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41st Quartermaster General
Major General Paul J. Vanderploog
Quartermaster General | July 1989 - June 1991
He was commissioned a second lieutenant and awarded a Bachelor of Science Degree from Syracuse University in 1963. He also holds a Master of Science Degree in Business Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University. His military education includes the Infantry Officer Basic Course, Quartermaster Officer Advanced Course, the Marine Corps Command and Staff College, and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.
He has held a wide variety of important command and staff positions. Other key assignments held include duty as Commander and Deputy Commander, 2d Corps Support Command, United States Army Europe; and Commander, 3d Infantry Division Support Command, United States Army Europe.
General Vanderploog served in a variety of career building assignments preparatory to his most recent duties. He commanded the Aerial Equipment Support Company, 15th S&S Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division, Republic of Vietnam, throughout 1968 and returned to Vietnam as the Executive Officer, J4, Military Assistance Command, in 1972. In 1974, he was assigned to the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for logistics, Department of the Army. While serving in this capacity, General Vanderploog was selected to serve as a Military Assistant to the Under Secretary of the Army.
Returning to serve with the United States Army Europe in 1978, he assumed command of the 8th Supply and Transport Battalion, 8th Infantry Division, and subsequently served as the division's Assistant Chief of Staff, G4.
He served as Quartermaster General from July 1989 to June 1991. General Vanderploog then became Director of Logistics and Security Assistance for the US Central Command (1991-1994) and also served as Director, Logistics and Security Assistance, US European Command.
His awards and decorations include Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal (with Oak leaf Cluster), Meritorious Service Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), Air Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), the Commanders Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, Parachutist Badge, Rigger Badge, and the Army Staff Identification Badge.