Commander Of NY State National Guard Retires

Commander of state National Guard retires

http://www.nynewsday.com/news/local/...gion-apnewyork

November 5, 2005, 9:55 PM EST

NEW WINDSOR, N.Y. -- The commander of the state's National Guard retired Saturday after 36 years in uniform, saying, "I don't want to leave. But it's time."

Maj. Gen. Thomas Maguire Jr., 58, commanded 20,000 members of the state's Army and Air National Guard, Naval Militia and New York Guard.

Speaking at a ceremony at Stewart Air National Guard Base, Maguire praised the guard members for their willingness to leave home when duty called in Iraq and on the Gulf Coast after hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

"You are heroes. You are heroines," Maguire said.

The 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center came just a month after Gov. George Pataki appointed Maguire state adjutant general.

William Howard, Pataki's chief of staff, said it was fitting the retirement took place at Stewart, where Maguire was commander from January 1994 to August 2001.

Maguire, who lives in nearby Walden, said he might pursue work as a military consultant in Washington D.C.

BRIGADIER GENERAL FREDRIC DAVID SHEPPARD
Acting The Adjutant General of New York

http://www.dmna.state.ny.us/tag_bio.html

Brigadier General Fredric Sheppard is Acting The Adjutant General of the New York State Division of Military & Naval Affairs and Commander of the New York State Organized Militia Forces. He is also the Commanding General of the 53rd Troop Command, New York Army National Guard. General Sheppard is the Senior Military Advisor to the Governor and is responsible for approximately 23,000 civilian and military personnel, associated military aircraft and equipment, and daily operations of the Division.

General Sheppard began his military career in 1970 by attending U.S. Army Basic Training at Fort Polk, Louisiana and subsequently graduating from U.S. Army Helicopter Pilot Flight School, Fort Rucker, Alabama in 1971. After receiving his U.S. Army pilot wings, General Sheppard reported to the Central Highlands of South Vietnam at the age of 19 and served as a combat helicopter pilot where he flew 841 combat flying hours during his one year tour of duty flying combat assaults, search and rescue, re-supply and reconnaissance missions.

In addition to serving as a military fixed-wing and helicopter instructor pilot during his New York National Guard career, General Sheppard served as Commander of an Army Aviation Support Facility, Director of Army Aviation and Safety, and Chief of Staff of the New York National Guard. He has served as a Task Force Leader and aircrew member on numerous military support to civil authorities missions such as the 1979 New York State Corrections Officers' strike, the 1980 Lake Placid Winter Olympics Games, and numerous hurricane, search and rescue, and forest fire emergency response missions. General Sheppard also coordinated the New York National Guard emergency response to civil authorities during the September 11, 2001 World Trade Center attacks, and served as the "Dual Hat" Commander of the military Joint Task Force for the 2004 Republican National Convention in New York City.

General Sheppard is a native New Yorker - born in Utica and raised in the Capital District area. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of the State of New York in Albany in 1988, Certificate from Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government - State and Local Programs in February 2002, and is a graduate of the U.S. Army War College, Carlisle Barracks with a Masters Degree in Strategic Studies. General Sheppard is a licensed fixed-wing and rotary-wing Commercial Pilot, a Foundation Board Member of Empire State College, an Executive Board Member of the Boy Scouts of America Twin Rivers Council, and an Executive Member of the New York State Governor's Counter-Terrorism Task Force and Homeland Security Council.

His military decorations and awards include the Bronze Star for Valor, the Bronze Star for Meritorious Service, an Air Medal for Valor, Fifteen Air Medals for Combat Missions, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Bronze Star, the Army Aviation Broken Wing Award, and the New York State Governor's Medal for Valor.

General Sheppard and his wife, Vicki, have a daughter Stefanie, a 2005 graduate of Fordham University in New York City.

(Current as of 1 Nov 2005)

The reason I posted this was because of two things... is this someone we should look into, and who was the previous Acting The Adjutant General, and why was he removed, and replaced with Brigadeer General Frederick David Sheppard?