Archive for May 7, 2007

LTC James Raymer and LTC Greg Gadson

I recieved this picture from Greg Gadson last month of him and James Raymer, both in their battalion commands in Iraq.  I thought it would be a good idea to start "profiles" on some of our classmates so that we can catch up on what everyone is up to.  James and Greg both sent their official bios which I’ve used to write the following.  [Note:  Greg was seriously injured by an IED o/a 7 May 2007.  Please keep him and his family in your prayers.]

Raymer and GadsonLTC Greg Gadson:  Greg has commanded the 2nd Battalion, 32nd Field Artillery, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division (Fort Riley) since August 2005.  Greg is married to the former Kimberly Thomas (I2) ’89 of Lee’s Summit, Missouri and they have two children.  Previous assignments include:
  • Platoon Fire Direction Officer, Firing Battery Platoon Leader (Desert Shield/Desert Storm) and Battalion Fire Direction Officer for 5th Battalion, 18th Field Artillery, III Corps Artillery at Fort Sill
  • Division Targeting Officer, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 82nd Airborne Division Artillery, Battalion Adjutant, 3rd Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, Battalion Fire Support Officer, 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Commander, Battery C, 3rd Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, and Commander, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 82nd Airborne Division for the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg
  • Personnel Distribution Officer, Human Resources Command, in Alexandria, Virginia
  • Special Assistant to the Commanding General, United States Army Pacific at Fort Shafter
  • Chief of Operations, Multinational Division North, Bosnia-Herzegovina, (Stabilization Force XI), 25th Infantry Division (Light), Battalion Operations Officer, 2nd Battalion, 11th Field Artillery, Operations Officer, 25th Infantry Division, Executive Officer, 25th Infantry Division Artillery, Forward Operating Base Salerno, Afghanistan (Operation Enduring Freedom V) at Schofield Barracks

Greg has the following post-grad schools/degrees:
  • Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth

Greg’s awards include the Bronze Star Medal (2 OLC), Meritorious Service Medal (3 OLC), Army Commendation Medal (3 OLC), Army Achievement Medal (3 OLC), National Defense Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal with 2 Bronze Stars, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (2 OLC), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Saudi Arabian Liberation Medal, Kuwaiti Liberation Medal and the Afghanistan Campaign Medal.  He is also authorized to wear the Master Parachutist Badge.


LTC James Raymer:  James has commanded the 20th Engineer Battalion, Camp Liberty, Iraq (Ft. Hood) since December 2005.  He has been married since July 2006 to the former Elizabeth Ojeda.  They have four children from Elizabeth’s previous marriage.  James’ previous assignments include:
  • Platoon leader, company executive officer, and Battalion S-4 in the 65th Engineer Battalion, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks
  • Assistant Battalion S-3, Company Commander, and Battalion Maintenance Officer, 37th Engineer Battalion, 20th Engineer Brigade, Fort Bragg
  • Olmsted Scholar, San Miguel de Tucuman, Argentina
  • G-3 Plans Officer, 2nd Infantry Division, Camp Red Cloud, Republic of Korea
  • Battalion Operations Officer, 44th Engineer Battalion, Camp Howze, Republic of Korea , Camp Ar Ramadi, Iraq, and Fort Carson
James has the following post-grad schools/degrees:
  • Two (2) Master of Military Arts and Science degrees from the Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth
  • Joint Forces Staff College
  • School of Advanced Military Studies
  • Army Command and General Staff College
  • Defense Language Institute,
  • Infantry Officer Advanced Course
  • Engineer Officer Basic Course. 
  • Registered Professional Engineer in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
James has been involved in the following campaigns/operations: 
  • Operation UPHOLD DEMOCRACY in Haiti with 37th Engineer Battalion, 20th Engineer Brigade (SEP-NOV 1994)
  • Operation IRAQI FREEDOM with 44th Engineer Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division in Ar Ramadi (AUG 2004 – JUL 2005)
  • Operation IRAQI FREEDOM with 20th Engineer Battalion, 1169th Engineer Group, 1st Cavalry Division in Baghdad (NOV 2004 – present)

James’ awards include the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with OLC, the Army Commendation Medal with OLC, the Army Achievement Medal with OLC, the National Defense Service Medal (2 awards), the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the GWOT Expeditionary Medal, the GWOT Service Medal, the Korean Defense Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Combat Action Badge, the Master Parachutist Badge, the Pathfinder Badge, the Air Assault Badge, the Ranger Tab, the Sapper Tab, and the United Kingdom Parachutist Badge.