Tom Montgomery
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant General
Thomas M. Montgomery was a US Army officer who served as the deputy commander of UNOSOM I
, UNITAF
, and UNOSOM II
in the Somali Civil War
. He once referred to Mogadishu
as the "Temple of Doom".
, Indiana on January 23, 1941 and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Slavic Languages and Literature from Indiana University
in 1963, when he was also commissioned a second lieutenant of Armor. He holds a Master of Arts degree in Management from Central Michigan University
. He is a member of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
’s Seminar 21, attended the Center for Creative Leadership Program, and Harvard’s Program for Senior Managers in Government. His military education includes completion of the Armor School, United States Armed Forces Staff College, the Army War College, and the Capstone Course for joint flag officers.
Montgomery held a number of key positions throughout his career, including:
He served concurrently as Commander of US Forces in Somalia and Deputy Commander of United Nations Forces in Somalia (UNOSOM II) from March 9, 1993 to March 28, 1994. He was also Commander of the Joint Task Force in Somalia during his final four months there.
Montgomery was the 20th officer to serve as United States Military Representative to the NATO Military Committee in Brussels
, Belgium
. As the USMILREP for three years, he was the permanent representative of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on NATO’s highest military body during a defining period of change and challenge for the North Atlantic Alliance in the wake of the Cold War
.
Lieutenant General Thomas M. Montgomery retired from active duty on December 1, 1997 after 34 years of service.
Lieutenant General (United States)
In the United States Army, the United States Air Force and the United States Marine Corps, lieutenant general is a three-star general officer rank, with the pay grade of O-9. Lieutenant general ranks above major general and below general...
Thomas M. Montgomery was a US Army officer who served as the deputy commander of UNOSOM I
UNOSOM I
United Nations Operation in Somalia I was the first part of a United Nations sponsored effort to provide, facilitate, and secure humanitarian relief in Somalia, as well as to monitor the first UN-brokered ceasefire of the Somali Civil War conflict in the early 1990s.The operation was established...
, UNITAF
UNITAF
Unified Task Force was a United States-led, United Nations-sanctioned multinational force which operated in Somalia between 5 December 1992 – 4 May 1993...
, and UNOSOM II
UNOSOM II
United Nations Operation in Somalia II was the second phase of the United Nations intervention in Somalia, from March 1993 until March 1995....
in the Somali Civil War
Somali Civil War
The Somali Civil War is an ongoing civil war taking place in Somalia. The conflict, which began in 1991, has caused destabilisation throughout the country, with the current phase of the conflict seeing the Somali government losing substantial control of the state to rebel forces...
. He once referred to Mogadishu
Mogadishu
Mogadishu , popularly known as Xamar, is the largest city in Somalia and the nation's capital. Located in the coastal Benadir region on the Indian Ocean, the city has served as an important port for centuries....
as the "Temple of Doom".
Early life and education
Thomas M. Montgomery was born in IndianapolisIndianapolis
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
, Indiana on January 23, 1941 and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Slavic Languages and Literature from Indiana University
Indiana University
Indiana University is a multi-campus public university system in the state of Indiana, United States. Indiana University has a combined student body of more than 100,000 students, including approximately 42,000 students enrolled at the Indiana University Bloomington campus and approximately 37,000...
in 1963, when he was also commissioned a second lieutenant of Armor. He holds a Master of Arts degree in Management from Central Michigan University
Central Michigan University
Central Michigan University is a public research university located in Mount Pleasant in the U.S. state of Michigan...
. He is a member of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. MIT has five schools and one college, containing a total of 32 academic departments, with a strong emphasis on scientific and technological education and research.Founded in 1861 in...
’s Seminar 21, attended the Center for Creative Leadership Program, and Harvard’s Program for Senior Managers in Government. His military education includes completion of the Armor School, United States Armed Forces Staff College, the Army War College, and the Capstone Course for joint flag officers.
Military career
Montgomery served two tours in Vietnam, first as a Troop Commander in the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment and second as a staff officer in the 23d Infantry Division (Americal), and at US Army Headquarters in Vietnam.Montgomery held a number of key positions throughout his career, including:
- Director of Management, Office of the Chief of Staff, US Army
- Deputy Director of Strategy, Plans and Policy, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans, US Army
- Assistant Division Commander (Support), 8th Infantry Division (Mechanized), and Mainz Community Commander, US Army, Europe
- Deputy Defense Advisor and Military Advisor to the US Ambassador (Permanent Representative) to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
- Commander, 1st Brigade, 1st Armored Division, US Army Europe
- Inspector General, 21st Support Command, US Army Europe
- Commander, 2d Battalion, 34th Armor34th Armor Regiment (United States)The 34th Armor Regiment is an armored regiment of the United States Army formed in 1941.-Lineage:Constituted 28 August 1941 in the Regular Army as the 34th Armored Regiment and assigned to the 5th Armored Division...
, 4th Infantry Division (Mechanized), Fort Carson, Colorado
He served concurrently as Commander of US Forces in Somalia and Deputy Commander of United Nations Forces in Somalia (UNOSOM II) from March 9, 1993 to March 28, 1994. He was also Commander of the Joint Task Force in Somalia during his final four months there.
Montgomery was the 20th officer to serve as United States Military Representative to the NATO Military Committee in Brussels
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
, Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
. As the USMILREP for three years, he was the permanent representative of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on NATO’s highest military body during a defining period of change and challenge for the North Atlantic Alliance in the wake of the Cold War
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
.
Lieutenant General Thomas M. Montgomery retired from active duty on December 1, 1997 after 34 years of service.
Honors and Awards
Montgomery received a number of awards and decorations, including:- Defense Distinguished Service MedalDefense Distinguished Service MedalThe Defense Distinguished Service Medal is a United States military award which is presented for exceptionally distinguished performance of duty contributing to national security or defense of the United States...
with two oak leaf clusters - Silver StarSilver StarThe Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
- Army Distinguished Service Medal
- Bronze Star with Combat "V" device and three oak leaf clusters for achievement
- Air MedalAir MedalThe Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:...
- Meritorious Service MedalMeritorious Service Medal (United States)The Meritorious Service Medal is a military decoration presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969...
with two oak leaf clusters - Army Commendation Medal
- United Nations MedalUnited Nations MedalThe term United Nations Medal refers to one of several international decorations which are issued by the United Nations to the various militaries of the world for participation in joint international military and police operations such as peacekeeping, humanitarian efforts, and disaster relief...
- Knight Commander’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
- Honor Cross in Silver of the German Armed Forces