James C. Riley
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James C. Riley | |
|---|---|
_(U.S._Army_photo_by_Mr._Russell_F._Roederer)_(Released)_(PC-192015)_-_DPLA_-_24f49e434a5c41c948387e56a805b2c8.jpeg) Riley as a brigadier general in 1994 | |
| Born | 13 November 1946 |
| Service | United States Army |
| Service years | 1965–2003 |
| Rank | Lieutenant General |
| Unit | U.S. Army Infantry Branch |
| Commands |
|
| Wars | Vietnam War Gulf War |
| Awards | Defense Distinguished Service Medal Army Distinguished Service Medal Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit (2) Bronze Star Medal (2) Meritorious Service Medal (5) |
| Alma mater | University of Nebraska–Lincoln Webster University United States Army Command and General Staff College United States Army War College |
| Spouse |
Linda J. Axtater (m. 1967) |
| Other work | Vice President, Raytheon Corporation |
James C. Riley (born 13 November 1946) is a retired United States Army officer. A veteran of the Vietnam War and the Gulf War, he served from 1965 to 2003 and attained the rank of lieutenant general. Riley's commands included 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment; 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division; United States Military Training Mission in Saudi Arabia; 3rd Infantry Division; V Corps; and the U.S. Army Combined Arms Center. His awards and decorations included the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, and two awards of the Legion of Merit.
A native of Montebello, California, Riley was raised and educated in Whittier, California. He was drafted into the United States Army in late 1965, attended Officer Candidate School, and received his commission as a second lieutenant. Riley served as an advisor to a South Vietnamese Army unit during the Vietnam War and continued his career afterward. In 1971, he received a bachelor's degree from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, and he graduated from the United States Army Command and General Staff College in 1980 and the United States Army War College in 1987. Also in 1987, he also received a master's degree from Webster University.
Riley went on to command 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, and he commanded 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division during the Gulf War. His later commands included 3rd Infantry Division, V Corps, and the U.S. Army Combined Arms Center. He retired in 2003, after which he worked as a vice president for Raytheon Corporation.
James Clifford Riley was born in Montebello, California on 13 November 1946, a son of George R. Riley and Beverly J. (Pearl) Riley.[3][4] He graduated from La Serna High School in Whittier, California, then attended Fullerton Junior College.[2]
Start of career
Riley was drafted into the United States Army in December 1965. He was selected to attended Officer Candidate School, and he received his commission as a second lieutenant in November 1966.[3][2] His initial assignment was platoon leader with 2nd Battalion, 505th Infantry Regiment, a unit of the 82nd Airborne Division.[5] He served in the Vietnam War as a member of Advisory Team 99, which provided mentoring and advice to the commander and staff of 4th Battalion, 49th Infantry Regiment, 25th South Vietnamese Division.[2][5] In 1969, he was posted to Fort Benning, Georgia, where he commanded Company B, 9th Battalion, 2nd Training Brigade.[2]