John Michael Bednarek

John Michael Bednarek is a retired United States Army officer. He was chief of the United States Office of Security Cooperation in Iraq and former commander of the United States First Army.[2][3][4] Bednarek took command of the First Army on April 6, 2011, from Lieutenant General Thomas G. Miller and was succeeded as commanding officer by Major General Kevin R. Wendel on March 14, 2013 (interim), with Lieutenant General Michael S. Tucker succeeding Bednarek as permanent commander on August 2, 2013.[1][3][5][6]

John Michael Bednarek
Bednarek in 2011
Born	London, United Kingdom[1]
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Army[2]
Years of service	1975–2015
Rank	Lieutenant General
Commands held	Office of Security Cooperation-Iraq United States First Army 25th Infantry Division
Battles/wars	Iraq War
Awards	Defense Distinguished Service Medal Army Distinguished Service Medal Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit (5)

Military career

Bednarek received his commission through an Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps program upon his graduation from Old Dominion University.[1][2] He has held commands within every level of the Army, ranging from platoon to field army.[2] Bednarek has also served as the Chief of the Training Group at the Joint Warfighting Center, the Chief of the Operations Group at the Joint Readiness Training Center, and Commander of the 4th Training Brigade.[2] In June 2008 Bednarek was given command of the First Army's East Division and on April 6, 2011, Bednarek took command of the United States First Army.[1][3][7] He served as commander of the First Army until March 14, 2013, when he was assigned as Chief of the Office of Security Cooperation (OSC) in Iraq.[3] As OSC chief, Bednarek was the highest ranking American military officer in Iraq and was involved in US efforts against the Islamic State in the Iraqi Civil War.[8] Bednarek has also attended Troy State University where he received a MS in personal management, the US Army Command and General Staff College, and the US Army War College.[2] Bednarek retired from service on July 24, 2015.[9]

Awards and decorations

Combat Action Badge

Expert Infantryman Badge

Ranger tab

Master Parachutist Badge with one bronze Combat Jump Device

Military Freefall Parachutist Badge

Special Operations Diving Supervisor Badge

Pathfinder Badge

Silver German Parachutist Badge

25th Infantry Division Combat Service Identification Badge

75th Ranger Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia

Defense Distinguished Service Medal

Army Distinguished Service Medal

Defense Superior Service Medal

Legion of Merit with four bronze oak leaf clusters

Defense Meritorious Service Medal

Meritorious Service Medal with silver oak leaf cluster

Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters

Army Achievement Medal

Joint Meritorious Unit Award with oak leaf cluster

Valorous Unit Award with oak leaf cluster

Meritorious Unit Commendation

Army Superior Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters

National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star

Iraq Campaign Medal

Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

Humanitarian Service Medal

Army Service Ribbon

Army Overseas Service Ribbon with unidentified award numeral

[2]

References

1. Smith, Johanna (August 14, 2012). "Lieutenant General J. Michael Bednarek, Commanding General, First Army". Rotary Club of Davenport. Retrieved 11 February 2017.
2. "Lieutenant General John M. Bednarek" (PDF). United States Army. Retrieved 11 February 2017.
3. "Lt. Gen. Mick Bednarek to relinquish command of First Army". Moline Dispatch & Rock Island Argus. March 4, 2013. Retrieved 11 February 2017.
4. "Blog: Bednarek Assigned to Office of Security Cooperation-Iraq". SIGNAL Media. Retrieved 11 February 2017.
5. Rodesky-Flores, Danette (April 7, 2011). "Bednarek takes command of First Army". US Army. Retrieved 11 February 2017.
6. Lamansky, Katrina (August 2, 2013). "Lt. Gen. Tucker assumes command of First Army in Rock Island". WQAD-8. Retrieved 11 February 2017.
7. Bieltz, Brandon (March 11, 2011). "Bednarek to lead First Army Division East and West". US Army. Retrieved 12 February 2017.
8. Tan, Michelle (August 7, 2014). "Top U.S. officer in Iraq: 'We must neutralize this enemy'". Military Times. Archived from the original on 7 August 2014. Retrieved 12 February 2017.
9. "Lt. Gen. John M. Bednarek retirement". US Army. July 24, 2015. Retrieved 12 February 2017.