William R. Caldwell IV | |
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Caldwell in 2011
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Nickname(s) | "Bill" |
Born |
Columbus, Georgia, U.S. |
January 24, 1954
Allegiance | United States of America |
Service/branch | United States Army |
Years of service | 1976–2013 |
Rank | Lieutenant general |
Commands held | CSC, 1st Battalion, 505th PIR, 82nd Airborne Division B Company, 1st Battalion, 46th Infantry, 1st Armored Division 4th Battalion, 27th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division (Light) 1st Brigade, 10th Mountain Division (Light) 82nd Airborne Division U.S. Army Combined Arms Center and Fort Leavenworth, Kansas Commander, NATO Training Mission – Afghanistan and Commander, Combined Security Transition Command – Afghanistan United States Army North |
Battles/wars | |
Awards |
Defense Distinguished Service Medal Army Distinguished Service Medal Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit Bronze Star |
William R. "Bill" Caldwell, IV (born January 24, 1954) is a United States Army officer. Caldwell's military assignment is Commanding General of United States Army North, also known as the Fifth Army, a position that his father held from 1978 to 1980. In his role as the commander of U.S. Army North, Caldwell also served as the senior U.S. Army commander of Fort Sam Houston, which is part of Joint Base San Antonio in Texas.
Prior to his assignment at Fort Sam Houston, Caldwell served as the Commander of NATO Training Mission – Afghanistan, and simultaneously as the Commander of Combined Security Transition Command – Afghanistan. Other command assignments Caldwell held include the United States Army Combined Arms Center and the 82nd Airborne Division.
Originally from Columbus, Georgia, Caldwell's family moved frequently. His father, William B. Caldwell, III was a serving officer in the US Army, eventually retiring as the Commander of Fifth Army. During Caldwell's early childhood, his father was stationed at the United States Military Academy. Growing up there gave him a chance to interact with West Point cadets, who helped teach some youth sports teams, which deeply influenced him:
"I found that I just really had a great respect and admiration for the cadets at the academy. I thought, 'Boy, I'd love to do something like that one day.' Then with time, I thought I'd like to serve in the armed forces, and so that led me to apply for the military academy. "