EWU Military Science Hall of Fame

EWU Military Science Hall of Fame: Lieutenant General Gary Volesky

10/14/202408/04/2019 by jstafford3

Lieutenant General Gary J. Volesky

Commanding General

I Corps Joint Base Lewis-McChord

EWU ROTC Class of 1983

Silver Star

Lieutenant General (LTG) Volesky is from Spokane, Washington and is a Distinguished Military Graduate of Eastern Washington University (EWU). His education includes a Bachelor of Arts Degree from EWU (1983), a Master’s Degree in Strategic Studies from the Air War College, and a Master’s Degree in Near Eastern Studies from Princeton University. He is a graduate of the Infantry Officer Basic and Captain’s Career Courses, the Arabic Studies program at the Defense Language Institute, the Army’s Command and General Staff College, and the Air War College, Basic Course and Ranger School in 1984. LTG Volesky was assigned to 4th Battalion, 54th Infantry (Mechanized) at Fort Knox, Kentucky, where he served as a mechanized rifle platoon leader and scout platoon leader. In 1986, LTG Volesky was transferred to Fort Lewis, Washington where he served in 2^nd Battalion, 75^th Ranger Regiment as a rifle platoon leader, support platoon leader, and Assistant S4. LTG Volesky then served as the S1 in 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry (Motorized).

The then Cadet Gary Volesky (left) is commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1983 by EWU Army ROTC Professor of Military Science Lieutenant Colonel Ronald Walter.

Following attendance at the Infantry Captain’s Course, LTG Volesky commanded D Company, 5th Battalion, 8th Infantry Division (Mechanized) in Mainz, Germany. He assumed command of the Long Range Surveillance Unit for 3d Armored Division during Operations DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM. LTG Volesky then served as the Ranger Regiment Planner for V Corps in Frankfurt, Germany.

After completion of Command and General Staff College, LTG Volesky returned to the Ranger Regiment and served as the Liaison Officer and Battalion Operations Officer for 3d Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Benning, Georgia. In 1999 LTG Volesky was assigned to the Ranger Regiment as the Senior Liaison Officer, LTG Volesky then served as the Chief of Infantry Doctrine at the United States Infantry School.

In June of 2002, LTG Volesky assumed command of 2d Battalion, 5th Calvary Regiment, 1 Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas. He deployed the battalion during OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM II, and conducted combat operations and stability operations in Sadr City, Iraq from March 2004 to March 2005. His unit’s deployment to Iraq became the subject of a National Geographic Channel mini-series.

After completion of the Air War College, LTG Volesky returned to Fort Hood, Texas and deployed to Iraq with III Corps and served as the Corps Deputy Chief of Staff. LTG Volesky commanded the 3d Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Calvary Division in March 2008. He deployed the Brigade and conducted combined full spectrum operations with Iraqi Security Forces in Mosul and other areas within the Ninewa province of Iraq, from December 2008 to December 2009.

LTG Volesky was the Deputy Commanding General (Maneuver), 1st Cavalry General Division, Fort Hood, Texas, 1st Cavalry Division/Combined Joint Task Force-1, OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM, Spring of 2011 to June of 2014.

LTG Volesky assumed command of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell on June 20, 2014. This command included a humanitarian assistance deployment to Liberia in support of OPERATION UNITED ASSISTANCE, and a deployment to Iraq in support of OPERATION INHERENT RESOLVE. LTG Volesky in 2016 took command of I Corps at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

Maj. Gen. Gary Volesky, commander of Joint Forces Command – United Assistance and the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), delivers remarks during the 101st’s color casing ceremony held at the Barclay Training Center Monrovia, Liberia, Feb. 26, 2015. (Photo Credit: Spc. Rashene Mincy).

