Dana J. H. Pittard facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dana J. H. Pittard
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Dana Pittard in 2013
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| Born | March 11, 1959 Okinawa, Japan |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ |
United States Army |
| Years of service | 1981–2015 |
| Rank | Major general |
| Commands held | 1st Armored Division Iraq Assistance Group 3rd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division |
| Battles/wars | Gulf War Operation Inherent Resolve |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Medal (2) Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit (2) Bronze Star Medal (4) |
Dana James Hillian Pittard (born March 11, 1959) is a retired United States Army general. He held many important leadership roles during his career. From June 2014, he served as the Joint Force Land Component Commander for Iraq (JFLCC-I). In this role, he helped lead the fight against the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) when they moved into Iraq from Syria.
Before this, General Pittard was the deputy commanding general for operations for ARCENT, which is part of the United States Central Command in Kuwait. He also commanded the 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas. He was also the commanding general of the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California.
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Early Life and School
Dana Pittard was born in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. His father was a soldier stationed there at the time. He grew up in El Paso, Texas, and graduated from Eastwood High School. As a boy, he even lived at Fort Bliss, a place he would later command.
General Pittard studied at the United States Military Academy. He also completed advanced military courses, including the Command and General Staff College. He earned a master's degree in military arts and science from the United States Army School of Advanced Military Studies. He also completed a special program at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
Military Career Highlights
General Pittard became an armor officer in 1981. His first assignment was with the 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley, Kansas, in 1982. He led tank platoons and served in various roles with armor units. In 1985, he was assigned to Germany.
Leading Units in Germany and Combat
From 1986 to 1988, Pittard commanded E Troop, 2nd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. He then commanded Fox Company in Berlin, Germany, until 1990. In April 1990, he commanded D Company, 1-37 Armor in Germany. He led this unit in combat in Iraq during Operation Desert Storm. After returning to Germany, he held other leadership roles. He later served at Fort Hood, Texas, as a plans chief and operations officer for different divisions.
Service with the President and in Iraq
General Pittard served as a military aide to President Bill Clinton from 1996 to 1999. In 1999, he took command of a unit at Fort Lewis, Washington. This unit was part of the army's first Stryker Brigade.
In 2002, Pittard took command of the 3rd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division. He led this unit on deployments to Kosovo (2002–2003) and to combat in Iraq (2004–2005). He later became the assistant division commander for maneuver for the 1st Infantry Division. In 2006, he deployed to Iraq again for Operation Iraqi Freedom. There, he commanded the Iraq Assistance Group, leading troops in combat until 2007.
Commanding Forts and Divisions
In August 2007, General Pittard took command of Fort Irwin. He left Fort Irwin in March 2009 to become the deputy chief of staff for operations and training at TRADOC. On July 9, 2010, he assumed command of Fort Bliss, Texas. In May 2011, he also took command of the 1st Armored Division.
On May 24, 2013, General Pittard handed over command of the 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss. He then became the deputy commanding general of operations for ARCENT until 2015. In 2014, he became the Joint Forces Land Component Command-Iraq (JFLCC-I) in Baghdad. In this role, he led the first efforts against ISIS in Iraq. General Pittard officially retired from the Army on September 30, 2015.
Awards and Honors
General Pittard received many awards and decorations during his military career. These include:
 Combat Action Badge |
 Basic Parachutist Badge |
 Air Assault Badge |
 Ranger Tab |
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 Defense Superior Service Medal |
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 Defense Meritorious Service Medal |
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 Army Commendation Medal |
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 Presidential Service Badge |
He also received the General Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award. He wears special orders like the Order of St George, the Order of St Barbara, and the Order of the de Fleury Medal.
After the Army
After retiring from the Army, General Pittard became a vice-president at Allison Transmission, Inc. In 2018, Savoy magazine recognized him as one of the "Most Influential Blacks in Corporate America." He is also a triathlete. General Pittard co-authored a book called Hunting the Caliphate (2018). This book shares the story of the early fight against ISIS in Iraq in 2014.
