Stephen J. Townsend | |
|---|---|
 Townsend in July 2019 | |
| Nickname(s) | "Steve" |
| Born | 1959 (age 64–65) Scheinfeld, West Germany[1] |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1982–2022 |
| Rank | General |
| Commands | United States Africa Command United States Army Training and Doctrine Command Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve XVIII Airborne Corps 10th Mountain Division 3d Brigade Combat Team, 2d Infantry Division |
| Battles / wars | Invasion of Grenada Operation Uphold Democracy American invasion of Panama Global War on Terrorism |
| Awards | Defense Distinguished Service Medal w/ "C" device Army Distinguished Service Medal (3) Defense Superior Service Medal (2) Legion of Merit (2) Bronze Star Medal (5) w/ "V" device Defense Meritorious Service Medal Meritorious Service Medal (6) |
Stephen J. Townsend (born 1959) is a retired United States Army four-star general who served as Commander United States Africa Command from 26 July 2019 to 8 August 2022. He previously commanded the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command from March 2018 until June 2019 and XVIII Airborne Corps from May 2015 until January 2018.[2]
Townsend has served with the 82nd Airborne Division, the 7th Infantry Division, the 75th Ranger Regiment, the 78th Division (Training Support), and the 10th Mountain Division. He fought in Operation Urgent Fury, Operation Just Cause, and Operation Uphold Democracy. With the 10th Mountain Division, he served in the War in Afghanistan, leading a task force in Operation Anaconda. Townsend commanded the 3d Brigade Combat Team,[3] 2d Infantry Division leading it in the Battle of Baqubah in the Iraq War, and later served in command of the 10th Mountain Division in the War in Afghanistan. He became commander of XVIII Airborne Corps in May 2015 and, in late August 2016, took command of the Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve, until III Corps commander Lieutenant General Paul E. Funk II took over command of the operation in 2017.
- ^ "Battle Brings Soldier Closer to His Ethnic Roots". Washington Post. Thomas E. Ricks. 18 March 2002. Retrieved 5 April 2017.
- ^ "New Operation Inherent Resolve commander continues fight against ISIL". United States Army. 22 August 2016. Retrieved 8 September 2016.
- ^ "Lineage and Honors Information - U.S. Army Center of Military History". History.army.mil. Retrieved 13 August 2022.