Maxwell R. Thurman
| Maxwell R. Thurman | |
|---|---|
General Maxwell Reid Thurman
|
|
| Nickname(s) | "Mad Max" "Maxatollah" |
| Born |
February 18, 1931 High Point, North Carolina |
| Died | December 1, 1995 (aged 64) Walter Reed Army Medical Center |
| Buried at | Arlington National Cemetery |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Army
|
| Years of service | 1953–1991 |
| Rank |
 General
|
| Commands held | Training and Doctrine Command Southern Command Recruiting Command |
| Battles/wars |
Cold War *1958 Lebanon crisis *Vietnam War Invasion of Panama |
| Awards |
Legion of Merit Bronze Star with "V" device Defense Distinguished Service Medal |
| Relations | Lieutenant General John R. Thurman III (brother) |
Maxwell Reid Thurman (February 18, 1931 – December 1, 1995) was a U.S. Army general, Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army, and former commander of United States Army Training and Doctrine Command.
Thurman attended North Carolina State University, graduating with a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering (ceramics). While in college he was a member of the Professional Engineering Fraternity Theta Tau. He was commissioned a second lieutenant of Ordnance from NCSU's ROTC program in 1953 and branch transferred to Field Artillery. His first assignment was with the 11th Airborne Division, and in 1958 his Honest John Rocket platoon was deployed to Lebanon.
From 1961-63 he served in Vietnam as an Intelligence Officer for I Vietnamese Corps. Following his service in Vietnam, Thurman became one of the few non-Academy graduates ever assigned as a company tactical officer at the United States Military Academy. In 1966 he attended the Command and General Staff College, then returned to Vietnam in 1967, where he assumed command of the 2d Howitzer Battalion, 35th Artillery Regiment in 1968.
After completing the U.S. Army War College in 1970, Thurman held numerous troop and staff assignments before assuming command of U.S. Army Recruiting Command in 1979, where he initiated the highly successful "BE ALL YOU CAN BE" recruiting campaign. From 1981-83 he was Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army, Personnel (DCSPER) and from 1983-87 he was the Vice Chief of Staff of the Army (VCSA).
In 1989 Thurman applied for retirement while serving as Commanding General, United States Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC). Instead, he was handpicked by President George H. Bush to be Commander-in-Chief, United States Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM). In this position, he planned and executed Operation Just Cause, the 1989 invasion of Panama.
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