LTG Volesky’s awards and decorations include: The Distinguished Service medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Bronse Star (4OLC), Purple Heart, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (1OLC), Army Commendation Medal (4OLC), Army Achievement Medal (1OLC), NDSM (1 bronze star), Southwest Asia Service Medal (3 bs), Afghan Campaign Medal (2 bs), Iraq Campaign Medal (3 bs), Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal, GWOT Expeditionary Medal, GWOT Service Medal, The Army Service Ribbon, and the Overseas Service Ribbon (6^th Award).

You can see the rest of the members of our EWU Military Science Hall of Fame at the below link:

EWU Military Science Hall of Fame

EWU Military Science Hall of Fame: Major General Scott G. West

10/14/202408/04/2019 by jstafford3

Major General Scott G. West

U.S. Army Retired

EWU ROTC Class of 1976

48th Quartermaster General of the Army

A native of Moses Lake, Washington, Major General Scott G. West was commissioned in the United States Army in June of 1976 following graduation from Eastern Washington University (EWU) with a Bachelor’s Degree in History. His military education includes the Quartermaster Officer Basic and Advance Courses, Army Command and General Staff College, and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. His civilian education includes graduate degrees in Logistics Management from Florida Institute of Technology, and in National Resource Management from the National Defense University.

Major General West as a Cadet at Eastern Washington University.

Major General West has held key leadership and staff positions in numerous units, including 1st Infantry Division (Mechanized), 2d Infantry Division, 2d Armored Cavalry Regiment, 1st Corps Support Command, 6th Infantry Division (Light) and 7th Infantry Division (Light). He served as the Division Parachute officer, 407th Supply and Transport Battalion (Golden Griffins), 82d Airborne Division during Operation Just Cause, and as the Executive Officer of the Golden Griffins during Operation, Desert Storm. Other assignments include Chief, Office of the Quartermaster General, Fort Lee, Virginia; Chief, Sustainment Division, Director for Logistics, Joint Chiefs of Staff, J4, the Pentagon, Washington DC; and Executive Officer to the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-4, United States Army. He served as the Commanding General of the United States Army Quartermaster Center and School and was the 48^th Quartermaster General of the Army from May 2003 to August 2005.

Major General West became the Commanding General of the 21st Theater Support Command of the United States Army Europe and Seventh Army in August of 2005. Following that assignment, he assumed command of the U.S. Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command on 22 April 2008. MG West retired from the United States Army in January 2010.

Major General Scott West addresses a crowd at a groundbreaking ceremony in Warren, Michigan.

Major General West held several command positions including the 706th Main Support Battalion, 6th Infantry Division, Fort Wainwright, Alaska, the 46th Corps Support Group (Airborne) at Fort Bragg, and the Joint Logistics Command in Joint Task Force Aguila during humanitarian assistance operations in Central America following Hurricane Mitch in 1998-99.

His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, Legion of Merit, Defense Superior Service Medal, Parachute Rigger, Pathfinder and Master Parachutist Badges.

You can see the rest of the members of our EWU Military Science Hall of Fame at the below link:

EWU Military Science Hall of Fame

EWU Military Science Hall of Fame: Major General Kenneth L. Privratsky

08/03/2019 by jstafford3

Major General Kenneth L. Privratsky

U.S. Army Retired

EWU Class of 1969

DLA Hall of Fame 2018

Major General Kenneth L. Privratsky received his Regular Army commission in the Transportation Corps from ROTC at Eastern Washington State College (EWSC) on December 11, 1969. His initial assignments were as an Infantry Officer and included tours as a company executive officer in the l-508th Infantry, and Commander, HHC, 3rd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division. He served as a Rifle Platoon Leader and S3 Air in l-502nd Infantry, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile), in the Republic of Vietnam.

Assignments following his return in 1972 included Plans Officer, Directorate of Inland Traffic, Eastern Area Military Traffic Management Command in Brooklyn, and Assistant Professor of English, United States Military Academy. In 1982 he was assigned to the 193rd Infantry Brigade (Separate) in Panama where he served as Secretary General Staff; Executive Officer, 193rd Combat Support Battalion; and Commander, 193rd Logistics Battalion.

