Keith Kellogg facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Keith Kellogg
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Kellogg in 2025
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| United States Special Envoy for Ukraine | |
| Assumed office March 15, 2025 |
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| President | Donald Trump |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| United States Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia | |
| In office January 20, 2025 – March 15, 2025 |
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| President | Donald Trump |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Position abolished |
| National Security Advisor to the Vice President of the United States | |
| In office April 27, 2018 – January 20, 2021 |
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| Vice President | Mike Pence |
| Preceded by | Andrea L. Thompson |
| Succeeded by | Nancy McEldowney |
| Executive Secretary and Chief of Staff of the United States National Security Council | |
| In office January 20, 2017 – April 27, 2018 |
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| President | Donald Trump |
| Preceded by | Suzy George |
| Succeeded by | Frederick H. Fleitz |
| United States National Security Advisor | |
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Acting
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| In office February 13, 2017 – February 20, 2017 |
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| President | Donald Trump |
| Preceded by | Michael Flynn |
| Succeeded by | H. R. McMaster |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Joseph Keith Kellogg Jr.
May 12, 1944 Dayton, Ohio, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Paige Kellogg |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Santa Clara University (BA) University of Kansas (MS) United States Army War College |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1967–2003 |
| Rank | Lieutenant General |
| Commands | 82nd Airborne Division Special Operations Command Europe |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War Operation Just Cause Persian Gulf War |
| Awards | Army Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit (2 with one oak leaf cluster) Bronze Star Medal (5 with a "V" device) |
Joseph Keith Kellogg Jr. (born May 12, 1944), often called Keith Kellogg, is an American government official and a retired lieutenant general from the United States Army. He is known for his long military career and for serving as a key advisor in the government.
During Donald Trump's first term as president, Kellogg was the national security advisor to Vice President Mike Pence. He also briefly served as the acting National Security Advisor for the entire country. In his current role, he is President Trump's special representative, or envoy, for Ukraine.
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Early Life and Education
Kellogg was born in Dayton, Ohio. He graduated from Long Beach Polytechnic High School in 1961. He decided to join the military while in college.
He attended Santa Clara University, where he joined the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC). This program trains college students to become officers in the military. After graduating, he officially became an officer in the U.S. Army.
A Long Military Career
Kellogg served in the U.S. Army for 36 years, rising to the high rank of lieutenant general.
Service in the Vietnam War
As a young officer, Kellogg served in the Vietnam War. He was part of the famous 101st Airborne Division. He also trained to become a Special Forces officer, also known as a Green Beret. In this role, he advised the army of Cambodia. For his bravery in Vietnam, he received several awards, including the Silver Star and the Bronze Star Medal.
Leadership Roles
Throughout his career, Kellogg became a respected leader. He commanded several important army units. During Operation Just Cause in Panama, he led a brigade of the 7th Infantry Division. He also served as a leader in the 82nd Airborne Division during the Gulf War in 1990-1991. The 82nd Airborne is a well-known unit of soldiers trained to parachute into combat. By 1996, he was the commander of the entire division.
The September 11 Attacks
On September 11, 2001, Kellogg was a high-ranking general working at the Pentagon. When a plane crashed into the building, he helped manage the U.S. military's response from a secure command center. He worked with other top defense officials to keep the government running during the crisis. Kellogg retired from the Army in 2003.
Working Outside the Military
After retiring from the Army, Kellogg used his skills in the business world and in government service. From 2003 to 2004, he took on a major role in Iraq following the 2003 invasion. He was the Chief Operating Officer for the Coalition Provisional Authority, which was the temporary government set up to help rebuild the country. His job was to make sure the rebuilding projects happened quickly and efficiently.
He also worked for several large companies, including Oracle Corporation and Cubic Corporation. Later, he led a part of the America First Policy Institute, a research group focused on public policy.
Advising the White House
Kellogg has held several important advisory roles in the U.S. government.
Joining the Trump Administration
In 2016, Keith Kellogg became a foreign policy advisor for Donald Trump's presidential campaign. After Trump won the election, Kellogg helped prepare the Defense Department for the new president. He was then appointed as the Chief of Staff for the United States National Security Council (NSC). The NSC is a group of top officials who advise the president on national security and foreign policy.
For one week in February 2017, Kellogg served as the Acting National Security Advisor. This is the president's main advisor on security issues. He held the job temporarily until a permanent advisor was chosen. In 2018, he became the National Security Advisor for Vice President Mike Pence.
Key Events During His Service
Kellogg was an advisor during several important events. He was at the White House during the January 6 United States Capitol attack. Reports say that Kellogg supported Vice President Pence's decision to remain at the U.S. Capitol building during the attack. He later gave testimony to a congressional committee investigating the event.
A Peace Plan for Ukraine
In 2024, Kellogg and another former official, Frederick H. Fleitz, created a peace plan to end the war between Russia and Ukraine. Their plan suggested that both sides should agree to a ceasefire, which means they would stop fighting. The plan also said the U.S. should continue to help Ukraine if it agreed to peace talks.
Special Envoy for Ukraine
In November 2024, President-elect Trump chose Kellogg to be a special envoy, or representative, for both Ukraine and Russia. His job was to help manage the relationship between the two warring countries.
However, his role later changed. After some disagreements, his responsibilities were focused only on Ukraine, and he became the U.S. Special Envoy for Ukraine in March 2025.
In April 2025, Russia launched a missile attack on the city of Sumy, Ukraine. Kellogg strongly condemned the attack, calling it wrong and saying it "crossed any line of decency." He stated that the U.S. government was still focused on finding a way to end the war.
Personal Life
Kellogg and his wife, Paige, have been married since 1980. Paige is also a military veteran who served as a U.S. Army officer and paratrooper. They have three children together.
Kellogg comes from a family of high achievers. His older brother, Mike, was a professional football player and later became a judge. His sister, Kathy, is a clinical psychologist, and his younger brother, Jeff, has worked in local government and education in California.
Awards and Honors
Throughout his long military career, Keith Kellogg earned many medals for his service and bravery. One of his highest awards is the Silver Star, which he received for his actions in the Vietnam War.
Silver Star Citation
The official report for his Silver Star award describes his heroism.
First Lieutenant (Infantry) Joseph Keith Kellogg, United States Army, was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action... During an air assault, Lieutenant Kellogg pulled a wounded man from a fire line, then went on to attack an enemy bunker system with a machine gun. Running down the line, he destroyed five enemy bunkers with hand grenades. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
Some of his other major awards include the Army Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, and the Bronze Star Medal.
