Lieutenant General Russel L. Honoré was born on September 15, 1947, in Lakeland, Louisiana. He was educated at Southern University and A&M College, where he earned a bachelor's degree in vocational agriculture and received ROTC training at Southern University. He entered the U.S. Army as an infantry officer of U.S. Army Combat Development Command in 1971. His service included command at Army School as commander for C Company, 4th Battalion, 5th Infantry in 1989, and commander for 4th Battalion, 16th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division during Desert Shield/Storm. In 2004, he became the 33rd commanding general of U.S. First Army at Fort Gillem, Georgia. In 2005, President Bush appointed him to command Task Force Katrina after poor management by FEMA resulted in a complete breakdown of protection by local police and sheriff personnel. Armed military personnel were needed to avoid a takeover by criminals, and Honoré gained media celebrity status through strong leadership in a dire situation. He retired on January 11, 2008.