In 1986, MG Privratsky moved to Fort Hood, Texas and served as Chief, Plans Division, 13th COSCOM and Commander, 48th Forward Support Battalion, 2nd Armored Division. In 1990 he was reassigned to the National Training Center, Fort Irwin as the Senior Forward Support Battalion Trainer and then in 1992 to Alaska, where he served as Director of Logistics and Commander, Division Support Command, 6th Infantry Division (Light). In October 1994, he assumed duties as Chief, Strategic Mobility Division, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, Department of the Army. In February 1996, he became Commander of Defense Distribution Region East, Defense Logistics Agency and then, in October 1997, the first Commander of the Defense Distribution Center, responsible for 22 distribution depots in CONUS and Europe. Major General Privratsky was Director of Transportation and Troop Support, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics. On July 9, 1999, Major General Privratsky assumed command of the Military Traffic Management Command. Major General Privratsky retired from the Army in 2002.

MG Privratsky is a graduate of the Airborne, Ranger, and Jungle Schools, and the School of Advanced Military Studies. He was a Senior Service College Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University and has earned graduate degrees in English, Business and Military Science.

MG Privratsky’s awards and decorations include the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Distinguished Service Medal, two Legions of Merit, two Bronze Stars, four Meritorious Service medals, two Air Medals, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, and Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Bronze Star.

After retiring from the military Major General Privratsky worked for the largest domestic ocean shipping company in the U.S. He was responsible for terminal operations in Alaska, Hawaii, Guam and along the west coast of the U.S. He retired from private industry in 2010. After retirement Major General Privratsky received the 2013 Exceptional Military Service Award from Eastern Washington University. He was also inducted into the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Hall of Fame in 2018. He is also an author having published book the book, Logistics in the Falklands: A Case Study in Expeditionary Warfare. The EWU Army ROTC indoor shooting range at Cadet Hall is named in honor of Major General Privratsky. He and his wife, Kathy, have two daughters, Erika and Kylie and currently live in Anchorage, Alaska.

Major General Privratsky is inducted into the DLA Hall of Fame.

You can see the rest of the members of our EWU Military Science Hall of Fame at the below link:

EWU Military Science Hall of Fame

EWU Military Science Hall of Fame: Brigadier General Frederick G. Wong

10/09/202408/03/2019 by jstafford3

Frederick G. Wong

U.S. Army Retired

EWU ROTC Class of 1964

Silver Star

Brigadier General Frederick G. Wong was born January 4, 1942 in Puunene on the Hawaiian island of Maui. He earned a Bachelor’s of Art degree in Education from the then named Eastern Washington State College (EWSC) in 1964 and commissioned as a Second Lieutenant as a Distinguished Military Graduate through the university’s Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program. He earned a Master of Arts degree in Education from Eastern in 1973. His military education includes completion of the Signal Officer Basic Course, Fort Gordon Georgia; the Infantry Officer Advanced Course, Fort Benning, Georgia; and the U.S. Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania.

Cadet Fred Wong receiving an award as the top shooter of the ROTC Rifle Team in 1963 from the then Eastern Washington State College Professor of Military Science Colonel Erwin Nilsson

Cadet Fred Wong was the 1963 Man of the Year at Eastern.

Brigadier General Wong’s early assignments include duty as a Platoon Leader at Fort Bragg, North Carolina; the Dominican Republic; and the Republic of Vietnam. He served as a Company Commander at Fort Polk, Louisiana; and as a Battalion Logistics Officer, Battalion Intelligence Officer, and Rifle Company Commander with the 25th Infantry Division in the Republic of Vietnam. General Wong also served as an ROTC Instructor at Eastern prior to serving in Europe with Headquarters VII Corps, Stuttgart, West Germany; followed by duty as the Deputy G1 Berlin Brigade. From 1977 to 1979 he served on the Third ROTC Region Staff and in 1980 as the Executive Officer with 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry, Fort Riley, Kansas. He then served on the Army Staff on the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff Personnel, and from 1985 to 1987 as Chief, Colonels Assignments Branch, U.S. Army Military Personnel Center.

