Charles C. "Hondo" Campbell
General, U.S. Army

Charles C. Campbell earned his commission through ROTC at Louisiana State University in 1970. His initial assignment was as an instructor at the Infantry Training Command (Provisional), U.S. Army Training Center Infantry at Fort Ord, CA.

After Special Forces training, Campbell went on to teach tactics at Forces Armeé National Khmere Training Command, Army Advisory Group, Phouc Tuy Training Battalion, U.S. Army, Vietnam. He subsequently served as an A-Detachment Executive Officer and Commander in Vietnam. His succeeding commands include a Combat Support Company in the 2d Armored Division, Fort Hood, TX; an armor battalion in the 3d Armored Division, U.S. Army Europe and a heavy brigade in the 2d Infantry Division, Eighth Army, Korea. He was also the Commanding General of the 7th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, CO, and the Commanding General, Eighth Army, Republic of Korea.

Campbell's many staff assignments include service as Operations Officer, 3-63 Armor, Augsburg, Germany; Chief, Exercise Branch, 3d Infantry Division, Wuerzburg, Germany; Plans and Operations Officer, Combined Field Army, Republic of Korea; Senior Task Force Observer/Controller and later Deputy Commander, Operations Group, Combat Maneuver Training Center, Hohenfels, Germany; Chief of Staff, 2d Infantry Division (Mechanized), Eighth Army, Korea; Assistant Division Commander, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, TX; Chief of Staff, I Corps and Fort Lewis, Fort Lewis, WA; Deputy Commanding General, Third Army, Fort McPherson, GA; Chief of Staff, U.S. Army Europe and Seventh Army, Germany; Chief of Staff, U.S. Central Command; and Chief of Staff, United Nations Command, Combined Forces Command, and U.S. Forces Korea.

From 26 April 2006 to 8 January 2007, Campbell served as Deputy Commanding General and Chief of Staff, U.S. Army Forces Command (FORSCOM). On 9 January 2007, he became the 17th Commanding General of U.S. Army Forces Command and completed that assignment on 3 June 2010.

General Charles C. Campbell retired from active Army service in 2010.

Campbell has a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Louisiana State University and a Master's degree of Military Art and Science from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. He has attended a wide variety of military schools, culminating with his graduation from the Army War College in 1991.

Medals and Awards

Army Distinguished Service Medal
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit with 3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Bronze Star Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with Silver Oak Leaf Cluster
Army Commendation Medal with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Army Achievement Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Army Service Ribbon
Army Overseas Service Ribbon
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Parachutist Badge
Special Forces Tab

"It is my hope that in years to come - - when soldiers gather around the watch fire--and as soldiers are apt to do--speak of past battles and old comrades--they will say of me that he was a soldier who never shirked a duty, was cheerful in all weathers, endured the rigors of the campaign trail without complaint--that he was a soldier, he stood in the "vanguard" and never sought the safety of the "interior rank" - - that he was a soldier who fought the good fight, who finished the race, and who kept the faith" ~ General Charles "Hondo" Campbell