Brigadier General Stephen D. Korenek

Brigadier General Stephen D. Korenek was born on 7 September 1946 and began a 35 year Army career as a distinguished military graduate from Texas A&M University on 25 May 1968. Commissioned an Infantry Second Lieutenant, he completed the Infantry Officer's basic course at Fort Benning, Georgia, on the Commandant's List and was chosen for Army Ranger School, a nine week intensive tactics and leadership course. His first assignment was with 5th Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Division at Fort Hood, and he completed Airborne School on his way to Vietnam. As an Airborne Ranger, he served as Operations Officer for Company P, 75th Ranger Regiment, 1st Brigade, 5th Infantry Division, I Corps, near the Demilitarized Zone in Vietnam. As the only officer besides the Company Commander, he ran the Tactical Operations Center and, as Command and Control Officer, coordinated the unit's six man team, five day reconnaissance and combat patrols, helicopter insertions and extractions, artillery fire, helicopter gunships' suppressive fire, and Air Force close air support against North Vietnamese Army regulars from across the DMZ. On patrol, he served as an equal team member. Released from active duty in Fairbanks, Alaska, in 1975, he joined the Alaska Army National Guard and served in command and staff billets from company through brigade. He was promoted to Brigadier General to command the 207th Infantry Brigade, scout, and after successful command was appointed by the Alaska governor as Commanding General of the Alaska Army National Guard. His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, Combat Infantryman's Badge, Air Medal, Airborne Badge, Ranger Tab, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, Meritorious Service Medal (2), Legion of Merit, Army Achievement Medal (7), Army Commendation Medal (4), National Defense Service Medal (2), and numerous reserve component and Alaska National Guard awards. He retired on 30 January 2003 and later lived in Brownwood with his wife Becky; their four daughters include an Army combat veteran and an Army reserve veteran.

Brownwood, Texas · United States