer of a navy ship, merchant ship, aeroplane, spacecraft, or other vessel; or the commander of a port, fire or police depa ...

and joined the

. His initial assignment was commander of Service Platoon, Troop N,

104th Cavalry Regiment The 104th Cavalry Regiment is a Regiment of the United States Army first established in 1921. Troop A, 1st Squadron is one of several Army National Guard and Active Regular Army Units with Colonial Roots, National Guard units with colonial roo ...

, 28th Infantry Division in

Lancaster Lancaster may refer to: Lands and titles *The County Palatine of Lancaster, a synonym for Lancashire *Duchy of Lancaster, one of only two British royal duchies *Duke of Lancaster *Earl of Lancaster *House of Lancaster, a British royal dynasty ...

. In April 1975 he was assigned as executive officer of Company A, 28th Aviation Battalion, 28th Infantry Division in

Harrisburg Harrisburg ( ; ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital city of the Commonwealth (U.S. state), U.S. commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat, seat of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, Dauphin County. With a population of 50, ...

. Stewart commanded Company A, 28th Aviation Battalion from October 1975 to November 1977, and he was promoted to

major Major most commonly refers to: * Major (rank), a military rank * Academic major, an academic discipline to which an undergraduate student formally commits * People named Major, including given names, surnames, nicknames * Major and minor in musi ...

in November 1977. From November November 1977 to May 1981 he served as the 28th Aviation Battalion's plans, operations and training officer (S-3). In 1981, he graduated from the

. He served as the battalion's executive officer from May 1981 to September 1982. From September 1982 to September 1984, Stewart served as the aviation training officer at the Pennsylvania National Guard's State Area Command, and he was promoted to lieutenant colonel in December 1982. From September 1984 to September 1986, Stewart commanded the 28th Aviation Battalion. He commanded the 28th Aviation Brigade from September 1986 to February 1991. In October 1986, he received promotion to

colonel Colonel ( ; abbreviated as Col., Col, or COL) is a senior military Officer (armed forces), officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations. In the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, a colon ...

. In 1990, he received his

Bachelor of Science A Bachelor of Science (BS, BSc, B.S., B.Sc., SB, or ScB; from the Latin ') is a bachelor's degree that is awarded for programs that generally last three to five years. The first university to admit a student to the degree of Bachelor of Scienc ...

degree in accounting from

Later career

In February 1991, Stewart was appointed as Pennsylvania's assistant adjutant general for army, and he was promoted to brigadier general in May 1991. From December 1993 to October 1994, he served as the 28th Infantry Division's assistant division commander for support. From October 1994 to October 1996, he was mobilized for federal active duty as director for mobilization and reserve component affairs at the United States European Command (EUCOM). He was promoted to major general in June 1995, and his assignment at EUCOM made him the first National Guard major general to be mobilized for federal service since the

. His mobilization included support

, the Implementation Force (IFOR) that enforced peace in

Bosnia and Herzegovina Bosnia and Herzegovina, sometimes known as Bosnia-Herzegovina and informally as Bosnia, is a country in Southeast Europe. Situated on the Balkans, Balkan Peninsula, it borders Serbia to the east, Montenegro to the southeast, and Croatia to th ...

following the end of the

Bosnian War The Bosnian War ( / Рат у Босни и Херцеговини) was an international armed conflict that took place in Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bosnia and Herzegovina between 1992 and 1995. Following several earlier violent incid ...

. From October 1996 to November 1998, Stewart commanded the 28th Infantry Division. From November 1998 until retiring in May 2000, he served as deputy commander of Pennsylvania's State Area Readiness Command, the same position held by Joseph F. Perugino, his successor as division commander. Following his military retirement, Stewart authored numerous magazine articles and newspaper editorials on military readiness and defense policy. In addition, he authored a book about his Vietnam War service, 2023's ''Jefferson's Angels: How ending the draft doomed the American Republic''. In 2005, he was a successful Republican candidate for the North Heidelberg Township Board of Supervisors. He also took part in veterans' activities, including speaking at events to honor veterans of

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

Awards

Federal awards

Stewart's federal awards and decorations included: *

* Distinguished Flying Cross with 1 bronze oak leaf cluster *

Bronze Star Medal The Bronze Star Medal (BSM) is a Awards and decorations of the United States Armed Forces, United States Armed Forces decoration awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces for either heroic achievement, heroic service, meritorious a ...

with 1 bronze oak leaf cluster *

Meritorious Service Medal A Meritorious Service Medal is an award presented to denote acts of meritorious service, and sometimes gallantry, that are worthy of recognition. Notable medals with similar names include: Singapore *Pingat Jasa Gemilang, or Meritorious Services Me ...

