William E. Ward | |
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Ward as a general in November 2009. He was reduced in rank to lieutenant general upon his retirement in 2012.
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Nickname(s) | "Kip" |
Born | March 6, 1949 |
Allegiance | United States of America |
Service/branch | United States Army |
Years of service | 1971-2012 |
Rank | Lieutenant general (reduced from General) |
Commands held |
U.S. Africa Command Deputy Commander, U.S. European Command 25th Infantry Division |
Battles/wars | Operation Restore Hope |
Awards |
Defense Distinguished Service Medal (3) Army Distinguished Service Medal (2) Defense Superior Service Medal (3) Legion of Merit (4) |
William E. "Kip" Ward (born March 6, 1949), is a former United States Army four-star general who previously served as Commander, U.S. Africa Command from October 1, 2007 to March 8, 2011. Prior to that, Ward previously served as Deputy Commander, U.S. European Command. After he left U.S. Africa Command, Ward reverted to his permanent rank of major general and served as a special assistant to the Army’s vice chief of staff after the Department of Defense concluded he had misused taxpayer money. Ward then retired with the rank of lieutenant general in November 2012.
Ward holds an M.A. in Political Science from Pennsylvania State University and a B.A. in Political Science from Morgan State University. While at Morgan State he was a member of the National Society of Pershing Rifles. His military education includes the Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced courses, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, and U.S. Army War College.
Ward was commissioned into the infantry in 1971. His military service includes overseas tours in Korea, Egypt, Somalia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Israel, two tours in Germany, and a wide variety of assignments in the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii. He relinquished command of Africa Command to General Carter F. Ham.