Alumni Biography 1951 - 1975
1958
LTC Raymond L. "Jack" Jackson, Jr.
The following is from an obituary posted in the Laramie Boomerang:
Lt. Col. (Ret.) Raymond L. "Jack" Jackson Jr., 72, Marietta, Ga., died Thursday, April 17, 2008.
He graduated from Laramie High School in 1953. He was a distinguished military graduate from the University of Wyoming in 1958. Following graduation, he joined the U.S. Army as a second lieutenant - serving 23 years - where he rose in rank to lieutenant colonel. He served two tours in Vietnam, one tour in Korea, and was awarded two Bronze stars and meritorious service for both USA and Vietnam.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Jean and Ray. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Nancy; a daughter, Amy
Diemer; a son, Eric Jackson; and two grandchildren, Jennifer and Brian Diemer.
A graveside service in Laramie is pending. Memorial contributions may be made to the Arthritis Foundation, 1330 W. Peachtree NW, Atlanta, GA 30309.
1962
COL (Ret) Les Brownlee
Mr. Les Brownlee became the 27th Under Secretary of the Army on November 14, 2001, following his nomination by President George W. Bush and confirmation by the United States Senate. Since May 10, 2003, he has served as Acting Secretary of the Army. As Acting Secretary of the Army, Mr. Brownlee fulfills statutory responsibilities for recruiting, organizing, supplying, equipping, training and mobilizing the Army and managing its $80 billion annual budget and more than 1.3 million active duty, National Guard, Army Reserve and civilian personnel. Mr. Brownlee served on the Republican staff of the Senate Armed Services Committee beginning in January 1987, under both Sen. Strom Thurmond and Sen. John Warner. From 1987 to 1996, he was the Principal Senate Armed Services Committee Professional Staff Member responsible for Army and Marine Corps programs, special operations forces and drug interdiction policy and support. In addition, as Deputy Staff Director, he was deeply involved in policies and programs relating to ballistic missile defense, strategic deterrence and naval strategy, shipbuilding and weapons programs.
In March, 1996, Mr. Brownlee was designated Staff Director of the Senate Committee on Armed Services by then Chairman, Sen. Thurmond. In January, 1999, he was designated Staff Director for then Chairman, Sen. Warner, serving through the recent change in control of the Senate.
Mr. Brownlee is a retired Army colonel. He was commissioned in 1962 as a lieutenant in the infantry through the ROTC program at the University of Wyoming. He is a distinguished honor graduate of the U.S. Army Ranger Course, an honor graduate of both the Infantry Officer Advanced Course and the Command and General Staff College, and a graduate of the Army's airborne course as well as the U.S. Army War College. Mr. Brownlee served two tours in Vietnam. During the last two and a half years of a four and a half year tour in the Pentagon, before retiring in 1984, he was Military Executive to Under Secretary of the Army James Ambrose.
His military decorations include the Silver Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Bronze Star with two Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Purple Heart. He holds a masters degree in business administration from the University of Alabama.
1969
GEN Peter J. Schoomaker
General
Schoomaker became the 35th Chief of Staff, United States Army, on August 1,
2003.
General Schoomaker graduated from the University of Wyoming in 1969 with a
Bachelor of Science Degree. He also holds a Master of Arts Degree in Management
from Central Michigan University, and an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from
Hampden-Sydney College. General Schoomaker's military education includes the
Marine Corps Amphibious Warfare School, the United States Army Command and
General Staff College, the National War College, and the John F. Kennedy School
of Government Program for Senior Executives in National and International
Security Management.
Prior to his current assignment, General Schoomaker spent 31 years in a variety
of command and staff assignments with both conventional and special operations
forces. He participated in numerous deployment operations, including DESERT ONE
in Iran, URGENT FURY in Grenada, JUST CAUSE in Panama, DESERT SHIELD/DESERT
STORM in Southwest Asia, UPHOLD DEMOCRACY in Haiti, and supported various
worldwide joint contingency operations, including those in the Balkans.
Early in his career, General Schoomaker was a Reconnaissance Platoon Leader and
Rifle Company Commander with 2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry, and a Cavalry Troop
Commander with 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment in Germany. He then served in Korea
as the S-3 Operations Officer of 1st Battalion, 73rd Armor, 2nd Infantry
Division. From 1978 to 1981, he commanded a Squadron in the 1st Special Forces
Operational Detachment - D. Following Army Command and General Staff College,
General Schoomaker served as the Squadron Executive Officer, 2nd Squadron, 2nd
Armored Cavalry Regiment in Germany. In August 1983, he returned to Fort Bragg,
North Carolina, to serve as Special Operations Officer, J-3, Joint Special
Operations Command. From August 1985 to August 1988, General Schoomaker
commanded another Squadron in the 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment - D.
Following the National War College, he returned as the Commander, 1st Special
Forces Operational Detachment - D from June 1989 to July 1992. Subsequently,
General Schoomaker served as the Assistant Division Commander of the 1st Cavalry
Division, Fort Hood, Texas, followed by a tour in the Headquarters, Department
of the Army staff as the Deputy Director for Operations, Readiness and
Mobilization.
General Schoomaker served as the Commanding General of the Joint Special
Operations Command from July 1994 to August 1996, followed by command of the
United States Army Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg, North Carolina
through October 1997. His most recent assignment prior to assuming duties as the
Army Chief of Staff was as Commander in Chief, United States Special Operations
Command at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, from November 1997 to November 2000.
General Schoomaker's awards and decorations include the Defense Distinguished
Service Medal, two Army Distinguished Service Medals, four Defense Superior
Service Medals, three Legions of Merit, two Bronze Star Medals, two Defense
Meritorious Service Medals, three Meritorious Service Medals, the Joint Service
Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge,
Master Parachutist Badge and HALO Wings, the Special Forces Tab, and the Ranger
Tab.
General Schoomaker and his wife have two daughters and one son.
Lieutenant Colonel Dan Krynovich
Class of 1971
LTC Dan Krynovich graduated from the University of Wyoming in 1971 He served in the Air Defense Artillery for almost 25 years. He is retired from active duty and lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado with his wife, Eva. They have one son, Matt.