Air Medal The Air Medal (AM) is a military decoration of the United States Armed Forces. It was created in 1942 and is awarded for single acts of heroism or meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight. Criteria The Air Medal was establi ...

with numeral 31 *

Army Commendation Medal The Commendation Medal is a mid-level Awards and decorations of the United States Armed Forces, United States military decoration presented for sustained acts of heroism or meritorious service. Each branch of the United States Armed Forces issu ...

with 1 bronze oak leaf cluster *

Army Good Conduct Medal The Good Conduct Medal is one of the oldest military awards of the United States Armed Forces. The U.S. Navy's variant of the Good Conduct Medal was established in 1869, the Marine Corps version in 1896, the Coast Guard version in 1923, the Arm ...

Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal A Reserve Good Conduct Medal refers to any one of the five military conduct awards, four of which are currently issued and one of which was previously issued, by the United States Armed Forces to members of the Reserve and National Guard. The pr ...

National Defense Service Medal The National Defense Service Medal (NDSM) is a service award of the United States Armed Forces established by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1953. It was awarded to every member of the U.S. Armed Forces who served during any one of four s ...

with 1 bronze service star *

Vietnam Service Medal The Vietnam Service Medal was a military award of the United States Armed Forces established on 8 July 1965 by order of President Lyndon B. Johnson. The medal is awarded to recognize service during the Vietnam War by all members of the U.S. ...

Armed Forces Reserve Medal The Armed Forces Reserve Medal (AFRM) is a Awards and decorations of the United States Armed Forces, service medal of the United States Armed Forces that has existed since 1958. The medal recognizes service performed by members of the reserve com ...

Army Service Ribbon The Army Service Ribbon (ASR) is a military award of the United States Army that was established by the Secretary of the Army on 10 April 1981 as announced in Department of the Army General Order 15, dated 10 October 1990. The Navy, Marine Corps, ...

* Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon *

Vietnam Campaign Medal The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, also known as the Vietnam Campaign Medal (), is a South Vietnamese military campaign medal which was created in 1949 and awarded during the First Indochina War. During the Vietnam War (Second Indochina War ...

with 60 Device *

Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry The Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross also known as the Vietnamese Gallantry Cross or Vietnam Cross of Gallantry () is a military decoration of the former Government of South Vietnam (Republic of Vietnam). The medal was created on August 15, 1 ...

with 1 silver star * Master Army Aviator Badge *

Overseas Service Bar An Overseas Service Bar is an insignia worn by United States Army soldiers on the Army Service Uniform, and previously on the Army Green (Class A) and the Army Blue (Dress Blue) uniforms, that indicates the recipient has served six months overse ...

(2)

State awards

Among Stewart's state awards were: * Pennsylvania Service Ribbon *Pennsylvania 20 Year Medal *Pennsylvania MG Thomas. R. White Medal *Pennsylvania GEN Thomas. J. Stewart Medal

Dates of rank

Stewart's dates of rank included: * Major General,

Army National Guard The Army National Guard (ARNG) is an organized Militia (United States), militia force and a Reserve components of the United States Armed Forces, federal military reserve force of the United States Army. It is simultaneously part of two differen ...

, 22 June 1995 * Brigadier General, Army National Guard, 15 May 1991 *

Colonel Colonel ( ; abbreviated as Col., Col, or COL) is a senior military Officer (armed forces), officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations. In the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, a colon ...

, Army National Guard, 1 October 1986 * Lieutenant Colonel, Army National Guard, 3 December 1982 *

Major Major most commonly refers to: * Major (rank), a military rank * Academic major, an academic discipline to which an undergraduate student formally commits * People named Major, including given names, surnames, nicknames * Major and minor in musi ...

, Army National Guard, 22 February 1977 *

Captain Captain is a title, an appellative for the commanding officer of a military unit; the supreme leader or highest rank officer of a navy ship, merchant ship, aeroplane, spacecraft, or other vessel; or the commander of a port, fire or police depa ...

, Army National Guard, 14 July 1973 *

First Lieutenant First lieutenant is a commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces; in some forces, it is an appointment. The rank of lieutenant has different meanings in different military formations, but in most forces it is sub-divided into a se ...

Army of the United States The Army of the United States was one of the four major service components of the United States Army. Today, the Army consists of the Regular Army, the Army National Guard of the United States, the Army National Guard while in the service of the ...

, 4 December 1969 *First Lieutenant,

, 3 December 1969 *First Lieutenant,

, 4 December 1968 * Second Lieutenant, United States Army Reserve, 4 December 1967

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Stewart, Walter L. Jr. 1944 births Living people Delsea Regional High School alumni People from Glassboro, New Jersey People from Berks County, Pennsylvania Temple University alumni Albright College alumni United States Army Command and General Staff College alumni United States Army personnel of the Vietnam War National Guard (United States) generals Recipients of the Silver Star Recipients of the Defense Superior Service Medal Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United States) Recipients of the Legion of Merit Recipients of the Air Medal