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Lieutenant General (Retired) Carmen J. Cavezza - Guest Speaker


LTG (Retired) Carmen Cavezza completed thirty-three years of service in the United States Army with extensive assignments in Asia. He served two years in Vietnam and commanded the U. S. Army Infantry Center and School at Fort Benning, Georgia. Upon completion of the Reserve Officers Training Corps curriculum and educational course of study at the Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant of Infantry and awarded a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science in 1961.

He holds a Master of Arts Degree in Government from the University of Miami, a Master of Science in International Affairs, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science from George Washington University. In June 1994, General Cavezza received an honorary Doctor of Military Science Degree from The Citadel. His military education includes the Infantry Basic and Advanced Officer Courses, the United States Marine Corps Command and Staff College, and the National War College.

During his career, General Cavezza served as a platoon leader and company commander, 82nd Airborne Division, platoon leader and company commander with the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Okinawa and Vietnam. He later returned to Vietnam for a second tour and served with the 25"' Infantry Division as a battalion S-3. He also commanded an infantry battalion in the 2nd Infantry Division in Korea and the 197"' Infantry Brigade (Separate) at Fort Benning. Subsequent to his command tour, he became the chief of staff of the U. S. Army Infantry Center and School.

General Cavezza completed his Army career, as Commanding General, I Corps at Fort Lewis, Washington. He has held a variety of important command and staff positions: Commander at Fort Benning, Georgia (1990-1991); Commanding General at Fort Ord, California; Assistant Division Commander, 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and Executive to the Secretary of the Army in Washington, DC.

His awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal (with two Oak Leaf Clusters), Silver Star (with Oak Leaf Cluster), the Legion of Merit (with Oak Leaf Cluster), the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal with V Device, and the Purple Heart. Lieutenant General Cavezza is authorized to wear the Combat Infantryman Badge, The Master Parachutist Badge, The Ranger Tab, and Army General Staff Identification Badge.

After his retirement from the military in October 1994, LTG (Retired) Cavezza served as the Executive Director of Columbus '96, a non-profit corporation established to support the 1996 Olympic Softball Venue in Columbus, Georgia, which subsequent to the Olympics converted to the Greater Columbus Sports and Events Council. In May 1997, he accepted the position of City Manager, Columbus Consolidated Government. In January 2005, LTG (Retired) Cavezza assumed the position as executive director of the Cunningham Center for Leadership Development at Columbus State University until December 2012. He currently serves as the Chairman and CEO of the National Infantry Foundation's Board of Directors for the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center. He is married to the former Joyce Mathews of Charleston, South Carolina, and they have one daughter, Peggy, who teaches at Ft. Benning, GA.