Albert Bryant Jr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Albert Bryant Jr.
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Bryant's official U.S. Department of the Army photo
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| Nickname(s) | "Al" |
| Born | February 22, 1952 Pine Bluff, Arkansas, U.S. |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service/ |
 United States Army |
| Years of service | 1974–2008 |
| Rank |  Brigadier general |
| Commands held | Commander, A Company, 2nd Battalion, 67th Armor, 2nd Armored Division Commander, 4th Battalion, 67th Armor "Bandits," 1st Armored Division Commander, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division Director, Center for Army Tactics, Army Command and General Staff College |
| Battles/wars | Iraq War Operation Iraqi Freedom Operation Joint Endeavor |
| Awards | Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit (2 Oak Leaf Clusters) Defense Meritorious Service Medal Meritorious Service Medal (7 Oak Leaf Clusters) Defense Distinguished Service Medal Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal National Defense Service Medal (2 Stars) NATO Non-Article 5 Medal German Ehrenkreuz der Bundeswehr (Gold) Italian Commemorative Cross for Peace Operations Bronze Star Combat Action Badge Parachutist Badge |
| Spouse(s) |
Renée Bryant
(m. 1975) |
Albert Bryant Jr. (born February 22, 1952) is a retired U.S. Army brigadier general. He is well-known for his important roles in the military. These include leading operations in the Western Hemisphere after the September 11 attacks. He also helped find and capture former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein.
Bryant also served as a top leader at Fort Knox, Kentucky. He was a key American general in NATO's Kosovo Force (KFOR) before Kosovo became independent.
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Early Life and Education
Albert Bryant Jr. was born on February 22, 1952, in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. His family background is a mix of African, Chinese, and Irish-Scottish heritage.
His father, Albert Bryant Sr., was also a retired U.S. Army Reserve Brigadier General. He was one of the original "Montford Point Marines." These were the first African Americans allowed to join the U.S. Marine Corps. His mother, Mable Bryant, was a nurse.
Albert Jr. is the oldest of five children. His sister, Lori Bryant-Woolridge, is a writer. He grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area in California. He went to Newark High School in Newark, California. In 1970, he was accepted into the United States Military Academy at West Point.
Bryant earned a degree in General Engineering from West Point. He also has a master's degree in Operations Analysis from Stanford University in California. He completed another advanced degree from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College.
Military Career Highlights
Bryant started his military career in 1974. He became a Second Lieutenant in the Armor Branch after graduating from the U.S. Military Academy. His first assignments were in Germany and at Fort Hood, Texas.
After getting his master's degree from Stanford University in 1983, he continued his military training. He attended the U.S. Army's Command and General Staff College. He also went to the Army's School of Advanced Military Studies.
In 1991, Bryant joined the Army Staff in Washington, D.C. He worked as a Combat Systems Analyst. Later, he took command of the 4th Battalion, 67th Armor "Bandits," in Germany.
He then served as Chief of Plans for V Corps. In this role, he was the main planner for Operation Joint Endeavor. This was a peacekeeping mission in Bosnia in 1995–1996.
In 1998, he commanded the 3rd Brigade Combat Team at Fort Riley, Kansas. From 2000 to 2003, he was the Chief of Western Hemisphere Operations for the Joint Staff in Washington, D.C.. He held this important position during and after the September 11 attacks.
Bryant was promoted to brigadier general in March 2003. In June 2003, he became the Assistant Division Commander for the 4th Infantry Division. This division was involved in combat operations during Operation Iraqi Freedom. The 4th Infantry Division played a major role in finding and capturing Saddam Hussein.
In 2004, Bryant moved to Fort Knox, Kentucky. He served as the Deputy Commanding General of the U.S. Army Armor Center.
The next year, Bryant was chosen to be the Chief of Staff for NATO's KFOR in Kosovo. He started this role on June 27, 2005. He was the highest-ranking American officer on the KFOR leadership team.
His final military job was at The Pentagon. He was the Director of Integration for the Department of the Army. He oversaw the planning of equipment systems for the U.S. Army worldwide.
Key Military Operations
- Operation Joint Endeavor (1995–1996): He was the Chief Planner for this peacekeeping mission in Bosnia.
- Operation Iraqi Freedom (2003–2004): He was a top commander with the 4th Infantry Division in Tikrit, Iraq.
- NATO Operation, KFOR (2006–2007): He served as the Chief of Staff for KFOR in Kosovo.
Life After the Military
After retiring from active duty, Albert Bryant Jr. became an international consultant. He advises on military, diversity, and executive management topics. He works mainly in the United Arab Emirates and the Washington, D.C., area.
Personal Life
Albert Bryant Jr. married Renée Saxton in 1975. Her father, Richard Saxton, was also a retired Army general. They have four children. Their oldest son, Benjamin Bryant, is a broadcaster and writer. He is known for his work on reports that led to the repeal of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law.
Awards and Decorations
Albert Bryant Jr. has received many awards and medals for his service.
Medals and Ribbons
Distinguished Service Medal
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit (with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters)
Bronze Star
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal (with 7 Oak Leaf Clusters)
Army Commendation Medal (with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters)
Army Achievement Medal (with an Oak Leaf Cluster)
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
National Defense Service Medal (with 2 Stars)
Meritorious Public Service Medal
NATO Non-Article 5 Medal
Combat Action Badge
Parachutist Badge
He has also received honors from other countries:
German Cross of Honour of the Bundeswehr in Gold
Italian Commemorative Cross for Peace Operations
In 1998, Bryant received the Draper Armor Leadership Award. He was also named to the U.S. Cavalry and Armor Association's Order of St. George.
Images for kids
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Bryant observes as Admiral Edmund Giambastiani greets German Lieutenant General Roland Kather in May 2007.
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Bryant in September 2005, presenting University of Kentucky President Lee Todd Jr. with an award.
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Bryant reviews international troops at his NATO KFOR Installation.
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Bryant is pinned in a promotion ceremony by his wife, military families advocate Renee Bryant.
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MG Raymond Odierno and Bryant at 4th Infantry Division Ceremony
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Bryant is greeted warmly by his father, original Montfort Point Marine and Congressional Gold Medal Recipient, Albert Bryant Sr.
