LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Major General Stephen J. Townsend upon
the occasion of his selection as 10th Mountain Division Commander

WHEREAS, Members of the Armed Services from the State of New York, who
have served so valiantly and honorably in wars in which this country's
freedom was at stake, as well as in the preservation of peace in peace-
time, deserve a special salute from this Legislative Body; and
WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to commend those
who have served in times of active conflict, as well as those who have
served in times of peace; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Major General
Stephen J. Townsend upon the occasion of his selection as 10th Mountain
Division Commander, celebrated at a change-of-command Ceremony on
Monday, December 3, 2012, at the Magrath Sports Complex in Watertown,
New York; and
WHEREAS, Major General Stephen J. Townsend graduated from North Geor-
gia College in 1982, and was commissioned through ROTC; and
WHEREAS, Major General Townsend has had two previous tours with the
10th Mountain Division (LI); his initial assignment was with the 82d
Airborne Division where he served as a platoon leader, executive officer
and assistant S3 in the 2d Battalion (Airborne), 505th Infantry and
deployed for Operation Urgent Fury, Grenada; and
WHEREAS, After the Infantry Officer Advanced Course, Major General
Stephen J. Townsend was assigned to the 7th Infantry Division (Light) at
Fort Ord, California where he served as the battalion S3 of 4th Battal-
ion, 21st Infantry and commanded Alpha Company; and
WHEREAS, Major General Stephen J. Townsend was then reassigned to Fort
Benning, Georgia, where he served as the S3 (Air) and assistant S3 at
HQs, 75th Ranger Regiment, deployed for Operation Just Cause, Panama and
commanded Charlie Company, 3d Ranger Battalion; and
WHEREAS, Upon completion of the Command and General Staff College,
Major General Stephen J. Townsend returned to Fort Benning where he
served as Senior Liaison Officer at Ranger Regiment HQs and S3 of the 3d
Ranger Battalion and deployed for Operation Uphold Democracy, Haiti; and
WHEREAS, Major General Stephen J. Townsend was then assigned to United
States Pacific Command, Hawaii as a J-5 Action Officer and later as
Special Assistant to the Commander; and
WHEREAS, Reassigned to Fort Drum, New York, Major General Stephen J.
Townsend was S3 of 2nd Brigade, 78th Division (Training Support), Fort
Drum, New York before taking command of the Polar Bears of 4th Battal-
ion, 31st Infantry, 10th Mountain Division (Light); and
WHEREAS, Major General Stephen J. Townsend led Task Force Polar Bear
to Afghanistan for Operation Anaconda; and
WHEREAS, After the War College, Major General Stephen J. Townsend
returned to Fort Drum where he served as the Division G3, 10th Mountain
Division (Light) and then Director of Operations, C/J3, Combined Joint
Task Force-180, Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan; and
WHEREAS, Major General Stephen J. Townsend was next assigned to Fort
Lewis, Washington, where he served as the Commander, 3d Stryker Brigade
Combat Team, 2d Infantry Division and led Task Force Arrowhead on offen-
sive operations across Iraq; and
WHEREAS, Next, Major General Stephen J. Townsend was Executive officer
to the Commander, United States Central Command, Tampa, Florida; he then
served as the Senior Commander at Fort Campbell, Kentucky and later
Deputy Commanding General (Operations), 101st Airborne Division (Air
Assault) and CJTF-101 in Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan; and

WHEREAS, Major General Stephen J. Townsend's most recent assignment
was as Director, Pakistan/Afghanistan Coordination cell, Joint Staff,
Washington, DC; and
WHEREAS, Major General Stephen J. Townsend's education includes a
Bachelor's degree in Psychology and two Master's degrees; and
WHEREAS, Major General Townsend's awards and decorations include the
Combat Infantryman Badge (with star), Combat Action Badge, Expert Infan-
tryman Badge, Master Parachutist and Air Assault Badges and Ranger Tab;
and
WHEREAS, Having exhibited his patriotism both at home and abroad,
Major General Stephen J. Townsend has demonstrated his love for his
country and merits forevermore, the highest respect of his State and
Nation; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Major General Stephen J. Townsend upon the occasion of his
selection as 10th Mountain Division Commander; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Major General Stephen J. Townsend.