Julius William Gates (born June 14, 1941) is a retired United States Army soldier who served as the eighth Sergeant Major of the Army. He was sworn in during July 1987 and served until his term ended four years later in June 1991.

Julius W. Gates
Sergeant Major of the Army Julius W. Gates
Nickname(s)Bill
Born (1941-06-14) June 14, 1941 (age 82)
North Carolina
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchUnited States Army
Years of service1958–1991
RankSergeant Major of the Army
Battles/warsVietnam War
AwardsArmy Distinguished Service Medal
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit
Bronze Star Medal (4)
Purple Heart

Early life edit

Gates was born in North Carolina on June 14, 1953.

Military career edit

Gates entered the United States Army on August 12, 1958, and attended initial training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. He served three tours in Germany, two combat tours in Vietnam, and a tour in the Republic of Korea.

Gates' stateside assignments include duty with the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, the United States Army Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia, the 1st Ranger Battalion at Fort Stewart, Georgia, the Virginia Military Institute of Lexington, Virginia and Fort Bliss, Texas. Gates served in numerous non-commissioned officer leadership positions, including as first Commandant of the 24th Infantry Division NCO Academy at Fort Stewart, Georgia. Before being appointed as the Sergeant Major of the Army he served as command sergeant major of the 2d Armored Division (Forward), the 3d Infantry Division (Mechanized), the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy, and of United States Forces Korea.

Awards and decorations edit

  Combat Infantryman Badge
  Ranger tab
  Master Parachutist Badge
  Expert Marksman Badge with one weapon clasp
  Army Distinguished Service Medal
  Defense Superior Service Medal
  Legion of Merit
Bronze Star Medal with Valor device and three oak leaf clusters
  Purple Heart
  Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
  Air Medal
Army Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters
  Army Achievement Medal
  Presidential Unit Citation
  Good Conduct Medal with 5 silver loops
  Army of Occupation Medal
National Defense Service Medal with bronze service star
Vietnam Service Medal with service star
   NCO Professional Development with award numeral 5
  Army Service Ribbon
   Overseas Service Ribbon with award numeral 5
  Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation
  Vietnam Campaign Medal

2005 recipient of the Doughboy Award from the National Infantry Association.[1]

References edit

  1. ^ The Wexford Group Archived 2007-09-29 at the Wayback Machine Sergeants Major Gates currently works for the Army Research Institute at the Joint Readiness Training Center Operations Group (JRTC OPS GRP) and is often out in the field showing outside agency's the training conducted at the JRTC so they can help improve the training for the U.S. Army.

  This article incorporates public domain material from Elder, Daniel K (2003). "The Sergeants Major of the Army". Center of Military History. Washington, D.C.: United States Army.

Military offices
Preceded by Sergeant Major of the Army
1987—1991
Succeeded by