A salute to General Leon LaPorte ’68 It’s comforting to know that in these troubled times a URI alumnus has one of the highest leadership roles in the U.S. Army. Leon LaPorte, a 1968 alumnus, is now a four star general. He was nominated for the post by President George W. Bush and assigned as commander in chief, United Nations Command/Combined Forces Command/ Commanding General, U.S. Forces Korea. The Senate confirmed LaPorte’s appointment in April.
The Providence native brings 34 years of military experience to his new command. Known as a soldier’s soldier, a no nonsense leader, the general has a reputation for possessing a Patton-like tenaciousness. LaPorte, who is shown sitting on one of URI’s Vietnam memorial granite benches during a visit to the campus in 1999, will be responsible for more than 600,000 active-duty personnel from each of the services, including American and Korean service members.
Commissioned an armor officer, LaPorte was sent to Vietnam in 1971, where he served as platoon leader and executive officer in the 238th Aerial Weapons Company. He also served as chief of staff for the 1st Cavalry Division during Operation Desert Storm.
By Jan Wenzel
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