Brigadier General Wong while serving as a company commander in Vietnam.

Brigadier General Wong served two tours with the 24th Infantry Division (Mechanized) at Fort Stewart, Georgia, where he commanded the 2nd Battalion, 19th Infantry and the 2nd Brigade, 24th Infantry Division. In addition he served as the Assistant Chief of Staff, G1 and the Division Chief of Staff.

Brigadier General Wong served as the Executive Assistant to the Deputy Commander in Chief, U.S. Army Pacific Command (USARPAC). He then became the Deputy Director for Strategic Planning and Policy, U.S. Pacific Command, Camp Smith, Hawaii. He next served as Assistant Division Commander, 5th Infantry Division (Mechanized). His final assignment was as Director, Officer Personnel Management, U.S. Total Army Personnel Command. He retired from the Army 1995. In 2000, he was appointed chief of the Defense Intelligence Senior Executive Service. In 2004, he became chief of Human Intelligence Support Services. He retired from government service in September 2009, after 40 years of service to his nation.

Brigadier General Wong’s awards and decorations include the Silver Star, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Bronze Star Medal with “V” device and three oak leaf clusters, Purple Heart with oak leaf cluster, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Air Crewman’s Badge, and Parachutists Badge.

Brigadier General Wong is married to the former Vicky Tamura of Kilauea on the Hawaiian island of Kauai. They have a daughter Lori and a son Jon. He is currently retired in Tennessee.

2016 Eastern Washington University Exceptional Military Service Award Winner

You can see the rest of the members of our EWU Military Science Hall of Fame at the below link:

EWU Military Science Hall of Fame

EWU Military Science Hall of Fame: Brigadier General Gratton O. Sealock II

08/03/2019 by jstafford3

Brigadier General Gratton O. Sealock II

U.S. Army Retired

EWU ROTC Class of 1974

Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army (CASA)

Brigadier General Gratton “Neal” Sealock entered the U.S. Army in 1974 upon graduation from Eastern Washington State College (EWSC) now known as Eastern Washington University (EWU). He was a Distinguished Military Graduate (DMG) from the university’s Reserve Officer Training Corps program and commissioned as a Second Lieutenant into the Infantry.

After the Infantry Officer Basic Course, Brigadier General Sealock was assigned to the 1st Battalion (Airborne), 500th Infantry, 82nd Airborne Division serving as a rifle platoon leader, weapons platoon leader, and heavy mortar platoon leader before receiving orders to attend flight training. BG Sealock completed flight school and the AH-1 Cobra course in 1977, he was assigned to C Company 3rd Aviation Battalion (Combat), Schweinfurt, Federal Republic of Germany. He join the battalion staff in Kitzinger in 1979.

Upon completion of the Infantry Officer Advanced Course in 1981, BG Sealock was assigned to the Army Aviation Center, Ft. Rucker, Alabama as an attack helicopter instructor pilot and flight commander. He served as the operations officer for Hanchey Division and assumed command of 64th Company, 6th Battalion in May 1983.

From late 1984 through 1986, BG Sealock studied Mandarin Chinese at the Defense Language Institute, the Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom) Chinse Language School in Hong Kong, and Fudan University in Shanghai, People’s Republic of China through the Army’s Foreign Area Officer program. He graduated from the Armed Forces Staff College in 1987.

Returning overseas he served as the Executive Officer for 4th Squadron, 7th Cavalry at Camp Garry Owen, Republic of Korea. Subsequently BG Sealock was assigned to DIA as the China Country Officer in Washington, D.C. In August 1990 he returned to Hong Kong as the Assistant Army Attach ‘e and Director of the China Foreign Area Officer training program. From May 1992 through April 1994, BG Sealock commanded the 4th Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment at Ft. Bliss, Texas.

