General Thomas A. Schwartz

Former Commander In Chief: United Nations Command, and ROK / US Combined Forces Command, and Commander, United States Forces Korea

General Thomas A. Schwartz assumed command of the United Nations Command, Republic of Korea/United States Combined Forces Command, and United States Forces Korea on December 9, 1999. Prior to that, he served as Commander, United States Army Forces Command.

General Thomas A. Schwartz is a native of St. Paul, Minnesota. He graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1967 and was commissioned a second lieutenant of Infantry in the Regular Army. He holds master's degrees in Education, Personal Management, and National Security and Strategic Studies from Duke University, Salve Regina and the Naval War College. His military schooling includes the Infantry Officer Basic Course, Ranger School, Armor Officer Advanced Course, Armed Forces Staff College, and the Naval War College.

General Schwartz served as a platoon leader and executive officer with the 508th Infantry at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, in 1968 and as a platoon leader and company commander in Vietnam with the 82nd Airborne Division in 1969. Later he served three years as a tactical officer at West Point, followed by a tour in the Republic of Korea as Battalion S-3 of the 1st Battalion, 31st Infantry (Mechanized). From 1978 to 1981, General Schwartz served as a personnel management officer in Washington, D.C. He then served as the executive officer, 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry, and division inspector for 1st Armored Division. In May 1983, he took command of 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry at Illesheim, Germany. After graduating from the Naval War College in 1986, General Schwartz served as Chief, Infantry Branch, and then Chief, Combat Arms Division, U.S. Military Personnel Center. In June 1988, General Schwartz took command of the 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division (mechanized), Fort Carson, Colorado, and in May 1990, he assumed the position of Division Chief of Staff.

General Schwartz then served as Chief of Staff, Combined Field Army (ROK/U.S.), Republic of Korea, and in July 1992, he became the Assistant Division Commander, 2nd Infantry Division. On October 22, 1993, General Schwartz took command of Fort Carson and the 4th Infantry Division (Mechanized) where he served until taking command of III Corps and Fort Hood on December 6, 1995. On August 31, 1998, General Schwartz assumed command of U.S. Army Forces Command at Fort McPherson, Georgia.

His awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal.