Julius W. Gates

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Julius W. Gates
1941-
SMA Julius W. Gates
Nickname	Bill
Place of birth	North Carolina
Years of service	1958-1991
Rank	Sergeant Major of the Army
Battles/wars	Vietnam War
Awards	Legion of Merit Bronze Star Medal with V Device Purple Heart Combat Infantryman Badge

Julius William (Bill) Gates was the eighth Sergeant Major of the Army. He was sworn in on July 1, 1987 and served until his term ended in June of 1991. He was born in North Carolina on June 14, 1941.

Sergeant Major of the Army Gates entered the United States Army on August 12, 1958 and attended initial training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. He served three tours in Germany, two combat tours in Vietnam, and a tour in the Republic of Korea.

His stateside assignments include duty with the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, the United States Army Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia, the 1st Ranger Battalion at Fort Stewart, Georgia, the Virginia Military Institute of Lexington, Virginia and Fort Bliss, Texas. Sergeant Major Gates has served in numerous noncommissioned officer leadership positions. Before being appointed as the SMA he served as Command Sergeant Major of the 2d Armored Division (Forward), the Command Sergeant Major of the 3d Infantry Division (Mechanized), Command Sergeant Major of the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy, and the Command Sergeant Major of U.S. Forces Korea.

Sergeant Major Gates awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal with V Device and (with Oak Leaf Clusters), Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal (with Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Army of Occupation Medal, American Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Combat Infantryman Badge.