After relinquishing command, BG Sealock spent a year as a National Security Fellow at the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University in lieu of the Army War College. Afterwards he was assigned as the China Desk officer and the Northeast Asia Branch Chief, Asia Pacific Division, in the Directorate for Strategy and Policy, J-5 the Joint Staff from June 1995 through May 1997.

BG Sealock addresses reporters during the Hainan Island Incident.

Brigadier General Sealock returned to Ft. Rucker and commanded the 1st Aviation Brigade from June 1997 through June 1999. He assumed the duties as U.S. Army Attaché, Canberra, Australia in August 1999 as well as being the only accredited U.S. officer to Papua New Guinea, the Soloman Islands, and Vanuatu. He was assigned as the U.S. Defense Attaché in the People’s Republic of China at the American Embassy in Beijing from September 2000 through August 2002. It was during this assignment that BG Sealock negotiated for the release of 24 American military crewmen who were detained by China after their plane crash landed on Hainan Island following a collision with a Chinese fighter jet.

Brigadier General Sealock was then assigned as the Deputy Commanding General, U.S. Army Cadet Command, Ft. Monroe, Virginia. He retired from military service in 2005. Following retirement he became the Director of the Spokane International Airport from 2005 through 2010. Brigadier General Sealock currently serves as the Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army (CASA) for the Eastern Washington region. Neal and his wife Donna live in Spokane and have two sons K.C. and Clint.

Acting Secretary of the Army, Robert M. Speer selected (l to r) John T. Hargrove to represent Georgia (West); John W. Moulton, Illinois (South); and Gratton O’Neal Sealock II, Washington (East) as new Civilian Aides to the Secretary of the Army (CASA)

You can see the rest of the members of our EWU Military Science Hall of Fame at the below link:

EWU Military Science Hall of Fame

EWU Military Science Hall of Fame: Lieutenant Colonel Wanda R. Jewell

08/02/2019 by jstafford3

Lieutenant Colonel Wanda R. Jewell

U.S. Army Retired

EWU ROTC Class of 1976

Gold Medalist Pan American Games

Bronze Medalist Olympic Games

Wanda Jewell graduated from the then named, Eastern Washington State College in 1976 and earned a regular Army commission into the Ordnance branch. She was part of the first ROTC class that commissioned women into the Army. Her military assignments include the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, 3rd COSCOM, 7th ARCOM, Individual Ready Reserve, and Small Arms Training Team.

Wanda Jewell

Wanda Jewell as a Cadet in 1976.

Wanda won a Bronze Medal in women’s small bore standard rifle at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, California. In 1978 she became the first person – male or female- to win two individual Gold medals at the World Shooting Championships. In 1974, while at Eastern, she was selected to the National Rifle Association’s Collegiate All-America team after winning a national intercollegiate title in conventional shooting. She also won numerous medals, including Gold, at the Pan World Championships and three Pan American Games. A 1976 graduate of Eastern, she was a two-time Inland Empire Female Athlete of the Year in the mid-1970’s. Her competitive career spanned 24 years, but she also contributed to the sport as a coach and administrator.

Wanda Jewell after winning a Bronze Medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics

In 2002 Wanda became the Director of Operations for USA Shooting based in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Prior to that she served as the national rifle coach for U.S.A. Shooting; the first female to coach a national rifle team anywhere in the world. In 2001 her American rifle athletes won seven World Cup medals, and in 2002 American athletes won two World Cup medals, four Olympic quotas and two World Championships. In November of 2002 she was selected as U.S.A. Shooting Coach of the Year. “A big part of success in coaching is providing the right opportunities for the athletes,” Jewell said. Wanda retired from U.S.A. Shooting in 2008.

Wanda Jewell (2011)

Wanda Jewell’s military awards include, three Meritorious Service Medals, two Army Commendation Medals, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Army Service Ribbon. Wanda is married to Max Oliver, an Eastern ROTC graduate and retired Major.

You can see the rest of the members of our EWU Military Science Hall of Fame at the below link: