Julius W. Gates

Julius William Gates was the eighth Sergeant Major of the Army. In July 1987, he was sworn in and he served until his term ended four years later in June 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 non commissioned officer leadership positions, including as first Commandant of the 24th Infantry Division NCO Academy at Fort Stewart, GA. 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 with V Device and (with three Oak Leaf Clusters), Purple Heart, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (with Oak Leaf Clusters), Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Army of Occupation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Master Parachutist Badge, and the Ranger Tab.

•   Army Distinguished Service Medal
•   Defense Superior Service Medal
•   Legion of Merit
•   Bronze Star with V Device (with three oak leaf clusters)
•   Purple Heart
•   Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf clusters
•   Army Commendation Ribbon with three oak leaf clusters
•   Army Achievement Medal
•   Good Conduct Medal
•   Army of Occupation Medal
•   National Defense Service Medal
•   Vietnam Service Medal
•   NCO Professional Education Ribbon
•   Army Service Ribbon
•   Overseas Service Ribbon
•   Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal

•   Combat Infantryman Badge

Gates is a 2005 recipient of the Doughboy Award from the National Infantry Association.^[1]

See also

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Government document "[1]".
The Sergeants Major of the Army, Daniel K. Elder, Center of Military History, United States Army Washington, D.C. 2003.