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Carl E. Vuono
Portrait of U.S. Army Gen. Carl E. Vuono, CHIEF of STAFF, U.S. Army (Uncovered) (Official U.S. Army photograph) (Released) (PC-191796).jpg
Vuono in 1991
Born (1934-10-18) 18 October 1934 (age 90)
Monongahela, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Allegiance United States
Service/branch United States Army
Years of service 1957–1991
Rank General
Commands held Chief of Staff of the United States Army
United States Army Training and Doctrine Command
United States Army Command and General Staff College
1st Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment
Battles/wars Vietnam War
Awards Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Army Distinguished Service Medal (3)
Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal
Legion of Merit
Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device (5)
Other work CEO, Military Professional Resources Inc.

Carl Edward Vuono, born on October 18, 1934, is a retired U.S. Army general. He was the top leader of the U.S. Army, serving as the Chief of Staff from 1987 to 1991.

Early Life and Army Career

GEN Carl Vuono
An official Army portrait of General Vuono

Carl Vuono was born in Monongahela, Pennsylvania, on October 18, 1934. His family has Italian roots. He started his military journey after graduating from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, in 1957.

He became an officer in the field artillery. This means he was trained to command and use large guns in battle. He served three times in South Vietnam during the Vietnam War.

  • From 1966 to 1967, he was an executive officer for an artillery battalion with the 1st Infantry Division.
  • In 1970, he was an executive officer for the artillery unit of the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile).
  • From 1970 to 1971, he commanded the 1st Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment.
  • Later, he became a Colonel and commanded the artillery unit of the 82d Airborne Division.

General Vuono moved up the ranks quickly. He worked several times at the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC). This command is in charge of training soldiers and developing new ways for the Army to fight. He eventually became the commander of TRADOC in 1986.

Life After the Army

After retiring from the Army in 1991, General Vuono joined Military Professional Resources Inc. (MPRI) in 1993. MPRI is a private military company, which means it's a business that offers military services. Since 1999, he has been the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MPRI.

In June 2000, another company called L-3 Communications bought MPRI. General Vuono was offered a senior leadership role at L-3 Communications.

In 2003, the West Point Association of Graduates gave General Vuono the Distinguished Graduate Award. This award honors graduates who have achieved great success. He also has an honorary doctorate degree in Public Administration from Shippensburg University.

Awards and Honors

General Vuono received many awards for his service in the Army. Some of his most important awards include:

  • Defense Distinguished Service Medal
  • Army Distinguished Service Medal (three times)
  • Navy Distinguished Service Medal
  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
  • Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal
  • Legion of Merit
  • Bronze Star Medal (five times, with a "V" Device for bravery)
  • Meritorious Service Medal
  • Air Medal (12 times)
  • Army Commendation Medal (five times)
  • National Defense Service Medal
  • Vietnam Service Medal
  • Army Service Ribbon
  • Army Overseas Service Ribbon

He also received awards from other countries, like Brazil, South Korea, and France.

Images for kids

  • US Army Airborne master parachutist badge

    Master Parachutist Badge

  • Joint Chiefs of Staff seal

    Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge

  • United States Army Staff Identification Badge

    Army Staff Identification Badge

  • 1st Cavalry Division SSI (full color)

    1st Cavalry Division Shoulder Sleeve Insignia

  • Defense Distinguished Service Medal ribbon

    Defense Distinguished Service Medal

  • Distinguished Service Medal ribbon

    Army Distinguished Service Medal

  • Navy Distinguished Service ribbon

    Navy Distinguished Service Medal

  • Air Force Distinguished Service ribbon

    Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

  • Coast Guard Distinguished Service ribbon

    Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal

  • Legion of Merit ribbon

    Legion of Merit

  • Bronze Star ribbon

    Bronze Star Medal

  • Meritorious Service Medal ribbon

    Meritorious Service Medal

  • Air Medal ribbon

    Air Medal

  • Award numeral 1

    Numeral 1

  • Award numeral 2

    Numeral 2

  • Army Commendation Medal ribbon

    Army Commendation Medal

  • Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon

    Meritorious Unit Commendation

  • National Defense Service Medal ribbon

    National Defense Service Medal

  • Vietnam Service Ribbon

    Vietnam Service Medal

  • Army Service Ribbon

    Army Service Ribbon

  • Army Overseas Service Ribbon

    Army Overseas Service Ribbon

  • BRA Ordem do Merito Militar Gra-cruz

    Order of Military Merit (Brazil)

  • Gugseon Security Medal Ribbon

    Order of National Security Merit (Korea)

  • Ordre national du Merite Commandeur ribbon

    National Order of Merit (France)

  • Vietnamese Gallantry Cross ribbon

    Gallantry Cross (Vietnam)

  • Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal ribbon-First Class

    Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal 1st class

  • Gallantry Cross Unit Citation

    Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation

  • Civil Action Unit Citation

    Civil Actions Medal Unit Citation (Vietnam)

  • Vietnam Campaign Medal ribbon with 60- clasp

    Vietnam Campaign Medal

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