John Michael "Mick" Bednarek is a retired United States Army officer. He was chief of the United States Office of Security Cooperation in Iraq and former commander of the United States First Army.[2][3][4] Bednarek took command of the First Army on April 6, 2011, from Lieutenant General Thomas G. Miller and was succeeded as commanding officer by Major General Kevin R. Wendel on March 14, 2013 (interim), with Lieutenant General Michael S. Tucker succeeding Bednarek as permanent commander on August 2, 2013.[1][3][5][6]
John Michael Bednarek | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Bednarek in 2011 | |
| Nickname(s) | Mick |
| Born | London, United Kingdom[1] |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service | United States Army[2] |
| Years of service | 1975–2015 |
| Rank | Lieutenant General |
| Commands | Office of Security Cooperation-Iraq United States First Army 25th Infantry Division |
| Battles / wars | Iraq War |
| Awards | Defense Distinguished Service Medal Army Distinguished Service Medal Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit (5) |
Military career
editBednarek received his commission through an Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps program upon his graduation from Old Dominion University.[1][2] He has held commands within every level of the Army, ranging from platoon to field army.[2] Bednarek has also served as the Chief of the Training Group at the Joint Warfighting Center, the Chief of the Operations Group at the Joint Readiness Training Center, and Commander of the 4th Training Brigade.[2] In June 2008 Bednarek was given command of the First Army's East Division and on April 6, 2011, Bednarek took command of the United States First Army.[1][3][7] He served as commander of the First Army until March 14, 2013, when he was assigned as Chief of the Office of Security Cooperation (OSC) in Iraq.[3] As OSC chief, Bednarek was the highest ranking American military officer in Iraq and was involved in US efforts against the Islamic State in the Iraqi Civil War.[8] Bednarek has also attended Troy State University where he received a MS in personnel management and administration,[9] the US Army Command and General Staff College, and the US Army War College.[2] Bednarek retired from service on July 24, 2015.[10]
Awards and decorations
edit
 Defense Distinguished Service Medal
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 Army Distinguished Service Medal
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 Defense Superior Service Medal
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  Legion of Merit with four bronze oak leaf clusters
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 Defense Meritorious Service Medal
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 Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
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 Army Achievement Medal
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 |
 |
 Meritorious Unit Commendation
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 Army Superior Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters
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 Iraq Campaign Medal
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 Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
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 Humanitarian Service Medal
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 Army Service Ribbon
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 Army Overseas Service Ribbon with unidentified award numeral
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References
edit- ^ a b c d Smith, Johanna (August 14, 2012). "Lieutenant General J. Michael Bednarek, Commanding General, First Army". Rotary Club of Davenport. Retrieved 11 February 2017.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Lieutenant General John M. Bednarek" (PDF). United States Army. Retrieved 11 February 2017.
- ^ a b c d "Lt. Gen. Mick Bednarek to relinquish command of First Army". Moline Dispatch & Rock Island Argus. March 4, 2013. Retrieved 11 February 2017.
- ^ "Blog: Bednarek Assigned to Office of Security Cooperation-Iraq". Afcea International. SIGNAL Media. 11 March 2013. Retrieved 11 February 2017.
- ^ Rodesky-Flores, Danette (April 7, 2011). "Bednarek takes command of First Army". US Army. Retrieved 11 February 2017.
- ^ Lamansky, Katrina (August 2, 2013). "Lt. Gen. Tucker assumes command of First Army in Rock Island". WQAD-8. Retrieved 11 February 2017.
- ^ Bieltz, Brandon (March 11, 2011). "Bednarek to lead First Army Division East and West". US Army. Retrieved 12 February 2017.
- ^ Tan, Michelle (August 7, 2014). "Top U.S. officer in Iraq: 'We must neutralize this enemy'". Military Times. Archived from the original on 7 August 2014. Retrieved 12 February 2017.
- ^ "Bednarek, John "Mick"". National Defense University. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
- ^ "Lt. Gen. John M. Bednarek retirement". US Army. July 24, 2015. Retrieved 12 February 2017.
